Platform: Microsoft Windows
Initial release date: February 5, 2024
Developer: Snekflat
Genres: Indie game, Role-playing game, Adventure game, Casual game, Adventure
Publishers: Super Rare Originals, Super Rare Games
I was raised on bright platformers and silly rhythm games, so I’ve never been a fan of the concept that a video game might be extremely serious. That’s not to say that I didn’t feel anything when playing The Last of Us Part II’s drama or Final Fantasy IX’s heartbreaking scenes, but generally speaking, when a game takes itself too seriously, I find myself straying to something more lighthearted, fantastical, or just plain funny. There’s nothing quite like being utterly ridiculous to explain Tiny Terry’s Turbo Trip, and sometimes that’s exactly what the doctor ordered.
Terry, our hero, is just interested in getting into space. Terry believes he can break through the atmosphere and travel among the stars by driving a car quickly enough up the town tower, while less imaginative people might consider applying for a job at NASA in order to do this. The only issue with this brilliant scheme is that Terry doesn’t currently own a car, which is why he applies for a job as a cab driver at the beginning of the game with no intention of actually working in this capacity.
Terry is launched into the world with the primary objective of reaching space after the interview is completed and the car is yours. In order to accomplish this, you will need to add a ton of boost to your recently purchased car, which will require gathering a ton of trash from all over the city. The most crucial collectible you need to succeed in Tiny Terry’s Turbo Trip is simply called Turbo rubbish, and you may find it almost anywhere. I’m not using the term rubbish here to represent the variety of collections you’ll need.
You’ll spend most of the game hopping on buildings and exploring alleyways to collect every last bit of Turbo Junk, since it will take a long time to be able to send Terry into space. Terry doesn’t have many platforming skills, but if you can figure out how to get to spots that are difficult to reach, you’ll be rewarded with a lot of useful metal shards and possibly even some cash.
Cold hard cash is the other major collectible in Tiny Terry’s Turbo Trip. With it, you can purchase a variety of useful items that will aid you in your space exploration. Things like a glider that gets you to new (and presumably profitable) places, or a shovel that can be used to dig up loads of cash and rubbish. It always feels good to have a new thing, and the junk shop has a good assortment to choose from.
Despite having a little theme, Tiny Terry’s Turbo Trip’s universe is appropriately packed with activities. In addition to simply collecting items from the surroundings, the map is littered with several tasks that might earn you even larger mounds of trash or cash. Playing football with a fruit against schoolchildren or participating in a yoga dance competition is a pleasant diversion. While none of these side activities are really groundbreaking, they are all endearing.
Tiny Terry’s Turbo Trip lacks a great deal of intense, difficult gameplay, but it more than makes up for it with its ridiculous charm. The ridiculously humorous characters in the game never fail to make me laugh, and over its brief duration, I found myself laughing several times. A special mention has to go to the beachgoer who is tanning and doesn’t realize how hot he is, even after his body starts to burn. I wouldn’t want Terry’s adventure to be any different, even though it is joyously foolish.
I don’t think Tiny Terry’s Turbo Trip is all that bad, but there isn’t quite enough of it either. Obtaining all the useless items required to finish the game won’t take long, and by then, you’ll have likely experienced all that it has to offer. If chilling past the environment isn’t enough for you, this isn’t the game for you. I clocked in just over two hours before that.
Summary:
An adorable but stupid sandbox game is called Tiny Terry’s Turbo Trip. While gathering trinkets from all over the city is enjoyable, engaging with its unique and eccentric residents is far more enjoyable. For those searching for something lighthearted to break up an evening of gaming, Terry and his adventure are waiting. For others, however, it will end a little too quickly.