Game: Stolen Hearts: Wolf Knight
Genre: Action, Adventure
System: Steam (Windows)
Developer | Publisher: Mr Moo Games
Controller Support: Yes
Steam Deck: Tested Playable
Price: US $ 9.98 | UK £ 8.50 | EU € 9,75
Release Date: July 15th, 2024
A review code was provided, thanks to TILT Games.
Stolen Hearts: Wolf Knight – A Platformer With Plenty of Heart
Stolen Hearts: Wolf Knight is an action precision platformer about rescuing hearts and returning them home safely. Developed by Mr. Moo over a five-year period, it’s a passion project that truly shines through its design and meticulous attention to detail. If you love tough platformers, this one is worth checking out.
Rude Awakening
You play as an unnamed knight invited to a big party thrown by sentient hearts. However, the loud noise from the celebration wakes the grumpy Wolf King. Just like anyone who wakes up on the wrong side of the bed, he captures the heart folk in cages. It’s now up to you, the knight, to explore the realm across multiple levels, save the hearts, and maybe even snag a piece of birthday cake.
The plot is simple, served with familiar pixel art. While it doesn’t push boundaries narratively or graphically, there are charming touches, like the adorable heart creatures that make cute noises when thrown around. It’s a clear example of a developer working within limitations and focusing on gameplay.
Saving Hearts, One Jump at a Time
The goal of each level in Stolen Hearts: Wolf Knight is to collect a key, rescue a heart, and carry it to safety. The knight has a simple move set: jumping, dashing, and wall climbing. When rescuing a heart, you can sling it on your back, but this severely reduces your movement and jumping ability. However, you can throw the heart to platforms out of reach or to avoid enemies.
The knight also has special abilities: by stunning specific enemies with the dash, you can steal their powers, boosting your abilities. The wolf ability lets you move nimbly, even with a heart on your back. The owl ability allows you to fly, and the mole ability lets you climb walls. These abilities add unique flavour to the precision platforming experience.
A Platformer That Bites Back
Expect the difficulty to be tough, especially the further you progress. One hit from an enemy or a fall into a spike pit, and it’s back to the start of the level or the nearest checkpoint, triggered when you rescue a heart. This can be frustrating, especially if precision platforming hasn’t clicked for you before.
The good news is respawning is instant with no load times. Personally, I generally got on okay with the game, though there were plenty of moments where deaths felt cheap. The hitboxes for defeating enemies felt off, and the jump button didn’t always respond as it should. Stolen Hearts: Wolf Knight could have benefited from a few accessibility options, like the ability to plant your own checkpoints in tougher segments.
For the Hardcore Platformer Fans
For dedicated platform fans, there’s a lot to sink your teeth into. Each level has three stars to obtain based on time and a hidden firefly to find, which unlocks new cosmetics. New levels are unlocked by finishing the previous one, so there’s no need to replay levels repeatedly to obtain more stars. If you’re really skilled, you can unlock a diamond rank by collecting everything in a level and finding a firefly. This will certainly appeal to speedrunners and platform perfectionists, but more casual players might not see the game through to its conclusion.
Conclusion: A Heartfelt Challenge
Stolen Hearts: Wolf Knight is a charming and challenging platformer that showcases the developer’s passion and creativity. While its difficulty might deter some casual players, those who enjoy precision platformers will find plenty to love. The adorable heart creatures, inventive level design, and satisfying mechanics make it a game worth experiencing. Whether you’re in it for the thrill of perfecting your runs or simply to enjoy the quirky, heartwarming adventure, Stolen Hearts: Wolf Knight is a gem that stands out in the crowded platformer genre. Just be prepared to face the Wolf King and maybe a few frustrating jumps along the way. A free demo of the game is available on Steam.
Final Verdict: I Like it
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