Super Lucky's Tale - Gilly Island Add-On Review

​All Inclusive For A Low Price
By Edwin Velez
​Reviewed on Xbox One
​Released on February 28th, 2018 on Xbox One and PC
Developer: ​Playful
​Publisher: ​Microsoft Studios

In the fall of last year, hot on the heels of the Xbox One X’s release, Microsoft released Super Lucky’s Tale. This was their take and vision on the classic 3D platformer style that has recently had a resurgence. Complete with cute graphics, a loveable mascot, and varied gameplay, it had all the makings to be a hit. Sadly, due to mixed reviews and being overshadowed by the instant classic Mario Odyssey, Super Lucky did not quite take off. I played it recently at the start of the year, and found it rather enjoyable. For a $30, it really is a solid experience. It has about 4 worlds, each with side scrolling, isometric, and full 3D variety of levels as well as side puzzle quests, collectables, and a loveable cast of characters. It is vibrant, light hearted, and easily approachable, but it is not perfect. Some technical issues, funky camera angles, and not always smooth controls do hold it back, but it is still worth some general audience’s attention without a doubt.

From what seemed like a total surprise, just recently a new add on was released for Super Lucky’s Tale. It adds a new beach themed world, as well as an uppity and “musically inclined” nemesis to match suit. Lady Meowmalade is her name, and catchy songs are her game. Well, if catchy can be replaced with heartless and talentless, then yes, her music is “catchy”. What was once a booming vacation spot has now grown practically unbearable as her latest single is begrudgingly played over and over again. Gilly Island’s visitors are sick of dancing to it, and it is up to Lucky to once again save the day!

For $5, Gilly Island is a nice little expansion. Players are treated to four additional levels, each being one of the standard styles from the base game: Sidescrolling, Open 3D, Isometric, and of course ending with a boss fight against the aforementioned feline foe. There are also additional puzzle levels for an extra challenge, as well as a new “race” of characters, that being the titular Gilly people. These fish-like creatures exhibit all the creative colorfulness of the rest of the inhabitants, and their island is visited by familiar faces like the worms and ghosts from the base game. Aside from that, it’s more of what you expect. I liked the level design, and the music that was not Meowmalade’s was really catchy and stood out. There are still a few issues, like depth perception, which makes landing in the water and losing a life pretty much inevitable. The boss fight was an annoyance, but was fairly challenging in a sense too. 

Lucky is a great character, and has a solid game to back him. Had I not received a press copy of the DLC, I surely would have bought it at such a fair price. It is not the longest, nor most invigorating add on, but it is more of a good thing. If you played throughout the base game and are ready to hunt more achievements and clovers, or just really love Lucky as a whole, the DLC is a no brainer.
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Note: A copy of this DLC was provided for the purpose of the review.

Final Score: 7.5/10

+Same Great Lucky
+Fun New Setting/Boss
+Catchy Tunes (Just Not Meowmalades!)
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-Same Old Technical Issues