Frogun
{{Short description|2022 video game}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2022}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Frogun
| image = Frogun cover.png
| alt =
| caption =
| developer = Molegato
| publisher = Top Hat Studios, Inc.
| series =
| engine =
| platforms = {{ubl|Microsoft Windows|Linux|Nintendo Switch|PlayStation 4|PlayStation 5|Xbox One|Xbox Series X/S}}
| released = August 2, 2022
| genre = Platform
| modes = Single-player, multiplayer
}}
Frogun is a 3D platform video game developed by Molegato and published by Top Hat Studios on August 2, 2022. The player controls a character who must navigate levels and collect items by jumping and using her frog as a grappling gun.
Gameplay
Gameplay consists of 3D platforming, with the player utilizing a frog that serves as a grappling gun.{{Cite web|last=Devore|first=Jordan|title=Frogun, a 3D platformer with warm and fuzzy vibes, is out in August|url=https://www.destructoid.com/frogun-august-release-date-nintendo-switch-ps4-xbox-pc-retro-3d-platformer/|access-date=August 14, 2022|website=Destructoid|date=July 6, 2022}}
The game features a single-player mode and includes a one on one player versus player option as an unlockable reward.
Development
Development of the game was performed by the studio Molegato. The game was crowdfunded with Kickstarter in July 2021.{{Cite web|last=Friscia|first=John|title=Frogun Brings Awesome N64 & PS1-Inspired Platforming This August|url=https://www.escapistmagazine.com/frogun-release-date-trailer-3d-platformer/|access-date=August 14, 2022|website=The Escapist|date=July 6, 2022}} The aesthetics of the game were inspired by various home console games from the 1990s and handheld console games from the 2000s.{{Cite web|last=Gray|first=Kate|title=Mega Man, Crash Bandicoot, And Gex – The '90s Inspirations Behind 'Frogun'|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/features/mega-man-crash-bandicoot-and-gex-the-90s-inspirations-behind-frogun|access-date=August 14, 2022|website=Nintendo Life|date=August 9, 2022}} In development it was decided that the game would not stick to specific technical limitations associated with those consoles, leading to the use of "32-bit" style graphics alongside "16-bit" style audio.
Frogun was published on August 2, 2022 by Top Hat Studios Inc.{{Cite web|last=Hagues|first=Alana|title=Nostalgic N64-Inspired Platformer 'Frogun' Leaps Onto Switch In August|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2022/07/nostalgic-n64-inspired-platformer-frogun-leaps-onto-switch-in-august|access-date=August 14, 2022|website=Nintendo Life|date=July 6, 2022}} for Microsoft Windows, Linux, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S.{{Cite web|last=Romano|first=Sal|date=July 6, 2022|title=Frogun launches August 2|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2022/07/frogun-launches-august-2|access-date=September 3, 2022|website=Gematsu}} Limited Run Games published a physical edition of the game for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5.{{Cite web|last=Lada|first=Jenni|title=Here are the Limited Run Games Showcase LRG3 2022 Reveals|url=https://www.siliconera.com/here-are-the-limited-run-games-showcase-lrg3-2022-reveals/|access-date=August 14, 2022|website=Siliconera|date=June 6, 2022}}
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| MC = PC: 76/100{{Cite web|title=Frogun for PC Reviews|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/frogun/critic-reviews/?platform=pc|website=Metacritic|access-date=September 3, 2022}}
PS5: 59/100{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/frogun/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-5|title=Frogun for PlayStation 5 Reviews|website=Metacritic|access-date=September 3, 2022}}
NS: 74/100{{Cite web|title=Frogun for Switch Reviews|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/frogun/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch|website=Metacritic|access-date=September 3, 2022}}
| Destruct = 6/10{{Cite web|last=Handley|first=Zoey|title=Review: Frogun|url=https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-frogun-pc-switch-ps4-xbox-retro-platformer/|access-date=August 14, 2022|website=Destructoid|date=August 2, 2022}}
| Gamezebo = 3/5{{Cite web|last=Alexadner|first=Maria|url=https://www.gamezebo.com/reviews/frogun-switch-review-leap-of-faith/|title=Frogun [Switch] Review – Leap of Faith?|website=Gamezebo|date=August 6, 2022|access-date=September 3, 2022}}
| NLife = 7/10{{Cite web|last=Phillips|first=Kara|title=Frogun Review (Switch eShop)|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/frogun|access-date=September 3, 2022|website=Nintendo Life|date=August 2, 2022}}
| PSQ = 5/10{{Cite web|last=Tailby|first=Stephen|title=Mini Review: Frogun (PS5) - PS1 Era Platformer Doesn't Have Much Bounce|url=https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps5/frogun|access-date=September 3, 2022|website=Push Square|date=August 2, 2022}}
}}
Frogun received "mixed or average" reviews for PlayStation 5 and Switch, according to review aggregator Metacritic; the Windows version received "generally favorable" reviews.
Reviewers generally noted the difficulty of fully completing the game. In their review, Nintendo Life particularly noted the difficulty associated with racing sections of the game. Push Square{{'}}s review noted the difficulty of some platforming elements.{{Cite web|last=Ramsey|first=Robert|date=July 6, 2022|title=Frogun Has Impressive PS1 Platformer Vibes, Hopping to PS5, PS4 in August|website=Push Square|url=https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2022/07/frogun-has-impressive-ps1-platformer-vibes-hopping-to-ps5-ps4-in-august|access-date=August 14, 2022}}
The graphical style and general gameplay feel being similar to games from the 1990s was commonly cited by reviewers as a distinguishing feature.
Writing for PC Gamer, Matt Paprocki noted the appeal of the game for speedrunners.{{Cite web|last=Paprocki|first=Matt|title=Frogun, the game about a frog that's a gun, might be a speedrunner's dream|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/frogun-the-game-about-a-frog-thats-a-gun-might-be-a-speedrunners-dream/|access-date=August 14, 2022|website=PC Gamer|publisher=Future plc|date=August 12, 2022}}
{{Clear}}
References
{{reflist}}