Frogun Encore Preview: Hop To It!

Hopping soon to multiple platforms hops 3D Indie Platformer Frogun Encore. Developed by Molegato and published by Top Hat Studios this this upcoming title is a follow-up to 2022’s Frogun. Though that kind of goes without saying doesn’t it? In this froggy follow up you will hop your way through the game’s worlds, defeating the villainous Fly Bois using your frogun. A talking gun that not only allows you to attack foes but grants you the ability to grapple along levels to get to new areas. And if you want to, you can play the game with a friend in co-op!

A preview build for this title was released as part of SAGE 2023. An annual indie gaming event. I will be honest dear reader, I have never played the original Frogun. I was waiting for it to get a physical release, and when it got one I didn’t buy it on time. But having played this preview of Frogun Encore I have to say that I’m more than a little impressed by what I have seen so far. But let’s get a little deeper, shall we?

Frogun Encore is ‘Coming Soon’ and set to release on PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and S, and Linux. At the time of writing can only be wishlisted on Steam.

Story – Ain’t Easy Being Green!

Frogun Encore takes place around three years after the events of the first game. And after returning home after camping with her friends, Renata soon discovers her home town is under attack by the dastardly Fly Bois; the villainous underlings of the previous game’s villains. She soon discovers to her horror that the Fly Bois intend to revive their fallen leader Beelezabub and get their revenge on Renata and the world! Which needless to say kind of puts the knackers on any future camping trips.

Frogun Encore’s story takes place shortly after the first game.

As far as stories in video games go it is perfectly fine. I appreciate any preview build that gives even a little amount of context for what you’re doing. And in Frogun Encore we get plenty. Delivered via a fun little opening cutscene and some in-game dialogue. Said dialogue is delivered in a near Rareware-esque way as seen in Banjo-Kazooie and Donkey Kong 64; where Characters make odd noises whenever they say a word. Though not quite as sound effect-heavy as in those aforementioned titles.

Read it, Read it!

The writing in Frogun Encore is charming for what it is. This is a preview build after all. And the main focus is the gameplay more than telling a complete story. But it does set up for an interesting premise which I’m certain the fans of the previous game will really get a kick out of. On more practical levels, the text and UI are both presented well. Everything is clear and all tutorial text is unambiguous and delivered right when needed. And whilst the text might be stylised it isn’t stylised to such an extent that it is hard to read. At least for me and my dyslexic brain.

Vengeful flies, boy, if I had a penny!

As I’m sure you can understand, there isn’t much to talk about in this preview of Frogun Encore’s story or writing. Not because it isn’t worth talking about. But because it is so early into development and what we get is such a small slice of the final product there isn’t much to say. I look forward to seeing more of it. What we do get is full of charm and personality. Which makes me excited to see how they can build from there.

Gameplay – Flying Tonight!

As explained at the start of this preview Frogun Encore is a 3D Platformer. Where you must navigate the various levels, defeating villains, and jumping over obstacles. All aided by the titular Frogun, a gun that is shaped like a frog! This quirky item can be used to pull enemies over to you. And help you cross over gaps and into obstacles. Your goal is to reach the level exit. When you reach the end you’ll gain a score depending on certain criteria. Completing it without dying, collecting all secrets, getting the notes, and so forth. As well as collecting all the coins in a near-Zool-esque way will all give you a bigger score.

In Frogun Encore you use the frogun to traverse levels and attack foes.

The controls are solid. As well as being rather intuitive. Which is more than welcome given that the title is a platformer. And the Frogun can make combat and navigating the levels quite easy. Though granted the overall pace of the game is a little on the slower side. And the areas where you must use the Frogun to get around are rather clearly sign-posted. So all you really need to do is get used to the control system.

Frog Footed

If I am to be critical I do feel that the player character is a tad too heavy-footed. This is to say that when the player character jumps they seem to fall to earth a little too quickly for my liking. Which can make the timing of certain jumps hard to get around. This is mostly due to the timing being just a little off for what you may be used to. But your mileage may vary on that. And this may be a factor in the original title. And to be honest it is something that you can get used to in time.

To be fair, you can get used to the jump timing.

I have to say that this is one of those situations where it is hard for me to wax lyrical about the quality of the game I’m previewing. Not because it is lacking in quality. But because it does everything so well it is hard to go deeper on. The levels that we get in the preview are fun. And all introduce their quirks to you in a manageable way. This is a very professional and well-developed title. With all the parts that make the whole being great fun and charming.

Battle Frog

In each level, there are Obsidian Skull challenges that are hidden at the level and contribute to your final score. I have to say that these challenges feel a tad undercooked. Despite having an intimidating title, they aren’t especially challenging. And are probably some of the easiest stuff I played in this preview build of Frogun Encore. Though with that said they probably are hard relative to this stage of the game. By that, I mean that, well, of course, the challenges in the early levels are going to be easy because they are early for goodness sake!

Not the hardest challenges but still fun.

Again, there isn’t much else that one can really say about Frogun Encore. Even this preview build of it feels rather feature-complete. And all it really needs is more levels and a few more challenges and then it will be good to go. I dare say that fans of the original will love this one. And that people who missed the original the first time around are in for just as much of a treat. 

Graphics & Audio – Frog Chorus

Frogun Encore has a charming art and graphics style. Evoking the look of Sega Saturn-era games, with that pseudo-retro aesthetic that is popular these days. The characters are all well-designed and filled with personality. And the two worlds the preview’s levels take place in are vibrant and colourful. The levels themselves have a distinct look to them that offers plenty of detail and decoration to help add to the feel of them. And yet without said detail and design ever feeling like it gets in the way of the gameplay.

Frogun Encore features a built-in screenshot poser.

The soundtrack, much like the core game, has a bouncy, almost summery feel to it. Which, whilst it feels in keeping with the levels themselves also are pleasant enough to listen to in their own right. I can’t say that at this point I’d listen to them independently of the game itself. However, I can say that having a soundtrack that feels unashamedly a video game soundtrack is oddly refreshing. This soundtrack isn’t trying to change the world. It is just trying to be good. And I have to say that it is damn good at that. And helped add an extra layer of vibrant spirit to my playthrough of Frogun Encore for this preview.

Frogun Encore was previewed on PC.