A unique puzzle game that's deceptively cute.
This title is all about the game-play, which is a combination of frantic, challenging, and fun. For most of the game the fuzzy pair are separated from each other as you move them up the left and right sides of the screen independently. They have to help each other progress by pulling ropes, flipping switches, solving puzzles and operating contraptions to move obstacles and clear pathways.
It's a simple concept, but having to control both characters at the same time with time limits to completing each area, and a variety of hazards along the way does raise the tension level. Each time your succumb to an enemy or fall off a ledge into a river, time is taken off your clock. You also run the risk of losing valuable seconds if you stand still for too long, as an animal of some kind will try to attach itself to you and drain the clock.
In single player mode your left analog stick moves Cookie, and L1 and L2 are your action and jump buttons. Cream is controlled with the right stick and R1 and R2. This gives your brain an exceptional work out when trying to co-ordinate their actions.
There is a 2 player mode as well so that you only need to focus on your own character. This of course means that co-operation and communication is a must if you don't want to start resenting anyone who's nice enough to play with you.
Each of the 8 worlds is broken up into 4 fast paced levels, with a boss to square off against at the end. Neither the puzzles or boss fights get repetitive or boring. There's always lots of energy generated while you play which avoids any sort of boredom setting in. The amount of challenge in the game is also hidden under a guise of cuteness.
There was what I believe was an attempt at making it sound as cute as it looks, unfortunately the noises your pair of rabbits make serve more to annoy than impress.
Each level in each world also has items tucked out of the way which you can collect. These include puzzle pieces which will let you unlock new characters, and gifts which are there to collect for the sake of collecting. These items, along with the option to beat your best times, will add some replay value for the completionists and high-score enthusiast. If you're neither of these, then the replay value may be limited.
Should you need a break from the main plot, there are some 2 player mini games that become available which pit Cookie and Cream against each other, instead of teaming them up.
An excellent example of a simple concept executed to deliver a fun, albeit occasionally frustrating (particularly the final boss fight), puzzle game with an original twist to keep players engaged. If you can keep your cool, then Cookie and Cream can take you on an adventure you won't soon forget.