Game Informer Pans Bubsy 4D, Saying 6-Hour Platformer Fails a 33-Year Franchise

5 articles · Updated · Game Informer · May 21

Game Informer called Bubsy 4D a miserable six-hour experience, arguing the new platformer offers little reason for newcomers to engage with the 33-year-old series.
The review says its core movement set—long-jump pounce, double jump and glide—has some promise, but poor control, repetitive combat and bland level design smother any fun.
Three five-stage worlds send players after 150 yarn balls per level and hidden blueprint scrolls, yet the collectathon structure is undermined by muddy visuals, a wonky camera and awkward progression.
Threadbare characters, randomly deployed voice acting and what the review describes as terrible writing leave the Woolies, BaaBots and supporting cast adding almost nothing beyond frustration.
The verdict frames Bubsy 4D as a failed revival attempt, saying the latest entry returns the mascot to the infamy that has long shadowed the franchise.

Is Bubsy 4D a misunderstood gem or another disaster, with reviews split just days before its official release?

How did a celebrated indie developer seemingly repeat the mistakes of the infamously bad Bubsy franchise?