Bulb Boy (Nintendo Switch) Review

To a certain degree, yes, it does, unfortunately. Bulb Boy starts off with scenes that seem perfect for touch in handheld mode, or on-screen pointer controls on the big screen, both of which Switch has. However, instead players are forced to get used to a new control system that is more awkward to use and totally removes this from the point-and-click genre, meaning it is currently being incorrectly advertised and fans of said genre will no doubt be disappointed.

That aside, though, the game itself does begin in quite an intriguing manner, introducing its bulb-headed protagonist, showing how he can wander around, interacting with objects around the initial living room setting, before completing a few tasks and then moving onto the next room, this time to take part in some timing-based gameplay. Point-and-click adventures tend to focus on the collection of items, manipulation of them, and then correct usage in different scenarios. What happens in Bulb Boy, however, is that the deeper you delve, the more it becomes apparent that this is not what most would deem a point-and-click adventure at all. Instead, it is more of a puzzle-platformer, exploring areas to find out what timed-trigger is required next, and even taking part in various boss battles (expect to die and then get caught waiting for the scene to play out slowly before the screen finally decides to reload).

Okay, so forget the genre labelling for now. How does it shape up in its own right? Well, sadly the element of actually solving puzzles is watered down, relying on simple running back and forth to avoid an enemy or trap, hitting certain triggers before dashing back and forth again until complete. Yes, it feels as laborious as it sounds, and is even more tiresome thanks to the slow movement of using the analogue stick. More often than not it will be wrenched to one side in the hope of squeezing a tiny amount of extra speed from the bulb-headed lead. It is especially frustrating when comparing videos of how stress-free certain sections were in the PC version to how irksome they can be using a combination of analogue stick and face buttons - one specific inhaling-related boss battle springs to mind, along with the navigation of some gnashing teeth.

It does have its redeeming moments, and there are some fresh ideas included, like being able to launch Bulb Boy's head onto overhanging lights, squeezing into the carcass of different animals when body-less, using his head to light up dark areas, and so on, but the ideas are never fully fleshed out. There are clever ideas in here, but they really needed to be expanded upon, and the control system definitely needs a re-think, perhaps patching in touch for handheld mode and pointer controls for docked mode. With this being a multi-platform console release, though, the chances of a Switch-specific patch might not be high on the agenda.