I’ve never played anything quite like to a T, which is its strongest attribute. The characters and world are fun to follow, but the gameplay fell a bit flat throughout the runtime, leaving me feeling a bit bored at times. Perhaps the game just didn’t fully click with me, despite my appreciation for the concept and wild story.
Credit: Annapurna Interactive
to a T
Developer: uvula
Price: $20
Platform: PS5 (reviewed), Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
MonsterVine was provided with a PS5 code for review
I was quite curious about to a T, as I’ve thoroughly enjoyed Keita Takahashi’s previous works. Obviously, the Katamari series is top-notch, and I have very fond memories of playing Noby Noby Boy on my PS3. Most of the telltale marks of a delightful Takahashi project are present here, but regrettably, despite it having some pleasant moments throughout, they never fully came together for me.
The gameplay of to a T is mostly split into navigating the town and taking part in a range of minigames. Some of these minigames are highlights of the game, as they revolve around your character being stuck in a T-pose position. At first, it’s goofy fun to brush your teeth or eat cereal while your arms are straight out, and learning to fly using your unique shape is a comical idea that pays off. There are even a few similar minigames to play while at school or while wandering the town, like collecting popcorn pieces or mixing potions, though they’re a bit simple.
Credit: Annapurna Interactive
Despite this variety of different types of gameplay, I found to a T to feel repetitive after the first hour or so. Most of the game has you running back and forth around town, which can feel pleasant thanks to the music and eclectic visuals, but isn’t especially fun by itself. Later on, you can ride a unicycle and do some big jumps, and you can collect coins to buy new outfit pieces as you travel, but this only briefly spices up the traversal.
“The quirks and silliness of all the city’s residents were what really kept my attention, especially towards the end.“
Even when changing characters later on, most of the game is spent running around town or doing a little light platforming. I was hoping for a bit more to do, like more involved minigames or more focus on your T-pose shape, especially since it’s always pretty funny when the game does focus on your shape. Having to angle your way through doors or avoid knocking into people at school is entertaining, so I wish it popped up more.
Credit: Annapurna Interactive
The customization aspect can be neat, as you can dress your avatar in any way throughout the story. You mix and match school uniforms and casual clothes throughout the game and, as mentioned, can buy new clothing to further customize your look. It’s a small thing, but it makes it easier to slot yourself into the game’s wacky world.
to a T has a great art style.
The art style of to a T is incredibly cute to look at, as the colorful town and characters stand out and feel distinctly “Takahashi.” The quirks and silliness of all the city’s residents were what really kept my attention, especially towards the end. The game’s story takes some fascinatingly wild turns once you reach the last couple of episodes, which had me quizzically looking at the screen and chuckling. I’ve never seen a game go so bizarre so fast, and I respect the creative decision quite a bit. The music is similarly delightful, adding further feelings of whimsy to the game.
The Final Word
to a T is certainly a unique and charming game, but it’s not quite as fun as I had hoped. There are enjoyable bits and pieces throughout the experience, but for the most part, it never quite grabbed me in its roughly five-hour runtime.
MonsterVine Rating: 3 out of 5 – Average
