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| Big Hops puts movement and exploration front and centre from the start. |
Big Hops makes a strong first impression by not asking too much of you right away. Instead of covering the screen with instructions or pushing you toward a strict path, it opens up gradually and gives you space to learn as you go. From the first few moments, the game feels welcoming rather than demanding, which helps set expectations early.
You play as Hop, a young frog who starts out in familiar surroundings before being pulled somewhere very unfamiliar. The opening doesn’t rush to explain every detail. Instead, it encourages you to move around, get comfortable with the controls, and learn by doing. That slower start helps the game feel approachable, even as it begins to introduce more ideas.
One of the most noticeable things early on is how much freedom you’re given. The game rarely stops you to explain mechanics directly. Instead, it places you in situations where trying something out feels natural. Making mistakes doesn’t feel punishing, and trying again is quick, which helps build confidence instead of frustration.
Big Hops also establishes its personality quickly. The art style is colourful and expressive, and animations give the world a lively feel. The tone stays playful without pushing too hard, and nothing feels like it’s trying to grab your attention constantly. It’s clear early on that the game cares more about how it feels to play than about rushing you forward.
That approach makes it easy to get comfortable and enjoy spending time with the game.
Big Hops Details
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PS5
Reviewed on: PC
Developer: Luckshot Games
Publisher: Luckshot Games
Genre: Action, Adventure
Available game modes: Single-player
Story, Characters, and a Long Way Home
Big Hops keeps its story simple, and that works in its favour. Hop is pulled away from home early on and ends up dealing with Diss, a character who talks constantly, explains very little, and clearly has his own agenda. You’re never meant to fully trust him, and the game makes that clear without turning the situation heavy or uncomfortable.
Your goal is easy to understand. You want to get back home, and to do that, you need to collect airship parts scattered across different regions. Along the way, Diss pushes you to gather Dark Drips for his own reasons. This gives the game a clear direction without getting bogged down in background details.
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| Hop finds himself far from home as Big Hops pushes its story into strange new worlds. |
Each area you visit has its own identity and its own problems to deal with. You’ll run into communities dealing with power struggles, environmental damage, or authority figures causing trouble. None of these stories try to do too much, but they give each location a reason to exist beyond being another place to jump around in.
The characters you meet help bring these areas to life. Dialogue is light and often amusing, and the voice acting adds personality even to smaller roles. Conversations are short and focused, which keeps things moving while still giving the world some character. Diss stands out as intentionally irritating, but his presence adds tension and humour rather than annoyance.
Big Hops doesn’t aim for dramatic twists or emotional weight. It uses story mainly as a reason to keep moving forward, and that fits the game well.
Gameplay and Movement That Encourage Exploration
Movement is at the centre of Big Hops, but it never feels like something you have to get perfect. Hop’s abilities open up quickly, giving you access to long jumps, wall runs, climbing, mid-air control, and his signature frog tongue. Each ability feels easy to understand, and the game gives you plenty of chances to get comfortable using them.
The frog tongue plays a big role in how you move through the world. You use it to swing across gaps, grab objects, interact with switches, and even pull off clever solutions from unexpected angles. It becomes a natural part of how you move rather than something you only use in specific spots.
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| Puzzles in Big Hops often ask you to combine movement and timing instead of following a single solution. |
What makes the movement feel good is how forgiving it is. Miss a jump or approach a challenge from the wrong angle, and you’re often able to recover without starting over. That safety net makes it easier to try things just to see what happens.
Scattered throughout the game are different vegetables that change how you interact with the environment. Some let you bounce higher, others help create new paths or change how areas behave. You’ll often find the intended tool nearby, but the game doesn’t stop you from bringing something in from elsewhere and solving things your own way. Since your backpack space is limited, choosing what to carry becomes part of the decision-making.
New ideas are introduced through the environment instead of pop-ups. You’re shown a situation, given a nearby option, and trusted to figure it out. That keeps play moving and makes learning feel natural.
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| Movement in Big Hops stays playful, letting you recover and adjust as you move through each world. |
Charm You Can Feel in the World
Big Hops has a clear visual identity that stays consistent throughout the game. The art style is bright and expressive, and each region feels distinct without clashing with the others. It’s easy to tell where you are just by looking around.
Character design adds to that personality. Hop is immediately likeable, and the characters you meet along the way feel deliberately odd in ways that stand out. Even smaller characters usually get a line or two that gives them some individuality, which helps the world feel more lived in.
The writing supports that tone well. Jokes land often enough without dragging on, and the game balances silliness with moments that feel more grounded. Diss stands out again here, with voice acting that makes him irritating in a way that feels intentional.
Music and sound design support exploration without pulling focus away from what you’re doing. The soundtrack changes depending on where you are, helping set the mood, while environmental sounds add texture to each area.
There are occasional technical issues, especially when the camera struggles to keep up during faster movement. These moments can be distracting, but they’re brief and don’t take over the experience. Most of the time, Big Hops succeeds at making its world a pleasant place to spend time in.
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| Big Hops mixes playful character design with unexpected environments, including underwater and industrial areas. |
Big Hops Delivers a Relaxed, Movement-First Platforming Experience
Big Hops is a game that’s comfortable letting you play at your own pace. It doesn’t rush you or demand perfect execution. Instead, it gives you room to explore, try things out, and learn naturally as you go. The story stays light, the characters add charm, and the worlds are inviting to explore.
While there are a few technical issues, they don’t overshadow what the game does well. If you enjoy platformers that value freedom and discovery over strict paths and constant instruction, Big Hops is easy to recommend.
Big Hops Review Summary
Liked
- Movement feels forgiving and fun, with lots of room to try different approaches.
- The frog tongue is easy to use and supports creative solutions.
- Vegetables add variety to puzzles and exploration without feeling confusing.
- Worlds are easy to read and enjoyable to explore at your own pace.
- Writing and voice acting give the game a lot of personality.
Didn't Like
- The camera can struggle during faster movement and tricky angles.
- Some technical issues show up from time to time.
- Story stays simple and mostly exists to keep the adventure moving.
Overall Assessment of Big Hops
Gameplay: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5 / 5)
Presentation: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.0 / 5)
Performance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.0 / 5)
Story: ⭐⭐⭐½☆ (3.5 / 5)
Fun Factor: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5 / 5)
Overall Value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.0 / 5)
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