Bubsy 4D – Review – A mix of chaos, humor, platforming, and nostalgia along with enough new ideas to keep things feeling fresh

When your long standing enemies, obsessed with fleece, decide to steal all the sheep from Earth, it sounds just like another one of their chaotic plans. However, those very sheep break free from the grasp of their captors and return as empowered, deadly Baabots, a new mechanical force whose only goal is to take what is most precious – the Golden Fleece. At that moment, only one question remains – what else can you do but stand against them? And, of course, what is the worst that could possibly happen?

If you’re a fan of the series, you’re probably aware that Bubsy has a long and rather turbulent history dating back to 1993. Over the decades, this platformer has gone through various transformations, revival attempts, and even comebacks. That’s exactly why it’s fascinating to see how much the Bubsy franchise has evolved over time. Personally, Bubsy: The Woolies Strike Back from 2017 is still my favorite, but the Bubsy 4D experience turned out to be far more interesting than I expected.

Bubsy Bobcat is the main protagonist of this game, as the title suggests, however, he is not alone, because he is joined on this adventure by his nephews, the twins Terri and Terry, who are there both to test his patience and to provide new abilities in exchange for blueprints or even skins earned through collecting fleece, some of which will definitely bring a smile to long time fans. There is also Dr. Virgil, who serves as a tutorial guide, and Oblivia, a charming but somewhat absent-minded cat pilot who can never seem to remember Bubsy’s name, though considering her own name, that’s not too surprising.

The story begins when the Woolies, aliens from the planet Rayon whose main goal is to strip Earth of all textiles, come up with a new plan, which is to steal every sheep on the planet in order to create their own perfect fleece. Bubsy, in his usual fashion, doesn’t take this too seriously at first.

However, Virgil soon reveals that the sheep have actually broken free and taken control of Woolie technology, forming their own Baabot army with plans to steal the Golden Fleece and conquer planets that are themselves built out of fabric. Although initially unsure, Bubsy eventually sets off on this adventure with his friends, stealing a Baabot spaceship and heading straight to the enemy planet to recover the stolen wool.

This game takes you across three different planets, each one visually and thematically inspired by something unique. One might be based on arts & crafts aesthetics, while another feels like it’s constructed from computer components. Each planet contains five levels, and every one ends with a boss fight that tests everything you’ve learned up to that point.

Bubsy has the ability to jump, glide through the air, cling to surfaces with his claws, and reach otherwise inaccessible areas. He can even transform into a ball – like form called the Hairball to move faster through levels. He also has a pounce ability, useful both for taking out enemies and for making precise jumps when you’re just barely short of a platform. Each level includes a time challenge (which is optional, but you could get a golden medal as a reward at the end), as well as collectibles such as fleece, blueprints, and of course the Golden Fleece, which serves as the main objective.

Level design is varied and often combines platforming with hazards, which goes from dodging cars and enemies that shoot at you, to jumping between lanes, activating mechanisms, and timing your movement across rapidly spinning platforms while racing against time to reach safety. In certain segments, gameplay shifts slightly. The Hairball form can become a fiery variant, allowing you to break through glass barriers and damage enemies.

At times, your skills are also tested through gravity based sections where precise movement combinations are required, making the gameplay even more engaging, and if that’s not enough, the game offers a 9 Lives Mode, a brutal difficulty option where enemies can hit you only nine times across the entire game, and if you fail, your save is deleted and you’re sent back to the very beginning, adding a significant layer of tension and challenge to the game.

In addition to levels, there is also a HUB area where you can replay tutorials, talk to NPCs, rest, or purchase upgrades such as a 10th Life that gives you one additional hit before returning to the last checkpoint. There is also the Catnap ability, which lets you curl up and regenerate health, as well as various upgrades for the Hairball mechanic. When it comes to NPCs, you can also meet various characters through levels, which will offer some hilarious dialogues, just like Bubsy, who frequently comments when you pause the game, further emphasising his chaotic personality.

The visual style of the game strongly resembles the early 2000s era. Models are simple, colors are exaggerated, and the overall aesthetic carries strong platforming energy. Each planet feels chaotic and distinct in its own way. Some feature soft, calming tones reminiscent of sunsets, while others feel like a neon fever dream of strange landscapes. Neither approach feels out of place, instead, it reinforces the game’s creative identity.

Another nice detail I like is that the fleece changes color depending on the planet, further emphasizing each world’s uniqueness. The soundtrack also evokes a strong sense of nostalgia, clearly inspired by classic PS1/PS2 era platformers. Voice acting is intentionally exaggerated, theatrical, and “over the top”, but in a way that works perfectly for the tone of the game. It’s not traditional serious voice acting, it feels more like a mix of 90s cartoon energy and self aware humor. Bubsy constantly delivers sarcastic, chaotic remarks, yet remains oddly charming, while the rest of the cast contributes to the game’s playful tone. The voice acting works precisely because it embraces this exaggerated style.