Sackboy: A Big Adventure – Cozy Co-op Platforming Done Right

Sackboy: A Big Adventure is a charming co-op platformer with smart level variety. Rating: 8.0/10.

Game Info

Developer
Sumo Digital
Publisher
Sony Interactive Entertainment
Release Date
November 12, 2020
Genre
Adventure, Platformer
Platforms
PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5

Verdict

8 /10

A polished co-op platformer with standout level variety and replay value, best enjoyed with a partner.

Pros

  • Excellent stage variety across worlds
  • Co-op design that stays readable and fun
  • Strong presentation and music-driven moments
  • Flexible difficulty through optional challenges
  • Good PC feature support on capable rigs
  • Cosmetic collecting adds light long-term goals

Cons

  • Story is functional rather than memorable
  • Some levels feel better with co-op than solo
  • No cross-play between PC and PlayStation
  • Not a big post-launch expansion game

Performance Notes

PC scales well, aiming for high frame rates and sharp resolution on strong GPUs. PS5 prioritizes stable responsiveness for platforming. Xbox and Switch versions do not exist, so performance comparisons stop at PlayStation and PC.

Sackboy: A Big Adventure sits in a rare lane: a big-budget, family-friendly 3D platformer built around clean movement and cooperative problem-solving, not open-world sprawl. Critics generally landed in the “great, not groundbreaking” zone, praising its level craft and music stages. In this review, you’ll learn how its co-op changes the pacing, what to expect from the PC version’s feature set, and where the game’s design choices shine or stumble.

How to Play Sackboy: A Big Adventure

You run, jump, roll, grab, and glide through handcrafted stages that mix classic platforming with light puzzles and gadget-based traversal. The best rhythm comes from replaying levels for hidden paths and optional challenges.

  1. Controls – Simple inputs with forgiving timing, but later trials demand clean jumps and quick recoveries
  2. Progression – Clear world-to-world structure, with optional side levels and collectible-driven cosmetics
  3. Combat/Mechanics – Mostly movement-first, with occasional enemy waves and gadget interactions
  4. Tips – Treat co-op as a tool, not just company, one player scouts while the other stabilizes risky sections

Who Should Play Sackboy: A Big Adventure

This is a strong pick if you want a polished platformer that respects your time, supports couch play, and has enough bite in optional challenges to keep adults engaged.

  • Player 1 – Co-op families who want a shared game that is not a live-service grind
  • Player 2 – Platformer fans who like replaying stages for mastery and secrets
  • Player 3 – Couples and friends looking for a lighter alternative to heavier co-op games
  • Skip if – You want deep story choices, open-world exploration, or competitive online play

Sackboy: A Big Adventure Platform Performance

On PC, the game leans into high refresh-rate play and modern display formats. On PlayStation, it is tuned for smooth, consistent platforming feel. It is not available on Xbox or Switch.

Platform Resolution FPS Notes
PC (High) 4K 60+ Supports higher frame rates on capable hardware and PC-focused display options
PS5 4K/1440p 60 Built for stable platforming, with a console-first presentation
Xbox Series X N/A N/A Not released on Xbox platforms
Switch N/A N/A Not released on Nintendo Switch

Sackboy: A Big Adventure System Requirements

The PC version is approachable for mid-range systems, then scales up well if you want higher resolutions and smoother motion. Storage is moderate, and an SSD improves load times and streaming consistency.

Component Minimum Recommended
OS Windows 10 64-bit (version 1809) Windows 10 64-bit (version 1809)
CPU Intel Core i5-6400 @ 2.7GHz / AMD FX-6300 @ 3.5GHz Intel Core i7-4770K @ 3.5GHz / AMD Ryzen 5 1500X @ 3.5GHz
GPU NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 / AMD Radeon R7 265 NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 / AMD Radeon RX 580
RAM 8 GB 12 GB
Storage 60 GB SSD Recommended

Sackboy: A Big Adventure Editions and Value

You are mainly buying a replayable stage-based campaign with optional co-op-only levels and cosmetic collecting. If you value couch co-op, the value jumps. If you only play solo and never replay, it will feel shorter.

Edition Typical Price Includes Who it fits
Standard $59.99 Full game Most players, especially co-op pairs
PC Standard $59.99 Full game with PC feature set High refresh-rate and ultrawide fans
Sale Purchase Varies Same content Solo players who want a lighter platformer

Similar Games to Sackboy: A Big Adventure

If you want the same “bright worlds, precise jumps, friendly co-op” feel, the best alternatives are other platformers that mix spectacle with mechanical clarity, plus one or two co-op-first adventures.

  • Astro Bot – Another PlayStation platformer with richer gimmicks, but less emphasis on 4-player chaos
  • It Takes Two – Stronger narrative hook and constant mechanic swaps, but not the same pure platforming cadence
  • Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury – Sharper arcade energy, but tied to Nintendo hardware
  • Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time – Tougher precision focus, less relaxed co-op vibe

Sackboy: A Big Adventure vs Competitors

Its main competitive advantage is flexible co-op, including local play, with a steady difficulty curve that leaves optional “prove it” content at the edges. Compared to story-driven co-op, it is lighter. Compared to Nintendo-style platforming, it is less iconic but still well-built.

Feature Sackboy: A Big Adventure It Takes Two Astro Bot
Price $59.99 $39.99 $59.99
Playtime ~11–17 hours ~14–17 hours ~10–15 hours
Multiplayer Yes Yes No (single-player focus)
Metacritic 79 88 94

Sackboy: A Big Adventure Story and World

The setup is simple and clean: Craftworld is under threat, and Sackboy’s journey is really an excuse to keep changing the texture, tone, and music from stage to stage. That works in its favor. The game does not ask you to memorize lore. Instead, it sells personality through animation, costume flair, and playful environments that feel like physical dioramas. It is less “plot twist,” more “theme park.”

Sackboy: A Big Adventure Multiplayer and Online

The co-op layer changes how levels feel. Solo, you are reading jumps and timing hazards. In a group, you are managing spacing, rescuing mistakes, and occasionally improvising solutions the level designers clearly anticipated.

  • Local Co-op – Up to four players, ideal for families and casual sessions
  • Online Co-op – Up to four players, good for planned runs and collectible sweeps
  • Co-op Only Levels – Stages designed around teamwork actions
  • Cross-Play – Not officially supported between PC and PlayStation

Sackboy: A Big Adventure DLC and Expansions

Post-launch content is more about cosmetics than major expansions. If you want big new worlds, this is not that kind of game. If you want extra customization, it delivers steady drops.

  • ASTRO BOT Costume – Cosmetic add-on, free on supported stores
  • Emotions Emote Pack – Cosmetic emotes, free on supported stores
  • Season Pass – None, no paid expansion roadmap
  • Free Updates – Multiplayer support and patches over time

Sackboy: A Big Adventure Community and Support

The community is mostly casual and co-op-focused, so help tends to look like collectible guides, challenge clears, and “best levels to replay” tips. Support is strongest through platform ecosystems rather than a dedicated MMO-style hub.

  • Official Forums – PlayStation support channels and store hubs
  • Reddit/Discord – Player-run spaces for co-op grouping and challenge advice
  • Mod Support – No major native mod pipeline
  • Updates – Periodic patches, mainly stability and platform support