Wuppo has been in development (by Netherland studio Knuist & Perzik) since 2012. It is finally coming to Steam in September, but there is still one question that remains. What is Wuppo? Is it something you should be interested in? Wuppo is a new independent RPG set in a unique world. It blends RPG elements and immersive puzzles with all sorts of things to collect. Here is a preview of what to look forward to when Wuppo releases on Steam.
It should be noted that as of the preview version, Wuppo has no controller support (despite the developer blog saying that controller support is being worked on). Additionally, while there are volume controls in the game’s option menu, adjusting the volume does not work and will need to be done manually via the volume mixer on your computer. BagoGames has reached out to SOEDESCO (Wuppo’s publisher) for more information on whether Gamepad support will be in the final Wuppo release.
UPDATE: After reaching out to publisher SOEDESCO for comment, it has been confirmed that while not in the preview version, Wuppo’s final release will contain gamepad support, a much-needed addition that will make Wuppo more accessible.
Wuppo puts you on a journey as a young Wum (a round fuzzy creature) who finds himself thrown from his home and forced to venture off into the wild. Your main character can collect items and will gain new abilities over time, though he/she originally only starts with a jump and double jump option, as well as the capability to duck and move back and forth.
Along your journey, fighting enemies, solving puzzles and navigating the world, you can collect filmstrips. Filmstrips can be played on any projector to give you information about the world the Wums live in, as well as providing other interesting information. Coins are also collectible, which can be used to buy items like food to restore health, as well as other helpful items.
At first glance, Wuppo has a very Paper Mario-esque sort of aesthetic. Everything is colorful and cute. There are interesting characters, goofy jokes, and everything is lighthearted and fun. As you play, however, things get more difficult. You are quickly given a paintball gun called a “GumGumGun” which you use to damage enemies. Combat is difficult if you aren’t good at moving and shooting at the same time, but is easily managed with practice.
Combat is frantic, as you need to keep track of the range of your gun while also staying away from other enemy combatants. There are other items and weapons that can be found throughout the world, but your GumGumGun will be the one you likely use the most. Other items will be used for puzzle solving and progressing through environments, giving a metroidvania feel that is both cute and interesting.
I found myself really enjoying this preview. The game brings back the days of RPG progression that requires the use of items and puzzle solving. It also brings together metroidvania combat, and whimsical style from games like Tomba! and Paper Mario. If it only had controller support, Wuppo would be much more fun and imaginative. Sadly, without controller support, Wuppo is somewhat clunky and frustrating to play.
Visually Wuppo is a treat, with unique and colorful visuals and a minimalistic UI that is intuitive and interesting. The sounds and whimsical atmosphere are definitely their own and although there are no voiceovers the sounds add a classic sort of feel to Wuppo. There is a lot to see and experience in this game, and despite the lack of gamepad support putting a damper on that, Wuppo is a game that I eagerly found myself immersed in.
I greatly enjoyed the weird, wild world that the developers have created, but the controls of the game make it less of a classic experience and more of a great idea not executed well. Boss fights and more intense combat encounters are stressful enough without controller support, and can easily turn something manageable into a frustrating ordeal.
When Wuppo releases, if they fix the issues presented above, players can look forward to a great action and puzzle RPG experience. Wuppo is friendly for kids and adults alike; so the family can dive into the whimsical world of Wuppo together!
UPDATE: Previously it was stated that Knuist & Perzik had been working on Wuppo since 2015. The developers contacted us and stated that it was ACTUALLY started back in 2012. The developers were in college together and that is when the story of Wuppo’s development began. This was corrected in the Preview.