Ruffy and the Riverside Demo Early Hands-On Preview

Cartoon characters and colorful mushrooms in a forest scene from "Ruffy and the Riverside." A bear jumps near a waterfall.

Ruffy and the Riverside is a colourful 3D platformer built around its unique SWAP gameplay mechanic. With it, you can copy textures from objects and apply them elsewhere, reshaping the environment in creative ways. The game blends platforming, puzzle-solving, and exploration, offering a mix of 3D open-world levels and 2D segments.

I played the Ruffy and the Riverside demo on Steam ahead of its February 11, 2025 public release prior to Steam Next Fest on February 24. This early look introduced me to its charming world, quirky characters, and inventive mechanics. From swapping waterfalls into climbable vines to turning stone into wood to create paths, the demo showed how much freedom SWAP provides.

With a hub world packed with side activities, collectibles, and puzzle-filled levels, Ruffy and the Riverside stands out as more than just another platformer. Launching in April, Ruffy and the Riverside will be available on PC, Nintendo Switch(es), PlayStation 5, and Xbox consoles. The demo gave me a taste of its creative gameplay mechanics, and I’m excited to see how the full game expands on them.

In Ruffy and the Riverside, a cartoon character on a floating island with a waterfall, talking to a raccoon. Text reads about urgency to leave.

Creative Platforming with the SWAP Mechanic

Ruffy and the Riverside’s demo wastes no time introducing its most unique feature: SWAP. This ability lets you copy textures from objects and paste them onto others, changing their properties. Need to climb a waterfall? Turn it into vines. Need a bridge? Transform water into ice. This gameplay mechanic isn’t just a gimmick—it’s the foundation of both exploration and puzzle-solving.

I was surprised by how intuitive SWAP felt. The process of scanning an object, selecting a target, and applying the texture was smooth, making experimentation fun. One of my favourite moments was when I used SWAP to turn breakable wooden crates into solid stone, creating a makeshift staircase to reach a hidden collectible. Another time, I changed a section of quicksand into a walkable surface, completely altering the way I approached a level.

Colorful cartoon scene with animals, paintings, and festive bunting. A cheerful character dances in the foreground.

Platforming feels responsive, with Ruffy’s movement being smooth and easy to control. The double jump and flutter mechanic reminded me of classic 3D platformers like Banjo-Kazooie and Jak and Daxter, offering just enough air control for tricky jumps. Collectibles are hidden in ways that push you to think and use the SWAP gameplay mechanic creatively.

The hub world is lively and packed with interactive elements. There are NPCs to talk to, side activities, and even a black-and-white 2D section that completely shifts the gameplay. The demo also teases puzzle-based challenges that require thinking outside the box, like using SWAP to reveal hidden paths.

Even in this short demo, I found myself constantly looking around for new areas to explore. Could I turn a lava pit into ice? Could I make a slippery surface more stable? The possibilities seem endless, letting you experiment and find new ways to solve challenges.

Cartoon character on a geometric platform with a rocky backdrop and large cloud-like figure.

A World Full of Charm and Personality

Ruffy and the Riverside immediately stands out with its colourful, hand-drawn aesthetic mixed with 3D environments. The character designs have a storybook-like quality, giving the game a unique charm. Ruffy himself is full of personality, from his bouncy movements to his playful expressions. The animation feels smooth, whether he’s running, jumping, or using SWAP to reshape the world.

One thing that caught my attention was how the world reacts to SWAP. Changing textures doesn’t just affect gameplay—it visually transforms the environment in a way that feels natural and responsive. Turning water into lava, for example, isn’t just a mechanical change; it completely alters the colour and mood of the scene. Watching vines spread across a surface or ice creep over a river makes every change feel noticeable and impactful.

Cartoon bear with a green face and suit on icy landscape, holding a green object. Bright sky and trees in the background from Ruffy and the Riverside.

I also like the mix of 3D platforming and 2D, it adds to the game’s personality. The shift to black-and-white levels within the hub world creates a nostalgic contrast, similar to the 2D sections in Super Mario Odyssey. Even small details, like NPCs having unique animations and lively expressions, make the world feel alive.

Music and sound design play a big role in bringing Riverside to life. The soundtrack matches the game’s lighthearted tone, with upbeat melodies that keep exploration feeling exciting. The sound effects add to the charm—hearing the distinct “pop” when applying a texture or the satisfying crunch of breaking objects makes every action feel rewarding.

I was surprised by how much personality the world of Ruffy and the Riverside has, even in this short demo. The art, music, and animations work together to create a lively world that’s fun to explore.

Animated character in a colorful village with wooden buildings and festive banners overhead from Ruffy and the Riverside.

Why Ruffy and the Riverside’s Demo Has Me Excited for the Full Game

After spending time with the Ruffy and the Riverside demo, I’m even more excited to see what the full game will offer. The SWAP mechanic isn’t just a fun tool—it makes platforming and puzzle-solving more creative. Every level encouraged me to experiment, and it was fun to see how even small changes to the environment could completely shift how I approached obstacles.

The world feels alive with colourful visuals and upbeat music that keeps the energy high. Ruffy’s movement is responsive, and the combination of platforming and exploration feels natural. The game switches between 3D and 2D sections smoothly, keeping things varied while still feeling consistent.

The demo gave me just a small look at the game’s open-world structure, collectibles, and side activities, but it was enough to make me want more. With seven regions to explore in the final game, I can only imagine the possibilities for more creative puzzles and surprises.

With its April launch approaching, Ruffy and the Riverside looks like a creative and exciting addition to the platforming genre. The demo made a strong first impression, and I’m looking forward to seeing how the full game expands on its ideas. If you’re a fan of platformers that mix clever mechanics with exploration, this is one to watch.

Are you planning to try the demo during Steam Next Fest? What excites you most about Ruffy and the Riverside? Let me know in the comments!

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Jon Scarr (4ScarrsGaming)

Jon is a proud Canadian who has a lifelong passion for gaming. He is a veteran of the video game and tech industry with more than 20 years experience. Jon is a strong believer and supporter in cloud gaming, he's that guy with the Stadia tattoo! He enjoys playing and talking about games on all platforms and mediums. Join the conversation with Jon on Threads @4ScarrsGaming and @4ScarrsGaming on Instagram.

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