A colourful, cozy platformer
By Paul Hunter
The Care Bears are back in action with Care Bears: To The Rescue, a vibrant 2D platformer that brings the beloved bears into a new adventure. With an art style reminiscent of the latest animated series, this title offers a nostalgic yet fresh experience, blending simple platforming with cooperative gameplay. Designed primarily for younger gamers and families, it provides an accessible journey through the whimsical world of Silver Lining, where teamwork and positivity are the keys to success.
In this adventure, you join Cheer Bear, Grumpy Bear, Funshine Bear, Share Bear, and Good Luck Bear as they battle Bluster’s sinister Bad Seed, which threatens to spread negativity across the land. By using their unique Belly Badge powers, these cuddly heroes must cleanse corrupted creatures, navigate colourful environments, and restore joy to their world.
With local co-op for up to four players, a mix of platforming and puzzle-solving, and an emphasis on friendly, lighthearted fun, Care Bears: To The Rescue invites you to hop, zap, and spread kindness in a journey that’s as heartwarming as it is playful.
Care Bears: To The Rescue follows the Care Bears on a heartfelt adventure to save Silver Lining from the mischievous Bluster’s latest scheme. This time, he has unleashed the Bad Seed, a dark force capable of corrupting everything it touches. The once-cheerful world of Silver Lining is now overrun with tangled vines and gloom, threatening to snuff out happiness entirely.
Leading the charge against this impending darkness are some of the most beloved Care Bears from the cartoon. Each bear brings their signature charm and abilities to the mission, using the Power of the Badge to restore peace and joy. Their goal is to purify the infected areas of Silver Lining, gathering the essential Caring Energy needed to power up the Heart Cannon, a powerful device capable of reversing Bluster’s damage.
Throughout the adventure, the Care Bears must journey through five distinct areas, each reflecting the growing corruption caused by the Bad Seed. Along the way, they’ll encounter twisted versions of familiar creatures and environmental challenges designed to test their teamwork and resolve. While the mission seems daunting, these bears have never backed down from spreading kindness, and they won’t start now.
The story, while straightforward, fits perfectly within the spirit of the franchise. It provides a lighthearted yet meaningful backdrop for the adventure, reinforcing the values of teamwork, empathy, and perseverance. Fans of the series will appreciate the familiar characters and themes, while newcomers can easily follow along in this uplifting journey to bring colour and happiness back to the world.
Care Bears: To The Rescue delivers a straightforward yet enjoyable platforming experience designed for a younger audience. Its 2D side-scrolling levels offer a mix of jumping challenges, environmental hazards, and simple enemy encounters, all wrapped in the cheerful aesthetic of the Care Bears universe. You control one of several beloved bears, each equipped with their signature Belly Badge power, used to cleanse the world of the corruption caused by the Bad Seed. Whether purifying corrupted creatures or dispelling obstacles, these abilities reinforce the game’s uplifting themes of kindness and teamwork.
Level design is simple but varied, featuring five distinct zones across the world of Silver Lining. Each area introduces new challenges, from shifting platforms to hazardous terrain, though nothing is designed to be too punishing. The game gradually increases in complexity, ensuring that younger gamers won’t feel overwhelmed. Strategic use of Belly Badge abilities plays a key role in progression, encouraging light problem-solving while maintaining an straightforward difficulty curve.
A notable highlight is the inclusion of cooperative multiplayer, allowing up to four gamers to play together locally. This feature makes the game an excellent choice for families, promoting teamwork while providing a safety net for younger gamers who might struggle with certain sections. With no life system in place, failure simply resets progress to the last checkpoint, reducing frustration and keeping the experience inviting for all skill levels.
In addition to platforming segments, the game introduces occasional shoot ‘em up-style sections where you take to the skies in a Care Bears-themed aircraft. These moments provide a refreshing change of pace, as you must clear airborne threats and eliminate corrupted growths before taking on a larger boss. Each zone culminates in a boss encounter, typically against a larger manifestation of the Bad Seed’s corruption. These battles require well-timed use of Belly Badge powers but remain forgiving in difficulty, ensuring accessibility.
Beyond the main levels, various minigames introduce additional variety. These short challenges range from reassembling electrical systems to performing quick service tasks for other Care Bears, providing moments of light puzzle-solving and reflex-based gameplay. While optional, they offer a break from the core platforming experience and contribute to the game’s relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere.
