"The Curse of the Blue Figurine" There was an ancient legend that spoke of a mysterious curse associated with a small blue figurine. The figurine was said to possess great power and bring misfortune to anyone who possessed it. According to the legend, the curse was the result of a powerful sorcerer who had been betrayed by his closest friend. In his anger and despair, the sorcerer crafted the blue figurine and imbued it with his dark magic. Anyone who touched the figurine would be subject to the sorcerer's curse. Over the years, the figurine passed from hand to hand, leaving a trail of tragedy and suffering in its wake.
Of course, the fewer people that know, the better. Jaucian said the costumes cost about $5,000 to replace and there have been occasions in which they’ve been stolen. She recalled one person stealing a Bucky out of the back of a car. It was found by a dumpster at an apartment complex. In 2010, one Bucky Badger had his head stolen from his campus area apartment during a party. The mascot head was returned the next morning.
Throughout my playtime I would befriend most of the players that were considered relevant at that time, and when I finally decided to get to know them better, toodlekim introduced me to the server s Teamspeak, nowadays a mere nostalgic memory. Jaucian said that, before the pandemic, Bucky Badger participated in 700-750 events per year, including Badgers sporting events, weddings, corporate gatherings, parades and birthday parties.
Over the years, the figurine passed from hand to hand, leaving a trail of tragedy and suffering in its wake. It was said that those who encountered the figurine would experience a string of unexplained accidents, strange illness, and even death. The curse seemed to target not only the possessor of the figurine but also their loved ones.
Tamarin Review
HIGH The art style and soundtrack are wonderful.
LOW The gunplay and platforming feel stiff.
WTF The ridiculous image of a monkey being given a gun.
Since joining GameCritics, I’ve carved a niche out among my fellow writers. I’d like to think I’m one of the multiplayer experts, but deep down I’m actually someone who loves old-school platformers — especially the 3D mascot variety. This was reinforced when I got an email from the editor in which he used the words “seems like your jam” when describing an indie called Tamarin.
Tamarin is a 3D platformer in which players control the titular species of monkey in an attempt to save their home from evil insects. The protagonist can jump, climb walls and do backflips to get to hard-to-reach places around an interconnected world.
Thanks to the five minutes of research I did on Wikipedia, I learned that tamarins are squirrel-sized monkeys that live in the rainforest in parts of Central and South America. However, no research led me to believe that they use guns, make friends with talking hedgehogs or fight heavily-armed ants in burning forests. On the outside, Tamarin seems like a normal 3D platformer, but it becomes something else entirely — with mixed results.
Starting on the positive side, Tamarin‘s aesthetic is unique. Characters are highly stylized, and the main character has an adorably expressive face thanks to big eyes and nice fur effects. Enemy designs are also cool, with the enemy ants having an odd sci-fi look. I also love the noises Tamarin makes as he jumps and dives — I never got tired of the little squeaks, and coupled with a sleeping idle animation, I felt like I was constantly being served cuteness on a platter.
The music is also kick-ass. Coming straight from the N64 era, it has an interesting mix of synths and drums that ramps up as the action does.
Unfortunately, while Tamarin appears to be a 3D platforming adventure game ripped out of a bygone era, that’s only half the experience. The other half is a third-person shooter that has our monkey rescuing trapped animals, grabbing collectibles, blasting enemies and upgrading weapons.
I suspect that Tamarin might be paying homage to something from the N64 era, but I can’t say that I’ve played whatever that may be. However, I can safely say that it does feel like an N64 shooter in all the worst ways, primarily as the camera fights with walls and surfaces, and in the stiff shooting.
Instead of being able to move and shoot, players hold still and use a large crosshair that locks onto enemies. Also, whenever a weapon is equipped, the ability to dive, ground pound or roll is disabled, making the nonlinear levels a slog. Perhaps this setup would have made more sense in the N64 era but we’ve seen plenty of games in the same genre deliver better experiences since then.
Tamarin struggles tonally as well. It’s true that a lot of kid-friendly media uses dark and scary imagery to drive its point home, and Tamarin uses the same techniques effectively in the early sections when giving Tamarin motivation to save his family. Unfortunately, the effect is later lost thanks to some awkward poems detailing his sadness that feel hilariously out of place during the loading screens. It never felt natural, just incredibly jarring.
Overall, Tamarin is an admirable attempt to bring back a type of game not widely popular in modern times. However, despite my love of old-school experiences, this sticks too close to its roots in the worst possible ways — this adorable monkey can’t save shoddy, outdated game design.
