Lil Gator Game
{{Short description|2022 video game}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Lil Gator Game
| engine = Unity
| platforms = {{ubl|Nintendo Switch|Windows|PlayStation 4|PlayStation 5|Xbox One|Xbox Series X/S}}
| genre = Platform
| modes = Single-player
| publisher = Playtonic Games
| developer = MegaWobble
| released = {{ubl|Switch, Windows|December 14, 2022|PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Series X/S|October 10, 2023}}
| image = Lil_Gator_Game_Cover_Art.jpg
}}
Lil Gator Game is a 2022 video game developed by MegaWobble and published by Playtonic Games. It is a 3D platform game where the player controls a young alligator who spends their time trying to get their older sister's attention.{{Cite web |last=Torossian |first=Chris |date=2022-12-11 |title=Lil Gator Game's Non-Binary, Differently Abled Representation is 'True' to its Characters |url=https://gamerant.com/lil-gator-game-interview-diversity-representation-identity-disability-impact/ |access-date=2023-06-22 |website=Game Rant |language=en}} Lil Gator Game was released in December 2022 for Microsoft Windows and Nintendo Switch, then for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on October 10, 2023.
Gameplay
The player can explore a series of islands, each with different inhabitants with side quests to complete. The player can earn cardboard money and objects that can be used to craft new items that open up new areas of the world. The player character can climb, swim, and glide to reach new areas.{{Cite web |last=Diaz |first=Ana |date=2023-04-16 |title=Lil Gator Game is the Zelda-like I didn't know I needed |url=https://www.polygon.com/reviews/23682092/legend-zelda-likes-breath-of-wild-wind-waker-lil-gator-game-review |access-date=2023-04-18 |website=Polygon |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-04-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417212529/https://www.polygon.com/reviews/23682092/legend-zelda-likes-breath-of-wild-wind-waker-lil-gator-game-review |url-status=live }}
Plot
The protagonist and player character is Lil' Gator, a curious and outgoing young alligator who enjoys exploring and hanging out with their friends.
In the opening gameplay section, we control a toddler-aged Lil' Gator as they play at the park and talk with their older sister. This section gives us a glimpse into the strong sibling bond held between Lil' Gator and their older sister.
Development
The game's development was started by Scott Slucher, with the other two developers, Robin Burgess and Connor Quinn, joining after.{{when|date=April 2023}} Development on the game started in 2020, based on a small tech demo, Playground Hero. The positive reception to a GIF of the game's gator running around in a circle spurred publisher attention and helped the game start production.{{Cite web |last=Torossian |first=Chris |date=2022-12-12 |title=Lil Gator Game Interview: Director Connor Patrick Quinn Discusses Unique Characters and World Design |url=https://gamerant.com/lil-gator-game-interview-game-design-indieland-community-representation-diversity/ |access-date=2023-04-19 |website=Game Rant |language=en}}
The main character's design was inspired by Link from The Legend of Zelda, specifically the design from Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages. As for influences on the writing, the developers took inspiration from Frog Detective, The Fairly OddParents, and SpongeBob SquarePants. The side quests in particular were based on the Yakuza series, with a focus on the absurd nature of the characters.{{Cite web |last=Barnett |first=Brian |date=2023-03-01 |title=Lil Gator Game Developer Interview: Make Your Own Fun With Adorable Sandbox Exploration |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/lil-gator-game-developer-interview-make-your-own-fun-with-adorable-sandbox-exploration |access-date=2023-04-18 |website=IGN |language=en |archive-date=2023-04-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418214310/https://www.ign.com/articles/lil-gator-game-developer-interview-make-your-own-fun-with-adorable-sandbox-exploration |url-status=live }} The game's visual style and exploratory nature was influenced by 2019's A Short Hike, alongside Kirby Air Ride and Tony Hawk's Pro Skater.{{Cite web |last=Barnett |first=Brian |date=2023-03-01 |title=Lil Gator Game Developer Interview: Make Your Own Fun With Adorable Sandbox Exploration |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/lil-gator-game-developer-interview-make-your-own-fun-with-adorable-sandbox-exploration |access-date=2023-04-18 |website=IGN |language=en |archive-date=2023-04-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418214310/https://www.ign.com/articles/lil-gator-game-developer-interview-make-your-own-fun-with-adorable-sandbox-exploration |url-status=live }}