Care Bears: To The Rescue may not pose a significant challenge for experienced gamers, but its cooperative play and charming mechanics make it a welcoming and enjoyable experience for younger audiences and families looking to share a lighthearted adventure.
Care Bears: To The Rescue embraces a bright, cheerful aesthetic that stays true to the animated series. The world is packed with soft pastels and rounded designs, creating an inviting and nostalgic atmosphere. Each of the five main areas showcases a distinct visual identity, filled with vibrant landscapes and playful animations. Character models are expressive, ensuring that every Care Bear feels as lively and recognizable as their cartoon counterparts. While the environments lean on the simple side, they effectively capture the whimsical charm expected from the franchise.
The game's user interface is clean and easy to navigate, ensuring that younger gamers can easily flip through menus and in-game prompts. Character animations, from jumping to unleashing their signature belly powers, flow smoothly, maintaining a consistent level of visual polish throughout. However, some environmental textures and background details appear somewhat basic compared to modern platformers, but this doesn’t detract from the game’s overall appeal.
The audio design complements the visuals with lighthearted tunes that match the game's upbeat nature. While none of the tracks stand out as particularly memorable, they provide a fitting backdrop without becoming repetitive. Sound effects, from the gentle hum of Care Bear Stare attacks to the playful bounces of platforming, are simple yet effective. One small drawback is the lack of voice acting, which could make it slightly more challenging for younger children who aren’t yet strong readers to follow along with dialogue.
Technically, Care Bears runs smoothly, with brief load times, allowing for seamless transitions between levels, and the game maintains a steady frame rate throughout. There are no significant performance issues, making for a fun-filled experience suitable for all ages. Despite its modest production values, the presentation successfully delivers a warm and welcoming Care Bears adventure.
Final Score: 7.5/10 - Good
Developer: Polygoat, Highball Games
Publisher: Forever Entertainment
Genre: Platformer, Action
Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer
A key was provided by the publisher.
By Paul Hunter
The Care Bears are back in action with Care Bears: To The Rescue, a vibrant 2D platformer that brings the beloved bears into a new adventure. With an art style reminiscent of the latest animated series, this title offers a nostalgic yet fresh experience, blending simple platforming with cooperative gameplay. Designed primarily for younger gamers and families, it provides an accessible journey through the whimsical world of Silver Lining, where teamwork and positivity are the keys to success.
In this adventure, you join Cheer Bear, Grumpy Bear, Funshine Bear, Share Bear, and Good Luck Bear as they battle Bluster’s sinister Bad Seed, which threatens to spread negativity across the land. By using their unique Belly Badge powers, these cuddly heroes must cleanse corrupted creatures, navigate colourful environments, and restore joy to their world.
With local co-op for up to four players, a mix of platforming and puzzle-solving, and an emphasis on friendly, lighthearted fun, Care Bears: To The Rescue invites you to hop, zap, and spread kindness in a journey that’s as heartwarming as it is playful.
Care Bears: To The Rescue follows the Care Bears on a heartfelt adventure to save Silver Lining from the mischievous Bluster’s latest scheme. This time, he has unleashed the Bad Seed, a dark force capable of corrupting everything it touches. The once-cheerful world of Silver Lining is now overrun with tangled vines and gloom, threatening to snuff out happiness entirely.
Leading the charge against this impending darkness are some of the most beloved Care Bears from the cartoon. Each bear brings their signature charm and abilities to the mission, using the Power of the Badge to restore peace and joy. Their goal is to purify the infected areas of Silver Lining, gathering the essential Caring Energy needed to power up the Heart Cannon, a powerful device capable of reversing Bluster’s damage.
Throughout the adventure, the Care Bears must journey through five distinct areas, each reflecting the growing corruption caused by the Bad Seed. Along the way, they’ll encounter twisted versions of familiar creatures and environmental challenges designed to test their teamwork and resolve. While the mission seems daunting, these bears have never backed down from spreading kindness, and they won’t start now.
The story, while straightforward, fits perfectly within the spirit of the franchise. It provides a lighthearted yet meaningful backdrop for the adventure, reinforcing the values of teamwork, empathy, and perseverance. Fans of the series will appreciate the familiar characters and themes, while newcomers can easily follow along in this uplifting journey to bring colour and happiness back to the world.
