Space Otter Charlie is a great example of the freedom afforded to indie developers looking to experiment with fresh but risky ideas. Created by developer Wayward Distractions and published by The Quantum Astrophysicists Guild, the game is a puzzle-platformer set in space, where players take control of an adorable otter navigating through a variety of abandoned space stations, asteroids, and other weird locations.
With Space Otter Charlie taking place in the gravity-free confines of space, getting around is not a simple process. The main challenge in the game comes from being able to carefully move through the different areas, avoiding enemies and obstacles along the way. The best analogy to describe the way that players maneuver is like swimming through water, with Charlie’s movements having a floaty feeling to them that lacks precision - a great premise given the protagonist's natural affinity for swimming.
For some, this might be frustrating at first, as platform games usually need responsive controls so players can move around almost on instinct, knowing exactly what each button press will correspond to. While that is not the case in Space Otter Charlie, it is by design rather than an act of sloppiness. The very act of maneuvering through space is what Space Otter Charlie is built around. Of course, this does mean there are some exasperating moments where it seems impossible to get through a tight or twisting area, yet these are exceptionally rare and don’t sour the experience.
In terms of levels, Space Otter Charlie sees players traversing through a variety of different locations. Each area has its own set of enemies to defeat and traps to avoid, giving players a nice range of challenges. The different environments also ensure that boredom does not set in by visiting the same sort of locations that all look similar. The title also has a Metroidvania influence, forcing players to collect keys and backtrack to open up new areas.
The final big gameplay element is the various upgrades on offer. While out exploring, Charlie will find all sorts of resources that can be collected and taken back to the hub base to build upgrades. Some of these are entirely necessary, with puzzles being impossible to complete without them, while others provide a welcome boost that is not strictly needed but is certainly helpful. Space Otter Charlie might be something of a letdown for those who love complex problems to solve, however. The vast majority of puzzles are simple endeavors that require players to block lasers or manipulate platforms by hitting switches with the correct weapon.
The story of Space Otter Charlie takes inspiration from real worlds problems surrounding climate change catastrophe. In this fictional future, humans have abandoned Earth after temperatures soared, leaving behind all the animals to fend for themselves. Fortunately, a group of otters has created a space program from the scrap left behind by humanity and intends to explore space in an attempt to find a new home.
To be honest, the narrative in Space Otter Charlie really doesn’t matter all that much as the focus is entirely placed upon the gameplay. The story is used more as a quick introduction to the world and to provide a bit of color to what’s going on as players hit the buttons they're supposed to. It won't give players much in the way of motivation, or even a compelling background plot, and even the brief moments of dialog can be skipped through without any consequence.
None of that takes away from the game itself, though, as Space Otter Charlie is a title that lives on the quality of its gameplay. Fortunately, there is enough here to make this an easy recommendation for any platforming enthusiasts thanks to the satisfying movement, bright and cheerful characters, and diverse levels. Although it only features simple puzzles and can be 100% completed in a little over four hours, Space Otter Charlie feels like a complete experience that is almost always enjoyable and doesn’t outstay its welcome.
Space Otter Charlie is available on Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. Screen Rant was provided with a digital code for the Xbox One version of the game for the purposes of this review.