Code provided with thanks to Tom Moore Marketing.
Seikyu Lets Go! – Road Trip Shenanigans
There’s been no shortage of co-op games over the last few years, and I’m certainly not complaining. Some of my favourite gaming evenings involve getting together with friends and seeing what sort of nonsense we can get ourselves into. Seikyu Let’s Go! looks like it could be another contender for those evenings, offering a cute campervan adventure through a world filled with animals and unusual characters.
After playing the demo, I can see plenty of potential here. However, I also came away feeling that this is a game best enjoyed with friends rather than explored alone. You can play solo, but I suspect some of the magic comes from the chaos that happens when everyone is along for the ride.
Snap Happy
The premise is straightforward. You arrive on an island where your job is to explore the wilderness and photograph the creatures living there. An otter introduces you to your new surroundings, making the game amazing already; before long, you’re setting off in your campervan to discover what the island has to offer.
Taking photographs is easy enough, with a simple camera mechanic that lets you snap pictures in first-person view. The game also makes it clear when you’ve photographed an animal for the first time, adding it to your collection. There’s a satisfying little loop to discovering something new, getting the shot and moving on to the next encounter. However, I think the real appeal lies in everything that happens between those photographs. You can pick flowers, collect items, fish, play games and investigate unusual locations. There are plenty of opportunities to get distracted, and I imagine that becomes even more entertaining when your friends are involved. After all, the objective might be to photograph the local wildlife, but that doesn’t mean you can’t spend twenty minutes doing something completely ridiculous along the way.
Are We There Yet?
One of the more unusual aspects of Seikyu Let’s Go! is its campervan. This isn’t simply a vehicle that moves when you press a button. You actually have to operate it, using the clutch, changing gears, applying the handbrake and shifting into reverse when necessary. I can’t say I expected to practise my driving skills in a cute co-op adventure, but here we are. It takes some getting used to, and there’s a little more weight to the driving than you might initially expect. That said, I found it an interesting addition. The van can get stuck, leaving you to work out how to get moving again, and there’s even a hammer available for repairs. It all contributes to the feeling that this is a road trip rather than simply a series of levels connected by loading screens. You have a vehicle to look after, places to explore and plenty of opportunities for things to go slightly wrong.
Mind The Wildlife
Of course, not everything on the island is pleased to see you. While some creatures are perfectly happy to let you wander around, others are rather more hostile. Crocodiles and other dangerous inhabitants can turn a relaxing sightseeing trip into a hurried escape. There are also puzzles to discover. One early example in the demo involves exploring a maze, with a player able to climb to a vantage point and guide another person through it using a megaphone. It’s a lovely example of how the developers are encouraging communication and cooperation rather than simply having everyone wander off independently. The game also features proximity voice chat, allowing players to communicate with those nearby. Combined with its co-op puzzles, this could lead to some wonderfully chaotic moments when everyone is trying to work out where to go next.
Playing alone, however, changes the experience. Without another player to guide you through the maze or share the excitement of discovering something unexpected, some of these activities feel a little less engaging. The game still works, but I found myself wishing I had someone else along for the journey.
Make Yourself At Home
Visually, Seikyu Let’s Go! has a cute, colourful style that suits its relaxed holiday atmosphere. The different environments offer plenty of places to explore, while the island’s inhabitants give you reasons to stop and investigate. Character customisation is also surprisingly extensive. Even in the demo, there’s a glimpse of how much freedom players will have to personalise their characters, including the ability to paint designs onto them and their clothing. I can imagine creative players having a great time coming up with unusual looks. New cosmetics can be unlocked through giant gatcha machines scattered round the island.
Final Thoughts
My time with the Seikyu Let’s Go! demo left me with a positive impression. It has the makings of a fun, goofy road trip where the journey matters just as much as the destination. Photographing creatures is a pleasant starting point, but it’s the driving, exploration, puzzles and potential for silly co-op moments that really caught my attention. That said, I do think the multiplayer experience will be the deciding factor. Playing alone, I could appreciate the individual activities, but I struggled to find the same excitement I imagine a group of friends could create together.
If you’re looking for a relaxed adventure to enjoy with a few pals, Seikyu Let’s Go! is worth keeping an eye on. The demo gives you an opportunity to see whether its particular brand of campervan chaos appeals to you, and I’m certainly interested in seeing how the full game develops. Just remember to pack your camera, check the handbrake and make sure someone else is responsible for navigating. What could possibly go wrong?
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