One of this year’s more memorable action-adventure titles is The Plucky Squire. This gem is an Australian-made indie title from developer All Possible Futures that happens to get a lot of publishing & publicity done up by the renowned Devolver Digital. We enjoyed it, and the game seems to be getting a lot more buzz from its initial release. At the very least, it’s a notable improvement from the tried-and-true 2D Zelda clone formula.

Kakuchopurei Australia Correspondent Dhayana “MissDeusGeek” Sena had a chat with the game’s co-director Jonathan Biddle and a rep from publisher Devolver Digital Adone Kitching about the passion project, as well as a thing or two about making a good storybook game. This was all sorted in this year’s PAX Australia 2024 expo, a really awesome games showcase and gathering for gamers all over Australia, so what better way to ask about an Australian-made game than at an event like this?

Dhayana: For those unfamiliar, how would you describe The Plucky Squire?
Jonathan Biddle: It’s essentially an adventure about a hero within a kid’s storybook. This protagonist exists within the story but can jump out of the book and interact with the 3D world around it. So, players explore both the world inside the book and the space outside it, which creates some really interesting gameplay dynamics.
Adoné Kitching: Exactly. It’s an adventure game that blends different types of gameplay experiences. Every time you turn a page, you encounter new challenges or mini-games, which keeps things fresh and exciting. You might go from a side-scrolling experience to a 3D one, and that variety really sets it apart.

Dhayana:Do you think it’s a game that people of all ages can enjoy?
Jonathan Biddle: Absolutely. We’ve specifically designed it to appeal to a broad audience. It’s accessible and balances challenging gameplay with moments anyone can enjoy, whether they’re kids or adults. We aimed to create something that families could play together, or that people can dive into solo and find something meaningful.

Dhayana: That’s wonderful to hear. Sometimes games feel daunting with skill trees and difficulty levels, but The Plucky Squire sounds like a game anyone can pick up and enjoy.
Jonathan Biddle: That’s exactly the idea! We wanted people to feel like they can jump in, explore, and not get frustrated or overwhelmed.

Dhayana:In terms of the working relationship, how did it work between you as the developer and Devolver Digital as the publisher?
Adoné Kitching: Our partnership was all about focusing on each other’s strengths. The team at All Possible Futures brought their creative vision, and we at Devolver provided support for aspects like getting the game onto multiple platforms. It’s a very collaborative effort, allowing the developers to focus on the creative side while we handle logistics.
Jonathan Biddle: From the beginning, it’s been a great fit.
Devolver really let us run with our ideas. We had this initial concept of a character moving between the storybook and 3D space, and after making a demo, Devolver fully backed us. They were always there when we needed support but gave us the freedom to build the game in the way we envisioned.

Dhayana: How has the reception been since The Plucky Squire was released?
Jonathan Biddle: It’s been incredible. We put a lot of heart into this project, aiming to create an experience with emotional and joyful moments. Seeing players respond positively and feel that love and enthusiasm is deeply rewarding.
Adoné Kitching: Yes, the response has been fantastic. Watching people’s reactions during previews was exciting, and it’s amazing to see how widely the game has resonated.

Dhayana: What are your future plans for The Plucky Squire post-launch?
Jonathan Biddle: We have a few ideas in mind! We’d like to keep supporting the game and might even add a few adjustments based on feedback. There are also some directions we’re interested in exploring for possible expansions, though it’s all still in early discussions.

Dhayana: And what are your thoughts on the Australian game development scene?
Jonathan Biddle: Well, as a Brit, I haven’t had to face some of the unique challenges that Australian developers do. However, I think more support is always beneficial since game development is tough right now, especially for smaller studios.
Adoné Kitching: This is my first time experiencing the Australian game scene up close, and it’s inspiring to see how creative and passionate people are here. There’s already a strong level of support, which allows developers to focus on being creative. That’s exactly what we need in this industry.

Dhayana: Lastly, what’s next for Devolver Digital in the Australian game development scene?
Adoné Kitching: We’re excited to keep engaging with developers here. Over the past few years, we’ve seen some truly innovative work coming out of Australia. We’re committed to supporting these creators, whether through collaborations or just by being here and staying connected with the community.

The Plucky Squire is out now for PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox consoles.