Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

The Powerpuff Girls: Him and Seek offers a refreshing twist on the beat-’em-up genre by blending side-scrolling combat with light point-and-click mechanics. Players begin by controlling one sister at a time—Blossom, Bubbles, or Buttercup—each with her own unique animations for punches, kicks, and laser beams. As you soar through Townsville, you’ll need to fulfill scavenger-hunt style objectives given by Ms. Keene, collecting a variety of items that range from lost wallets to mysterious monster components. This setup keeps the gameplay loop feeling fresh and purpose-driven.

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Combat encounters are straightforward but satisfying. The girls can dash to evade enemy attacks, chain basic combos, and unleash a charged laser beam when the gauge fills. Initially, you’ll tackle minor nuisances like Fuzzy Lumpkins’ rampages, but the difficulty scales up as you progress. Ultimately, you earn the ability to switch between sisters on the fly with the L Button, allowing you to adapt to specific situations—Blossom’s precision lasers can snipe distant threats, while Buttercup’s brute strength can clear crowds in an instant.

Adding further variety are several well-implemented mini-games sprinkled throughout the adventure. You’ll find yourself busting out impressive high scores on a pinball machine, grooving in a Dance Dance Revolution–style face-off with the Boogie Man, and even slipping into Mojo Jojo’s chimpanzee paws for a Frogger-style jailbreak. These diversions break up the standard combat missions and keep the pace lively until the final showdown with the diabolical HIM.

Graphics

Visually, Him and Seek nails the cheerful, candy-colored aesthetic of the original Cartoon Network series. Character sprites are faithfully rendered with expressive faces and fluid animations, capturing Blossom’s cool-headed determination, Bubbles’ bubbly enthusiasm, and Buttercup’s no-nonsense attitude. The villains are equally well-detailed—you’ll instantly recognize Mojo Jojo’s oversized brain dome and HIM’s devilishly menacing silhouette.

The backgrounds pop with vibrant hues, from Townsville’s downtown skyscrapers to the eerie depths of the Boogie Man’s lair. Parallax scrolling is used sparingly but effectively, giving a subtle sense of depth during boss encounters. Environmental details, such as broken streetlamps, scattered debris, and the occasional startled citizen, add personality to each level and reinforce the feeling that the city is alive—and often in peril.

Mini-games feature their own thematic touches, too. The pinball machine’s glass is scuffed and worn, the Dance Dance Revolution pad lights up to pulsing neon, and the Frogger-style stage is strewn with jail cell bars and guards. Each graphical presentation feels lovingly crafted to match its gameplay style, making for a consistently engaging visual experience.

Story

The narrative is lighthearted and perfectly aligned with The Powerpuff Girls brand. It all begins with Ms. Keene assigning the trio a scavenger hunt to promote civic engagement in Townsville. What seems like a simple exercise quickly becomes a citywide adventure once familiar villains start obstructing the girls’ progress. This setup gives players a clear objective while allowing for playful encounters with fan-favorite antagonists.

Each villain interaction feels like a short cameo, complete with character-appropriate dialogue and playful taunts. Mojo Jojo lectures the girls on his “brilliant” jail-escape plan, Fuzzy Lumpkins simply growls and throws barrels, and the Gangreen Gang demands a tooth-for-tooth exchange before handing over their prize. These brief exchanges provide charm and humor without bogging down the pace.

As the scavenger hunt reaches its climax, the girls finally unite to take on HIM himself. The transition from solo missions to a cohesive team effort underscores the series’ core message of sisterhood and teamwork. Though the plot remains simple, it’s delivered with enough personality and variety to keep players invested from start to finish.

Overall Experience

The Powerpuff Girls: Him and Seek is an accessible and entertaining adventure that will appeal to fans of the show and newcomers alike. Its hybrid gameplay strikes a nice balance between action and exploration, with just enough variety to prevent monotony. Casual players will appreciate the straightforward controls and forgiving difficulty, while completionists can hunt for every hidden item on Ms. Keene’s list.

While some tasks—like fetching multiple low-value items—can feel repetitive, the well-paced mini-games and frequent boss encounters keep momentum high. The ability to switch between the three girls on-demand adds strategic depth, encouraging players to master each sister’s strengths. Additionally, the game’s total playtime is generous enough to provide a satisfying adventure without overstaying its welcome.

Overall, Him and Seek delivers a fun, family-friendly escapade through Townsville. Its faithful adaptation of the cartoon’s visuals and characters, combined with a solid gameplay loop, makes it an excellent purchase for anyone seeking lighthearted beat-’em-up action with a nostalgic twist. Whether you’re soaring solo or teaming up in a two-player co-op session, the Powerpuff Girls prove once again that they’re up to any challenge—even a citywide scavenger hunt orchestrated by their most sinister foe.

Retro Replay Score

6.2/10