NOTE: Skelittle: A Giant Party!! is still in Early Access and this review will reflect that status.

Party Like it’s 2019

Over the years, party-based video games have been a staple for weekend get-togethers with friends, and few have done this better than those in the Mario Party series. Providing a plethora of fun mini-games and familiar characters, Nintendo has created something that is easily accessible and a terrific time for all. All, that is, except for those of us without a Nintendo gaming system.

Sure, there are plenty of offerings on other consoles or the PC that provide lots of fun for larger groups, but few have been able (or have even attempted) to replicate the zaniness of Nintendo’s lineup. Enter Skelittle: A Giant Party!!, a brand new game from French developer Bubble Studios.

This entry into the party game scene is wacky, and no better is this exemplified than in the titular creatures: the Skelittle. These are, as the developers themselves describe, “naughty little toys who escaped from their cereal boxes.” Their aim, apparently, is to take control of the house, wreaking havoc as they do so. It doesn’t make a whole lot of sense, but really, it doesn’t need to.

It doesn’t make a whole lot of sense, but really, it doesn’t need to.

Two to four players assume control of a Skelittle of their choice, and are dropped into a sandbox-like area (which is, quite literally, a sandbox) that allows free-roaming and creativity. As progression is made through the game, special items are unlocked which can be used by players to create unique game modes of their own. For instance, some of the first items you can acquire include a gigantic ball and a soccer goal. I placed them strategically within the sandbox, creating a simple setup that resembled something like a soccer field. There is much potential for this mode, and I think it will be really fun to see what the player-base comes up with in the future.

The meat of the game, however, focuses on the myriad of mini-games that Bubble Studios has crafted. At the time of this writing, the game includes thirteen forays into party-based mayhem, with imminent plans to add many more. The games take place in familiar environments and use everyday household objects as props and set pieces. Particular favorites included players jousting on toy racecars along an orange Hot Wheels track, or stealing food from the dish of the family Corgi.

All of these games can only be accessed by starting a “Giant Party” which has players competing in each game in a sequential order. After each competition, points are accrued and distributed amongst the players, with the victor being the highest scorer after all games have been played. Though playing through a “Giant Party” sequence is fun, I do wish there was the option to pick and choose which games to play separately, or at the very least the order in which they are played.

Accessibility is a vital component to any party game, allowing players of all skill-levels to participate and meaningfully engage. Skelittle achieves that by designing mini-games that are simple in concept and only require one or two buttons to press. Additionally, instructions are given before each game, aiding in the learning process. It should be noted that there are a few translation issues here, but overall they do not hinder the experience.

For the most part, the controls feel responsive and are implemented intuitively, though at times and in certain mini-games, movement specifically can be loose and “floaty.” This isn’t necessarily a drawback, however, as it can enhance the goofiness of the gameplay; it just takes a bit of getting used to initially. As an aside, I would fully recommend playing with a controller. During my playthrough, I streamed the game through my Steam Link, and everything worked flawlessly.

If you have a penchant for Mario Party-style games … this just might be worth checking out.

The games themselves are all pretty well done, though simple in nature. Most have just one primary element, such as jumping over a spinning helicopter propeller or knocking an opponent off the edge of a bar of soap, but they are engaging enough to stir up good competition. After a few times through the list, however, they can start to feel a little repetitive and redundant in nature, though a few do stand out from the rest.

In the end, Skelittle: A Giant Party!! has all of the pieces in place: fun mini-games, easily accessible content, and incentives for progression. As a whole, it is fairly well polished for a game that is still in Early Access, and gives confidence for a bright future. That said, Bubble Studios still has some work to do: More mini-games need to be added in order to alleviate burnout, translation issues should be resolved to improve polish, and a few more game modes should be thrown in to add variety. If you have a penchant for Mario Party-style games and have been itching for something new to play with your friend group on the weekends, this just might be worth checking out.

Is it Cannon?

Yes, if you: Enjoy Mario Party-like group games;Want “something for everyone” that is easily accessible;Like fun twists on familiar themes Enjoy Mario Party-like group games

Want “something for everyone” that is easily accessible

Like fun twists on familiar themes No, if you: Want something perfectly polished right out of the box;Aren’t a fan of mini-games;Prefer complexity over simplicity Want something perfectly polished right out of the box

Aren’t a fan of mini-games

Prefer complexity over simplicity

Note: We received a game key from Bubble Studios in exchange for a fair an honest review