In February 2023, the game received a speedrunning mode.{{Cite web |date=2023-02-06 |title=Lil Gator Game is getting a speed-run mode today |url=https://www.godisageek.com/2023/02/lil-gator-game-is-getting-a-speed-run-mode-today/ |access-date=2023-04-18 |website=GodisaGeek.com |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-04-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418214312/https://www.godisageek.com/2023/02/lil-gator-game-is-getting-a-speed-run-mode-today/ |url-status=live }}
Reception
{{Video game reviews
}}
Lil Gator Game received "generally favorable reviews" according to review aggregator, Metacritic.{{Cite web |title=Lil Gator Game |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/lil-gator-game/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch |access-date=2023-04-17 |website=Metacritic |language=en |archive-date=2023-02-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204063631/https://www.metacritic.com/game/switch/lil-gator-game |url-status=live }}
Polygon enjoyed how the title took ideas from different Zelda entries in order to build out its story, "what I truly love about the game, is how it balances the childlike veneer of the protagonist's perspective with a poignant emotional core that's reminiscent of Wind Waker".{{Cite web |last=Diaz |first=Ana |date=2023-04-16 |title=Lil Gator Game is the Zelda-like I didn't know I needed |url=https://www.polygon.com/reviews/23682092/legend-zelda-likes-breath-of-wild-wind-waker-lil-gator-game-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418214309/https://www.polygon.com/reviews/23682092/legend-zelda-likes-breath-of-wild-wind-waker-lil-gator-game-review |archive-date=2023-04-18 |access-date=2023-04-19 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}} Destructoid liked the game's portrayal of adolescence, "Lil Gator is attempting to create to the tools he acquires around the island, there is so much here that feels like it was pulled directly from the mind of a child".{{Cite web |last=Andriessen |first=CJ |date=2023-01-03 |title=Review: Lil Gator Game |url=https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/lil-gator-game-review/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324185314/https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/lil-gator-game-review/ |archive-date=2023-03-24 |access-date=2023-04-19 |website=Destructoid |language=en-US}} Rock Paper Shotgun felt that the side content was a pleasant diversion from the main story, "The quests are almost always simple throughout, but they make for relaxing little tasks to complete as you explore".{{Cite news |last1=Hefford |first1=Hayden |date=2022-12-15 |title=Lil Gator Game review: a heartfelt adventure about childhood antics |language=en |work=Rock, Paper, Shotgun |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/lil-gator-game-review |url-status=live |access-date=2023-04-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204071007/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/lil-gator-game-review |archive-date=2023-02-04}}
While praising the central hub, Game Informer criticized how the game could be difficult to explore, "However, with several places in the picturesque main island appearing similar and no access to a minimap, it's easy to get turned around".{{Cite magazine |last=Shea |first=Brian |date=2023-01-18 |title=Lil Gator Game Review - Scaly Sentimentality |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/review/lil-gator-game/scaly-sentimentality |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009205216/https://www.gameinformer.com/review/lil-gator-game/scaly-sentimentality |archive-date=2023-10-09 |access-date=2023-10-18 |magazine=Game Informer |language=en}} Nintendo Life loved the visuals, noting that, "the autumn forest cel-shaded visuals look wonderful on Switch, and the game generally runs well".{{Cite web |last=Posner-Ferdman |first=Brett |date=2022-12-14 |title=Review: Lil Gator Game - An Incredibly Charming Adventure With A Deep Message |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/lil-gator-game |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127214215/https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/lil-gator-game |archive-date=2023-01-27 |access-date=2023-04-19 |website=Nintendo Life |language=en-GB}}