Bunny Mazes by DillyFrame Games serves up a fast-paced puzzle experience that challenges players to navigate a series of mazes as swiftly as possible. In this review, we’ll take you through the highs and lows of what this game has to offer.
The game, set in a 2D maze format, demands that you complete 50 levels consisting of a total of 500 mazes. With a ticking clock, you’ll need to quickly decide on your path, picking up time bonuses when you can, and avoiding hazards along the way. Each level groups 10 mazes together, and while you can select a level from the menu after completing it, there’s no skipping ahead within the maze sets. Fail one maze, and back to the start of the level you go!
A minute is all you’re given to conquer each set of mazes, but help is at hand with bonus pickups that can add more time. Conversely, run into a red carrot, and you’ll lose precious seconds. Players can also find alternative routes or teleportation spots to strategically maneuver through the mazes.
From the bird’s-eye view, you guide a furry friend through this labyrinth, racing against time. Occasionally, you’ll encounter carrots that increase your time by 5 seconds, a feature you’ll welcome as the clock winds down. Just beware of those sneaky red carrots that reduce your time by 3 seconds, adding an additional layer of strategy to your path choices.
The vast number of mazes could delight maze lovers, but there’s a repetition in design that may tire some. Decisions often boil down to choosing between a peril-filled shortcut and a safer, but longer path—sometimes an enjoyable challenge, but eventually, the novelty wears thin.
The difficulty curve is notable and perhaps a bit steep for a game of this style. Even the introductory levels can lead to frustration, since failing any maze out of the 10 brings you right back to the beginning. For a veteran gamer, 35 years in, it becomes clear that a more gradual increase in difficulty would have improved the overall experience, especially with so many levels available.
Visually, Bunny Mazes opts for a minimalist aesthetic, though this simplicity doesn’t work to its advantage. The main menu and character graphics appear somewhat blurry, likely due to low-resolution assets being upscaled for the PS5. The monotone mazes are occasionally broken up by the red carrot traps, but otherwise, the visuals lack excitement.
One saving grace is the game’s soundtrack, composed by Kevin MacLeod, which is catchy and enhances the gameplay. A standout track, “Club Seamus,” adds an unexpected charm to the proceedings.
Achievements in the game offer a curious setup. Although there’s a Platinum trophy to strive for, the list consists entirely of Bronze trophies—a total of 70 are up for grabs. You’ll earn these by completing each level and meeting specific goals, like collecting carrots or interacting with traps a set number of times.
All in all, Bunny Mazes left me feeling let down. Its abrupt ramp-up in difficulty right from the start doesn’t bode well for attracting a broad audience. Given the 50 levels designed, smoothing out that initial challenge wouldn’t have gone amiss. Players hoping for an easy Platinum trophy, as seen in other titles from the Bunny series, might find themselves surprised—or disappointed. Available on PlayStation 5, and also on PlayStation 4 as a separate purchase, Bunny Mazes is priced at $2.99.
Please note that this review is based on a PlayStation 5 copy provided by DillyFrame Games.
