You’re probably here because you saw a video or screenshots of Pato Box, and were drawn to the clear inspiration from Punch Out!! Maybe you wanted to know if it’s any good. I mean, if it looks like a duck and smells like a duck, it should taste just as good as duck, right? You could be here because you saw that the main character is a duck and wanted to know if Pato Box is worth your duckin’ time. Finally, you might just be here because you like this site and saw this review go up, likely because of how producktive we are around here. Either way, waddle in here and take a seat. Let’s talk about Bromio’s Pato Box and uncover its deep, duck secrets.



Developer: Bromio

Publisher: Bromio

5+ Hours Played // Digital Only // Publisher Provided // Nintendo Switch Price $15 USD

Duck, Duck, Punch

Pato Box is a game unlike any other I’ve ever played. It’s completely aware of how silly it is and embraces the duck out of it. You’ll start the game at the peak of your glory, as the titular Pato Box: a boxing man-duck thing. His opening fall from glory has you off to set things right. Those expecting this to be modeled exactly like the aforementioned Punch Out!! will immediately be surprised. There’s a strange third-person adventure element to Pato Box with which the game opens up, and you wouldn’t expect it.

It’s strange in a way I didn’t like too, as this element is where I believe Pato Box is at its weakest. Between each of the Punch-Out!!-like fights (in which you’re most likely interested), Pato Box explores the mystery surrounding your surprise loss in the game’s opening boxing match through these adventure portions. You’ll navigate hallways, dungeons, and various other locales as you explore the unfolding story. You’re also forced to solve puzzles and make your way through a mysterious mansion, all from a third-person perspective.

But it’s all a bit of a lame duck, to be honest. The gameplay is only average in these sections and their value fluctuates between tedious and okay. It all feels like filler for a game that is absolutely at its best during the fight sequences, which we’ll get to in a moment. Side quests are mostly relegated to boring fetch missions, dodging traps, and circumventing hazards. This isn’t why I would have purchased Pato Box.

Pretty Bird

Pato Box‘s art style is reminiscent of the movie (and comic book series) Sin City, or the game Madworld. It mostly works well, as the over-the-top brooding atmosphere of Pato Box feels closely related to the same atmosphere that those two titles invoked. It’s an artistic choice that helps the game stand out, but may not be for everyone. I liked it and enjoyed the atmosphere it created.

The repetitiveness of the music makes it very hit or miss. The adventure track is cool and appropriately synthetic, but it loops for too long and grows old. The fighting tracks are fantastic and help elevate the tension and mood of each boss fight. Overall, I wish there was more variety but the soundtrack is something I enjoyed very much. The sound effects are well done and were, again, best executed during the fight sequences.

A Hard Nut to Quack

It’s during these fight sequences that Pato Box‘s near-brilliance shines through. It reminded me of the old saying, “It’s always duckest just before dawn”… As the adventure sequences really grated on me I’d start feeling less enthused. But then I’d find the next boss and be right back in it!

These sequences take the best of Pato Box‘s primary influence and have fun with it. The fights are infused with rhythmic hazards that force the player to be on their A-game, all the while showcasing the bosses’ personality front and center. You’ll battle a laser-friendly, robot-loving woman one moment, then a pots-and-pans wielding, overzealous chef the next. It’s great fun and, despite being absurdly hard sometimes, had me hooked, even if I was dying more than I’d care to admit.

Bromio was smart enough to include an arcade mode, which cuts all of the adventure-mode stuff out. Something I wished was more fleshed out, is the adventure mode. Or alternatively, more like a visual novel.

Had Bromio really polished and expanded the rest of the game as much as they did the fights, this could be another indie darling. I just didn’t enjoy those between-fight sections nearly as much as I liked the fights. As the game wound down, I found myself less and less patient with those portions. The story was “good” enough to keep me involved, but I couldn’t help but think there would be better ways of telling it.

Seducktive

Still, the fights are fun enough to warrant picking Pato Box up. Especially since your tolerance for the other stuff might be much higher than mine. As Bromio’s first project, Pato Box is a good game and I will keep an eye on them moving forward. As for potential fan’s out there, if you enjoyed Punch Out!! in any of its forms and you don’t mind a silly, yet surprisingly dark, storyline and universe, you’ll likely enjoy Pato Box.

I Bid You Aduck…

Pato Box is just short of brilliant, as the adventure portions of the game vary too wildly from okay to downright tedious. The boss fights hold it up, though, and keep the game interesting and fresh. If you enjoyed Punch Out!! or like silly premises and/or unique games, you’ll probably have fun with this one. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you about those adventure sequences.

Without feather ado, here’s how I scored it:

If you’re looking for something else unique, with a similar art style, check out Mikey’s review of The Adventures of Elena Temple. Or if you want to read about our highest-scored game ever, check out Zeno’s review of Hollow Knight. Lastly, if you like free stuff, don’t forget to follow us on Twitter and retweet this tweet for a chance at some great Switch accessories.