Developer: tokoronyori
Platforms: PC (Reviewed), Switch, Switch 2
Genre: Action, Adventure
Publisher: Kodansha
BOKURA: Planet is a two-player puzzle adventure game. This is developed by tokoronyori and published by Kodansha. BOKURA: Planet distinguishes itself from its predecessor, taking place in the same world but offering an entirely new story and set of puzzles. This review was done for the Windows version, but it’s available for Switch and Switch 2.
BOKURA: Planet is a two-player co-op adventure that takes you on a surreal journey through strange worlds and stranger events. You and your partner begin aboard a ship, waking from cold sleep after several years, to the news that you will soon arrive on Earth. That plan falls apart quickly when you crash-land on an unfamiliar planet and set out to find your way home. What follows is a series of bizarre and intriguing encounters that shift your perspective of reality and others.
The controls for BOKURA: Planet are extremely simple, mainly using a few buttons at most. Just like the first game, BOKURA: Planet follows a similar pattern in the sense that the controls do not always play smoothly. Even with slight hiccups, the controls themselves work nicely when cooperating to solve puzzles. What I especially love is the different perspective each player has. One player might be having a conversation with an alien, whilst the other is watching TV. Some challenges are deceptively simple, while others will have you scratching your head, using tools from earlier sections or even intentionally ‘dying’ to progress (better knowledge in some scenarios). BOKURA: Planet has a perfect balance between accessibility and challenge, ensuring no puzzle feels impossible while still pushing your teamwork to its limits.
Visually, BOKURE: Planet is a treat! It is a hand-drawn, pixel-inspired art style that is warm and expressive, with each location feeling distinct and alive. As you immerse yourself in this ‘side-scroller’ like game, you get to experience landscapes that look more like industrial areas to lush wilderness, each filled with unique creatures and environmental puzzles. Shadows, layered backgrounds, and subtle animation effects make the environments feel dynamic despite their minimalist approach-the space-themed aesthetic runs throughout, tying the diverse worlds together into a cohesive whole. The visuals are pleasant, and they tie in nicely with the audio design. The soundtrack features soft orchestral touches and gentle humming that lend a sense of inspiration and calm, which complements the various scenes in the games. Ambient sounds deepen immersion. Static distortions on the screen have to be one of my favourite aspects about BOKURA, because it’s a sign that you’re delving into something more unsettling and unpredictable.
In terms of gameplay, BOKURA: Planet shines in its cooperative design. As someone who has played the first game, I absolutely loved the puzzles and the atmosphere of the game, but bringing to life a space aesthetic called for an even intriguing story. But by far, the puzzles are interactive and fun to solve. Many of the puzzles encourage replayability by offering weighted decisions that can alter the course of some important events, which is a great way to spark debate between you and your partner. The variety of challenges this game has to offer can be anything from pattern-based solutions to creative use of previous puzzle items. While the persistent ‘push’ option might tempt you to sabotage your partner for a laugh (and possibly send them to their doom), it adds a mischievous charm to the interactions. Ultimately, BOKURA: Planet is a game about communication, problem-solving, and navigating strange worlds together.
I had a fantastic time playing BOKURA: Planet. The blend of inventive puzzles, beautiful art and narrative that keeps you guessing made it a standout co-op experience. I especially enjoyed the decision-making moments. With its balanced difficulty and focus on teamwork, this is a must-play for players looking for an exciting challenge and journey.
Now, if you want to play an immersive co-op adventure with a mysterious edge, BOKURA: Planet is the game for you. Take on the roles of two boys who have unknowingly traversed dangerous planets, where you and a friend must constantly communicate and work together to solve creative puzzles! Be sure to check out BOKURA: Planet, and also give the first game, BOKURA, a try!
Overall: 9/10
This is S & S. We are world game explorers. We play games. We have played over 10,000+ games! We travel, we write reviews AND we play more games!!!!