Care Bears: To The Rescue delivers a straightforward yet enjoyable platforming experience designed for a younger audience. Its 2D side-scrolling levels offer a mix of jumping challenges, environmental hazards, and simple enemy encounters, all wrapped in the cheerful aesthetic of the Care Bears universe. You control one of several beloved bears, each equipped with their signature Belly Badge power, used to cleanse the world of the corruption caused by the Bad Seed. Whether purifying corrupted creatures or dispelling obstacles, these abilities reinforce the game’s uplifting themes of kindness and teamwork.
Level design is simple but varied, featuring five distinct zones across the world of Silver Lining. Each area introduces new challenges, from shifting platforms to hazardous terrain, though nothing is designed to be too punishing. The game gradually increases in complexity, ensuring that younger gamers won’t feel overwhelmed. Strategic use of Belly Badge abilities plays a key role in progression, encouraging light problem-solving while maintaining an straightforward difficulty curve.
A notable highlight is the inclusion of cooperative multiplayer, allowing up to four gamers to play together locally. This feature makes the game an excellent choice for families, promoting teamwork while providing a safety net for younger gamers who might struggle with certain sections. With no life system in place, failure simply resets progress to the last checkpoint, reducing frustration and keeping the experience inviting for all skill levels.
In addition to platforming segments, the game introduces occasional shoot ‘em up-style sections where you take to the skies in a Care Bears-themed aircraft. These moments provide a refreshing change of pace, as you must clear airborne threats and eliminate corrupted growths before taking on a larger boss. Each zone culminates in a boss encounter, typically against a larger manifestation of the Bad Seed’s corruption. These battles require well-timed use of Belly Badge powers but remain forgiving in difficulty, ensuring accessibility.
Beyond the main levels, various minigames introduce additional variety. These short challenges range from reassembling electrical systems to performing quick service tasks for other Care Bears, providing moments of light puzzle-solving and reflex-based gameplay. While optional, they offer a break from the core platforming experience and contribute to the game’s relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere.
Care Bears: To The Rescue may not pose a significant challenge for experienced gamers, but its cooperative play and charming mechanics make it a welcoming and enjoyable experience for younger audiences and families looking to share a lighthearted adventure.
Care Bears: To The Rescue embraces a bright, cheerful aesthetic that stays true to the animated series. The world is packed with soft pastels and rounded designs, creating an inviting and nostalgic atmosphere. Each of the five main areas showcases a distinct visual identity, filled with vibrant landscapes and playful animations. Character models are expressive, ensuring that every Care Bear feels as lively and recognizable as their cartoon counterparts. While the environments lean on the simple side, they effectively capture the whimsical charm expected from the franchise.
The game's user interface is clean and easy to navigate, ensuring that younger gamers can easily flip through menus and in-game prompts. Character animations, from jumping to unleashing their signature belly powers, flow smoothly, maintaining a consistent level of visual polish throughout. However, some environmental textures and background details appear somewhat basic compared to modern platformers, but this doesn’t detract from the game’s overall appeal.
The audio design complements the visuals with lighthearted tunes that match the game's upbeat nature. While none of the tracks stand out as particularly memorable, they provide a fitting backdrop without becoming repetitive. Sound effects, from the gentle hum of Care Bear Stare attacks to the playful bounces of platforming, are simple yet effective. One small drawback is the lack of voice acting, which could make it slightly more challenging for younger children who aren’t yet strong readers to follow along with dialogue.
Technically, Care Bears runs smoothly, with brief load times, allowing for seamless transitions between levels, and the game maintains a steady frame rate throughout. There are no significant performance issues, making for a fun-filled experience suitable for all ages. Despite its modest production values, the presentation successfully delivers a warm and welcoming Care Bears adventure.
The Verdict
Care Bears: To The Rescue is a charming and accessible platformer that brings the beloved Care Bears into a vibrant, side-scrolling adventure. Designed for younger gamers and families, the game successfully captures the spirit of teamwork and kindness that has defined the franchise for decades. With its colourful visuals, simple yet enjoyable gameplay, and a cooperative multiplayer mode, it delivers an experience that encourages shared play and teamwork. Whether you're revisiting childhood memories or introducing the Care Bears to a new generation, this game delivers a wholesome adventure worth playing.Final Score: 7.5/10 - Good
Care Bears: To The Rescue details
Platform: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox OneDeveloper: Polygoat, Highball Games
Publisher: Forever Entertainment
Genre: Platformer, Action
Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer
A key was provided by the publisher.