Chicken Run: Eggstraction is a fun, tongue-in-cheek adventure that took me by surprise. Not only was the action more testing than I expected, but the plot was genuinely hilarious. I should have expected nothing less, as one of the writers from the smash hit film, Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget, led the writing team.
This stealth adventure game was developed by Aardman Animations and published by Outright Games. It is a single-player and local cooperative title that plays out from an isometric viewpoint. Furthermore, each level is set in a maze-like world filled with obstacles, traps, and guards. Consequently, you must use each chicken’s ability to avoid detection, overcome problems, and save every chicken.
Chicken Run: Eggstraction tells endless yolks!
Chicken Run: Eggstraction proves that humour doesn’t have to be smutty, rude, or close to the line. Instead, the witty moments, perfect timing, and amusing characters will make you smile from beginning to end. Though there is drama, excitement, and danger, it is the comedy that makes the story and game shine.
You control each of the lead characters from the Chicken Run series. The plot continues the story of the 2023 film with some nice, unexpected twists and turns. There are some new villains to overcome and a cameo appearance from everyone’s favourite inventor and dog pairing. As the chicken heroes move through each stage, you must rescue captured chickens and thwart the plans of every evil menace you face.
Simple mechanics.
The premise behind Chicken Run: Eggstraction is remarkably simple. You must explore farms and factories as you hope to rescue your captured sisters. En route, there are rudimentary puzzles to overcome, switches to flick, doors to open, and guards to avoid. Moreover, there are robot dogs, CCTV, and other security measures to avoid.
As you free the chooks, you must guide them past any remaining obstacles. This is easier said than done, as they walk a predetermined path. Subsequently, if you are not careful, they will walk into grinders, trigger CCTV cameras, or attract the attention of the local robodog.
Each stage has cogs and corn to collect that can be used to buy equipment. This equipment can distract your foes or help you hide. Additionally, there is a scoring system of 3 stars per stage. The stars can unlock new heroes or upgrade your defensive and offensive abilities. This simple progression system won’t blow you away, but it adds a nice level of depth that works particularly well.
Chicken Run: Eggstraction feels like you are watching a movie.
Chicken Run: Eggstraction is a game of two halves. The core action is understated and relatively dated. This isn’t a complaint, as the animation is smooth and the character models are pleasant to the eye. On top of this, the level design is good, well-considered, and fun to explore. However, it is the cinematic that makes this pop. The cutscenes are brilliantly created, and portions of the game feel like you are watching a movie. This helps to deliver the plot and is a pleasant way to bridge the gap between each stage.
The audio is absolutely hilarious. The accents, dialogue, and comedy timing are perfect. I adore the stupidity of the chickens and the wholesome nature of the silly ideas. Though much of the action is thwarted by danger, the excellent acting adds a layer of lighthearted fun.
Brilliant controls.
I hoped that this would be a game aimed towards younger gamers. However, this isn’t the case. Chicken Run: Eggstraction is easy to master, but I think the planning and occasional fast-paced action make it a viable option for anyone older than 13 years of age.
Chicken Run: Eggstraction has a handful of fortified farms to explore. Each one is larger and more complex than the last. Additionally, the evil villains love to make an appearance to keep you on your toes. If you are a completionist, you’ll need to invest some time to achieve a 3-star rating across the board. Alternatively, you could rush through each arena and complete this in under 7 hours.
Chicken Run: Eggstraction is a brilliant stealth adventure.
I adore this franchise and love its silly ways. As such, Chicken Run: Eggstraction was always likely to tickle my fancy. Though the core mechanics are rudimentary, I like the stealth elements and avoiding every guard. Furthermore, the puzzles are interesting without driving you to distraction. Accordingly, this is a brilliant stealth adventure game, and I recommend buying it here! Can you help your fellow chooks? Pick your team of chickens, master your abilities, and leave no chicken behind!