Rating: 5 out of 10
Disclosures: This game is published and developed by Chameleon Games. It is available on PC, PS4 and XBO. This copy was obtained via publisher and was reviewed on PS4. Approximately 8 hours were spent in single-player and was completed. There is no multiplayer.
Parents: According to the ESRB, this game is rated E10 for Fantasy Violence and Mild Blood. This is a mascot platformer where players control a monkey with a gun. It’s not too violent but there are a few frightening moments. The ants look menacing and the themes of losing a home and family could be a bit much for young kids.
Colorblind Modes: There are no colorblind modes present.
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Gamers: All dialogue is presented through text. Sound is not required for gameplay and there are no necessary audio cues. Subtitles cannot be resized. This game is fully accessible.
Remappable Controls: No, the controls are not remappable. There is no control diagram. Players use the left stick to move, right stick to control the camera and the X button to jump. The triggers and bumpers are used for crouching or shooting, depending on whether or not a gun is equipped. The Y-axis cannot be inverted
CJ has loved video games ever since he watched the opening cinematic to Sonic Heroes (with that killer Crush 40 song) back when he was six years old. Over 17 years later, he’s found himself at GameCritics writing about the things he loves.
He has a knack for talking about movies and games he‘s passionate about. If anyone ever needs an expert on Jim Jarmusch, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, Donkey Kong Country, or Kanye West, he’s your guy. Don’t say we didn't warn you, though.
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Rating: 5 out of 10
Many had sought the figurine, believing they could harness its power for their own gain. But such attempts always ended in disaster. The curse seemed relentless, striking fear into the hearts of all who knew of its existence. Desperate to break the curse, some tried to destroy the figurine. They burned it, buried it, and even threw it into the depths of the sea. But no matter how hard they tried, the figurine always reappeared. Rumors spread that there was only one way to break the curse. The cursed one had to find the sorcerer's tomb and return the figurine to its resting place. Only then would the curse be lifted, and the power of the blue figurine rendered null. Many bravely ventured on a quest to find the sorcerer's tomb, hoping to bring an end to the curse once and for all. But the journey was treacherous, filled with traps and obstacles beyond imagination. Some never returned, lost forever in their pursuit of freedom from the curse. The curse of the blue figurine became a cautionary tale, passed down through generations to warn against the dangers of seeking power without considering the consequences. It stood as a reminder that true power should be earned through integrity and compassion, rather than obtained through dark and forbidden means. Though the curse of the blue figurine remained a mystery, its legacy lived on, reminding those who heard the tale of the importance of making choices wisely. And so, the cursed figurine continued to be hidden away, waiting for the day when someone brave enough would break the curse and restore balance to the world..
Reviews for "Ancient Curses and Modern Consequences: The Curse of the Blue Figurine"
1. Sarah - 2/5 stars - The Curse of the Blue Figurine was a huge disappointment for me. The plot seemed promising, with a cursed artifact and a teenage protagonist, but it fell flat in execution. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked development, making it difficult to feel invested in their journey. The pacing was also off, with the story dragging in some parts and rushing through others. Overall, I found this book to be lackluster and would not recommend it.
2. Alex - 1/5 stars - I regret picking up The Curse of the Blue Figurine. The writing was juvenile, and the dialogue was unrealistic. The main character, Johnny Dixon, came across as annoying and melodramatic, making it hard to root for him. The plot felt predictable and lacked any real suspense. I was expecting a thrilling mystery, but instead, I got a boring and predictable story. I wouldn't waste my time on this book if I were you.
3. John - 2/5 stars - The Curse of the Blue Figurine had potential, but it failed to live up to it. The concept of a cursed artifact and ancient magic was intriguing, but the execution fell short. The writing felt forced and lacked depth, making it difficult to engage with the story. The pacing was inconsistent, with boring stretches in between brief moments of excitement. The ending was also disappointing and felt rushed. I wouldn't recommend this book unless you have a very high tolerance for average storytelling.
4. Emma - 2/5 stars - The Curse of the Blue Figurine left me underwhelmed. The characters lacked depth and felt like caricatures, making it hard to care about their fates. The plot had potential, but it became predictable and fell into common tropes. The pacing was sluggish, with excessive exposition and unnecessary details, slowing down the story. Overall, this book was forgettable, and there are much better options if you're looking for a captivating mystery or adventure.