Ayo the Clown may be the first game that made me feel that a shark (that was in the middle of trying to bite me) was adorable. It’s a pretty cute platformer.
Ayo’s dog Bo has gone missing somewhere in this world of oversized toys, cutesy wild animals, and water balloon weaponry. Ayo’s got quite a few tools in his pockets to deal with all of the troubles you’re going to run into, thankfully. Didn’t quite make that jump? Pull out a balloon and float a bit. Something nipping at you? A water balloon should calm it down. If getting a foe damp isn’t enough (or you need to hit something really hard), you have a large toy hammer to smash stuff with. And, if you weren’t sick of all of the things this clown can do with balloons, he can also make a sword out of one. Or just hop in a tank and shoot things. The tank is kinda cute, though, so it jives with the rest of the aesthetic.
It’s that charming, toy-like look that makes the game so wonderful to explore. Everything looks light and goofy (even if you’re surrounded by lava or those sharks mean to bite you), with characters bouncing and hopping as they move around. It’s got an upbeat, playful look to it that drags you into the action and keeps you working to save that goofy dog of yours. Every new world is a treat to see, with some creative ideas showcased in each zone that make it feel unique and appealing to just look at.
Ayo the Clown is a cheerful bit of platforming fun that kept me playing with its suite of varied, funny weapons and the appealing variety of its stages. Even if you don’t like clowns much, Ayo might be able to change your mind.
Ayo the Clown is available now on the Nintendo eShop, PlayStation Store, Microsoft Store, and Steam.
