Jean Wick
HIGH The blunderbuss!
LOW The second act.
WTF Who knew a 17th century shotgun could be such a versatile tool?
I came to Sacre Bleu with little foreknowledge of musketeers. Having now spent several swashbuckling hours beneath one of their plumed hats, I can safely say I have overlooked the deadliest fighting force in human history. From standard swords and pistols to the more esoteric blunderbuss that doubles as a rocket propulsion system, the destructive capacity of these frisky Frenchmen cannot be overstated. Dubious historical accuracy aside, Sacre Bleu is an excellent demonstration of the alchemical potential between flexible mechanics and (mostly) tight design.
Ostensibly a 2D action-platformer, Sacre Bleu tasks players with battling through castles, kitchens and sewers to escape the clutches of a corrupt Cardinal and his army of mercenaries. However, the cartoony, side-scrolling trappings hide Sacre Bleu’s more tactical nature.
Due in large part to its heavy reliance on slow motion, combat in Sacre Bleu has a unique flow. Any time players aim one of their weapons, the action slows down, allowing ample time to plan an assault. Building on this foundation is the blunderbuss. Though counterintuitive, this rifle does not deal direct damage. Instead, firing blasts of air that can launch the player skyward and move objects, this weapon becomes a tool to set up elaborate attacks with the more bespoke weapons, such as the pistol and grenades.
There is a staccato rhythm to these fights. Snapping in and out of slow motion, bursts from the blunderbuss propel the musketeer across the battlefield lining up headshots, deflecting arrows and lobbing grenades along the way. Measured consideration and chaotic heroism form an exhilarating union as moments of careful planning are punctuated by explosions and corpses.
Sacre Bleu reinforces this cadence in its platforming. Many of the stages are made up of spike-filled mazes requiring quick, mid-air turns, and it is here that the blunderbuss truly takes center stage. Whether it’s launching me up to hard-to-reach ledges, providing a quick boost to outrun spinning blades, or simply knocking obstacles out of the way, I felt as though I was constantly finding new uses for it. With up to three bursts before touching down, freezing time mid-air to adjust the musketeer’s trajectory is a breeze. While intimidating in appearance, even the most complex sequences rely more on keen observation and planning than pinpoint precision.
Unfortunately, these stellar mechanics are let down by Sacre Bleu’s inconsistent camera. The perspective was often either too close or too far away. It just never seemed to be where I wanted, and I found it difficult to track my character during some of the trickier platforming segments. There were also times when my character outpaced the camera, and I’d sprint headlong into a wall of spikes I couldn’t yet see.
Compounding these issues is Sacre Bleu’s underbaked middle third. With a greater emphasis on puzzles, many of these sections require the player to stand in specific spots while using the blunderbuss to manipulate the environment. While a nice change of pace, these segments can be overly fiddly. Though not a deal breaker, knowing exactly what I needed to do, but being unable to execute because my character isn’t in quite the right spot is never a great feeling.
Ultimately, what I admire most about Sacre Bleu is its focus. The developers came up with a novel core mechanic in the blunderbuss and explored its full potential. While not every element is executed to perfection, there is nothing wasted, and Sacre Bleu never overstays its welcome. With a little tighter fit and finish, Sacre Bleu would be unimpeachable, instead it will have to settle for just being pretty darned good.
Rating: 7.5 out of 10
Disclosures: This game is developed by Hildring Studio Inc and published by Noodlecake Studios.It is currently available on PC and Switch. This copy of the game was obtained via publisher and reviewed on the Switch. Approximately 6 hours of play were devoted to the single-player mode, and the game was completed. There are no multiplayer modes.
Parents: According to the ESRB, this game is rated T and contains Blood, Crude Humor, and Violence. While this game contains pervasive violence, it’s presented in cartoony, unrealistic fashion. Additionally, the camera is generally pulled far enough back that the action appears small on the screen. Enemies can be killed with pistols, swords, grenades and arrows. There is a small amount of blood occasionally, and enemies cry out when killed. There is no profanity.
Colorblind Modes: There are no colorblind modes available.
Deaf & Hard of Hearing Gamers: This game offers subtitles. The subtitles cannot be altered and/or resized. There is no recorded dialogue in this game, and all conversations are represented in on-screen text boxes. All visual cues are accompanied by on-screen indicators. About half of my playtime was without sound and I did not experience any issues or difficulties. This game is fully accessible.
Remappable Controls: Yes, this game offers fully remappable controls.
Following this introduction, Ryan dove headlong into the 16 and 64-bit eras, culminating in the year 2000 with a fateful visit to the local game shop.On the recommendation of a saintly store clerk, Ryan picked up a copy of Deus Ex and, shortly thereafter, embarked on the vain quest to find a game that tops it.
This journey has led Ryan to GameCritics where he attempts to articulate why he still finds this medium so compelling.When not playing or writing about games, Ryan can be found watching competition reality television with his wife, their dog, and three cats.
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