I grew up with a lot of love for Nickelodeon cartoons, and it’s great getting to check in with them every few years through video game releases and recent movies. The latest celebration of Nicktoons comes in a surprising form: an action role-playing game in the vein of Diablo with a tabletop game aesthetic. With plenty of charm and some great drop-in/drop-out multiplayer, Nicktoons & The Dice of Destiny is a refreshing celebration of imagination and some of the most beloved cartoon characters ever made.
The Fairly Oddparents’ Timmy Turner sets the story in motion, as his wish brings his favorite game to life and also sucks in a wide array of different cartoon characters. With a surprising amount of voiced dialogue and some nice cutscenes, I was really impressed with the presentation here. You’re given five characters to choose from initially (and unlock a couple more throughout the game): Timmy, SpongeBob, Sandy Cheeks, Leonardo from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Katara from Avatar. Each maps onto a different character class that is true to their personality, and it’s a great blend of the source material with fantasy tropes.
Gameplay is on the relatively simple side of the genre, which is fitting, but you’ll still unlock special attacks and different loot as the game continues. Whether you’re playing with your kids or just looking to relax after a long day of work, Nicktoons & The Dice of Destiny winds up being a charming and chill experience. The different maps look great, as you fight your way through enemies in environments based on different Nickelodeon shows. There are a lot of small touches, which means the bigger Nicktoon fan you are, the more you’ll get out of this.
There are also a lot of fun side characters that make appearances as sidequest givers. I was shocked at just how many characters I remembered from some of the shows, especially since I haven’t seen Jimmy Neutron or The Fairly Oddparents in well over 15 years. It’s this trip of nostalgia, which is then paired with an enjoyable gameplay loop that is always fun yet never frustrating, that makes Nicktoons & The Dice of Destiny just a really good time.
My favorite moments in the game came in co-op, though, as it’s really easy for another player to jump in. The characters’ abilities mesh well together, such as Katara being able to heal, so you’re able to really aid any younger player through the experience if they struggle solo. Whether you know all the characters or not, they become inherently likable as you play with them, and that is sure to make children want to check out the shows they’re not familiar with.
Nicktoons & The Dice of Destiny Review: Final Verdict
Developers Fair Play Labs and Petit Fabrik have done a great job with Nicktoons & The Dice of Destiny. Not only does it pay proper respect to the cartoons and the characters we love, but it blends it with a clear reverence for tabletop gaming and fantasy tropes. It’s a rewarding combination that makes the game fun for gamers of all ages, especially if you are looking to play with others locally.
SCORE: 8/10
As ComingSoon’s review policy explains, a score of 8 equates to “Great.” While there are a few minor issues, this score means that the art succeeds at its goal and leaves a memorable impact.
Disclosure: The publisher provided a PlayStation 5 copy for our Nicktoons & The Dice of Destiny review. Reviewed on version 1.002.000.
