PlayStation 5 Critic Reviews

Garfield - Escape From Monday feels like a throwback to the PS3 era of 3D platformers and its lighthearted good times will make you grin as you pounce around even if it's one of the easiest games you'll ever play.

Garfield: Escape from Monday from developer OSome Studio is a good game that meets the standards of a 3D platforming experience. While it could have used a bit more enemy presence, the controls, levels, and overall game are still fun and make good use of the IP.

Garfield: Escape From Monday is a fun, simple, platformer that will most likely resonate with children more than adults. Its tongue-in-cheek narrative helps keep the story entertaining, and the variety of levels is appreciated. While this never reaches the heights of more iconic platformers, there is a lot worse you can do with a few hours of your time.

Escape From Monday clearly does enough right, as I went right back to find every lasagne, complete every time trial, and go for 100 percent. The underlying issues may prevent Garfield from having his first truly great game, but Escape From Monday still stands as one of the year’s biggest surprises for me. That’s in part due to my expectations being so low, but the satisfying platforming mechanics and near-perfect encapsulation of the Garfield vibes (barring his voice) make this a nice treat for 3D platforming fans. Give it a go, and I’m sure you’ll feel bad about pitchforking me for the Astro Bot comments.

Garfield may not be in the same league as Mario or Astro Bot, but his take on 3D platforming is still quite respectable. Aimed primarily at younger players, Escape from Monday offers solid level design and around ten hours of content. The gameplay is accessible and keeps things moving thanks to the cat’s three special powers. However, the lack of sound effects, repetitive humor and boss fights hold the adventure back. Garfield won’t be winning any Game Awards, but younger players should have a lot of fun with this dreamy, food-filled adventure. And that’s what really matters.

Garfield: Escape from Monday is a title aimed at a very young audience, yet it is a shame that the execution is so simplistic. The character’s charm and the attractive cel-shaded visuals aren’t enough to mask the glaring flaws of a platformer that feels far too flat and is plagued by numerous technical issues. While it might entertain young children or die-hard fans of the lasagna-loving cat, it fails to win over anyone looking for a well-structured, satisfying adventure.

A video game clearly designed for the youngest players, offering the bare minimum in terms of depth and ambition.