Tamarin brings mascot platforming nostalgia to PS4 and PC, created by a team of Rare veterans in developer Chameleon Games that knows a thing or two about the genre, having staff that played their part in the creation of the Banjo-Kazooie series. These types of games that were particularly popular around the PS1 & PS2 era relied on simple but engaging gameplay, along with a lot of charm, to create family-friendly experiences. Unfortunately, Tamarin is lacking in both.
Tamarin puts players in the role of a nameless emperor tamarin whose home forest is destroyed by evil invading insects. Almost immediately the strange tonal choices are made apparent: the bright, vibrant, kid-friendly forest is set ablaze, and ugly oversized ants commit on-screen murder against some little birds with laser guns. The tamarin himself is given an arsenal of guns, which can dismember the ants, complete with a shrill scream and a fountain of green blood. It's startling compared to how cute the game is trying to be, although it somewhat fails on that front as well. The tamarin has all the components of a cute mascot - big eyes, tiny hands, and fluffy - but something is off. The woodland critters have the look of a cheap animated movie that offers more chills than cuddles.
When this monkey isn't decapitating strange giant ants, he's engaging in some platforming and puzzles. The monkey does not have the arsenal of movement afforded to Mario, Banjo, or Crash Bandicoot, the latter of which has a promising sequel due next month. Tamarin can roll, jump, backflip, and complete scripted long jumps when holding down the trigger in certain areas. This decision is somewhat baffling, as it takes most of the platforming out of a platforming game. Upgrades can be purchased from a hedgehog friend with the many different collectibles scattered about the game world.
The game's visuals are a mixed bag. Some characters, like the titular tamarin, are just on the fence of cuteness, and the enemy insects are stern and menacing. The game world is filled with low-textured environments meshing with high quality lighting. Many of the outdoor locales are pleasant, although the game often takes the monkey into cavernous labyrinths that expose the camera's failings.
Overall, while Tamarin is certainly playable, it's hard to recommend it to anyone. Children might find the animals cute, but could be put off by the tonally dissonant violence, and adults looking for a throwback experience have a new Crash Bandicoot game, complete with new characters and experiences, on the horizon. With games such as the remastered Spyro, A Hat in Time, Snake Pass, and, of course, Mario, there are much better options out there - even the original Banjo-Kazooie games will bring more fun and charm than Tamarin, which doesn't seem to have a place to call home in either the past or the present.
Tamarin releases September 10th on PC and PlayStation 4. Screen Rant was given a PS4 key for the purposes of this review.