Multi_Step

Overall just poorly executed and optimized, especially on the Switch, which I feel it's main demographic would be based on. Playing through casually the first time, I encountered multiple slow-downs and 2 crashes. Going through Paris is not as fun as it could've been, with you always being heavily restricted on where you can and can't go. There are a lot of fan favorite locations, such as the Agreste Mansion and even the bakery which aren't actual 3D maps, which was disappointing. There's barely any interiors to any buildings, most are just there for show. (You can't even enter the school again after beating the main story) Some of the overworld missions just seem pointless, like "Talk to 3 citizens for intel on [XYZ]" and some have you going all over the map, which sometimes loads slowly. I didnt learn that there was a quick-travel option until after my 2nd playthrough, (since the game NEVER tells you, to my knowledge), which could've helped make some of these pointless trips a bit more tolerable. If you're someone who cares about spoilers, ALL of the villains/levels are literally plastered all around town, since that's how you replay them later on. Also, don't look in the Kwami Shop either, unless you want more spoilers for levels and villains. Without upgrading your skills, some of the combat can get unnecessarily difficult for a kids game, (The third level comes to mind specifically, as I hadn't upgraded at all at that point) but none of that matters if you play in 2 Player mode, since you can continually respawn with no consequence. The orbs and macaroons you collect throughout the game lead to you being able to upgrade your abilities and unlock things in your scrapbook, but to get all of the orbs and macaroons in a level, you need abilities which some aren't unlocked until the very end. I was confused at first on how I had missed so many orbs, but then I remembered the multiple different things I wasn't allowed to do yet since I hadn't gotten that ability. This basically makes trying to go for the orbs and macaroons almost pointless since you can't get them all anyways unless you revist levels later or do a New Game+ run. I think a much better idea would've been to have an EXP based combat system like Kingdom Hearts, which would allow you to level up just by fighting enemies, and the orbs and macaroons could've been saved completely for cosmetics, or they could be used for just upgrading defense and attack options, like they are already, just without the stat buffs. The dialogue is fine, if at some points a bit cringe (Adrien/Cat Noir talks about selfies a LOT in this game for some reason?) And the story is something you might expect from an episode in Season 3(?), but I feel like it's weird that a game based in Season 3(?) to not have any other miraculous usage. I understand how complex the story can get when trying to loop in the multiple different miraculous, but even just allowing a section where you could play as Rena Rouge would've been fun. I got this game on sale this Black Friday for $20, and I'm glad I didn't spend a penny more on it. Definitely not worth the retail $50, or the Ultimate Edition for $60 (which just adds new skins for Ladybug and Cat Noir). I feel like it could've been a lot more, and with better optimization on Switch could be a fine enough game for kids, but in its current state, as well as just bad game design decisions in general, I can't give it more than a 3/10.

This game is absolutely incredible, it's stuck with me so much from my childhood that here I am writing a review about it a decade later. As Nintendo games on the DS go, it's a solid 10 in my book (I don't care if my nostalgia bias is showing). I always liked the level design, the characters, the dialogue, Not even mentioning there are times I will be humming songs in this game just throughout the day. The File Select, Transforming into Monstar, and Sad Theme are so good. I was never good at the minigames, but you can't deny the sheer fun that Dumpling Master is; a great little distraction, (I know I would play it after losing to some of the bosses for a bit too long.) If you're a fan of 2D Platformers, interesting story, fun, unique characters, and (slightly) hidden gems, this game will scratch that itch for sure.