(Image credit: Foam Sword Games)

Penfurzy Rebel Bicycle Club Wants You

Ever want to just solve impossible problems by going on an outdoor adventure with a best friend? Follow two young girls as they journey across an English island searching for a fabled buried treasure in Knights and Bikes by Double Fine Productions and Foam Sword Games. The Load Screen reviews this single or co-op game available for Xbox, PlayStation, PC, and Nintendo Switch. There were small issues with losing the player character behind bushes and other times when the camera got lost behind scenery. However, the hand-drawn art style and touching story were enjoyable despite any minor issues.

Knights and Bikes is an adventure exploration game with the entire world made of 2D assets layered throughout a 3D environment. The two main characters bike around, interact with several islanders, and use improvised abilities to solve puzzles and find treasure. It was first Kickstarted in March 2016 and was brought to life by the Foam Sword Games team made of several creators from LittleBigPlanet and Ratchet & Clank. That talent melds an interesting and heartwarming story with an art-style that make this title unique.

(Image credit: Foam Sword Games)

The story told in Knights and Bikes is moving and covers personal losses, so it may be harder for some younger audience at times. For the most part, the main characters Demelza and Nessa do their best to overcome any negative life events by biking adventures. Those escapades take place all over Penfurzy Island in 1980s Britain. The narrative begins with Nessa arriving to the island and meeting the younger Demelza and her pet goose Honkers. The heartwarming story of togetherness and friendship picks up as they form the Penfurzy Rebel Bicycle Club. The action is scattered across 6 distinct levels that bring the pair closer together as they uncover the truth behind the legendary hidden treasure.

As the rebel club gets deeper into the mystery, they will need to upgrade their bikes. Most of the upgrades are cosmetic, so holding onto treasure and trinkets until later does not pay off. This is the only letdown of the game because it looks as if there is an expansive RPG-style upgrade menu for the bicycles that ends up being mainly decorative. The game makes up for this with challenges best friends would make to each other like races and hitting targets. There is even some arguing between the two besties that brings more life to their friendship.

(Image credit: Foam Sword Games)

The touching story is matched well with the artistic style of this game. Every object is hand-drawn and adds to the eighty’s punk-rock vibes throughout all of the lonely British island. Trees, bushes, houses, docks, and everything in between is meticulously detailed to inspire imaginations both young and old. A few times some of the art got in the way of seeing both players, especially in co-op. This was not due to the art itself, but the 2D elements implemented in a 3D-style. In single player, switching to a visible character resolves the issue quickly since the AI automatically follows the player from anywhere.

Knights and Bikes offers several hours of escape for anyone who plays. If you voice-act the characters like I did on my playthrough, it will take longer while being more engaging and deeper. The beautiful artwork and story are worth experiencing at least once, especially if the game is played with a friend or couch co-op. The Load Screen approves any game that makes you want to ride your bike all day and find legendary treasure with a best friend.

Knights and Bikes

• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch

• Developer: Foam Sword Games

• Publisher: Double Fine Productions, Inc.

• Release Date: August 27, 2019