Freebie Feelers… Tokyo Jungle

Freebie Feelers is a series where we download the free monthly console-specific or newly released free-to-play games to test their worth.This series will contain some useful information as well as plenty of personal opinion. While these articles may not be reviews, we hope that you will be able to use them to help decide whether that free download is worth it.

What is it?

Tokyo Jungle is a survival action game for the PlayStation 3 that puts players in control of a number of different animals as you try to survive in a world without humans. As mankind is now extinct animals battle for supremacy with tooth and claw as the once bustling cities of mankind are overgrown and wild. Including both a story mode and a survival mode there is plenty of content for players to enjoy. Hunt for prey, fight to claim your territory and climb the food chain as you try to survive in the Tokyo Jungle.

What did you think?

I would be lying if I said that I wasn’t hooked on Tokyo Jungle and its captivating gameplay from the moment I started the game. It has a sense of style that is nothing I’ve seen before that really helps to bring the game's vision to life. Household pets give in to their most basic of sense in this kill-or-be-killed world where pomeranians fight alley cats as hippos relax in the background. The mix of animals you encounter within Tokyo Jungle is impressive if also confusing. I mean, it’s not often you find a kangaroo or a robot dog roaming around Tokyo next to a dilophosaurus. No I’m not joking, there are dinosaurs.

What Tokyo Jungle does surprisingly well is deliver a story that is engaging and interesting even if it is only drip fed to you. As you play through Survival Mode you will find archives that give the player small elements of the story. Once you have a gained a few of these you unlock a new story chapter which has you control a set animal and follow set objectives. What you learn over the course of the game is a tale of science fiction and wonder with the final details left open to interpretation which is completely fine. After all you will be drawn into Tokyo Jungle because of its gameplay so the story is an added bonus.

Speaking of the gameplay you wouldn’t think that dealing with a continuously draining set of meters would be fun but it really is. Learning to master the hunting of food to keep your belly full is as rewarding as it is challenging. Unlocking each district’s nest so you can find a mate and continue your family is fun. Each element within the gameplay of Tokyo Jungle is surprisingly addictive and satisfying even when you think the systems wouldn’t work well together. There is even an RPG feel to the game as you can earn permanent stats bonus by completing challenges, breeding with good mates and equipping items to buff your animal. There is just so much working together to make this game a complete joy to play.

Is it worth downloading?

Tokyo Jungle is a rather interesting and unique title that blends a number of ideas and concepts together in a fantastic way. As a title that is usually priced at £9.99 but currently included in July’s PlayStation Plus lineup you honestly can’t go wrong. It’s worth checking out even if the genre of survival action games is normally not your thing. There is something genuinely beautiful about Tokyo Jungle and you owe it to yourself to give it a go. So stop reading, get your PlayStation 3 on and download this title.