Chicken Run: Eggstraction takes place around the same time as the Netflix sequel based on the widely praised Chicken Run from Aardman. In terms of canon, it serves as a sequel to Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget, and for anyone hoping for another movie, the game ends up acting as the next chapter instead. While that may be disappointing, it is still an enjoyable experience, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much story it delivers.
The story follows Molly, Frizzle, and returning characters like Rocky and Ginger. The original Chicken Run is one of the best animated films I have seen and one of Aardman’s strongest works. I also remember enjoying the Chicken Run game on the PS1, which was a lot of fun. I would have loved a follow-up with that same style of gameplay, but this game does not offer that, unfortunately. It is an isometric stealth game, but the problem is that the stealth itself is not very enjoyable.
The main idea of the game, as the name suggests, is to bring chickens and even unhatched eggs back to safety. The mission structure feels similar to an arcade game, and the levels are set across different facilities where chickens are kept in sheds. Most missions involve locating the chickens and then guiding them back to the extraction points while avoiding threats along the way.
There are several playable characters in the game, which was nice to see. These include fan favorites like Molly and even Rocky. The visuals look good and closely match the style of the movies. Each character has a unique perk and special abilities. Perks depend on which leader you choose before starting a mission. The main threats include robot dogs, laser gates, cameras, and different traps. Stealth plays a big role, but it feels so simplified that it almost feels unnecessary. I get that this is meant to be a family-friendly game, but the original Chicken Run at least had some challenge to it.
You can customize each character’s loadout with different gadgets between missions. These have limited uses but can help you get through tough spots. Missions are short, which is a good thing, since most of them do not take long to finish. The game also supports co-op, though the main campaign is not as fun in co-op as I expected. Still, there are a few missions designed with multiplayer in mind, and those can be enjoyable with another player.
Even though this is very kid-friendly, the clunky controls and awkward camera angles can make it confusing to figure out where to go next. For example, there are moments where it looks like your character should be able to pass through an area, but the game does not make it clear enough. The camera could have been adjusted better to avoid this small but noticeable issue.
If you enjoyed the cast and story of Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget, you will likely have a good time here. The main narrative focuses on rescuing chickens from different facilities that are heavily guarded. One thing I really appreciated is that the dialogue does not feel like forced licensed filler. It keeps the familiar British humor and wit you would expect from Aardman.
For its price, the replay value is solid. Along with co-op support, the game includes a ranking system and character unlocks. The option to customize loadouts also gives you a reason to replay missions to earn higher ranks. Even so, the full game takes around 5 hours or less to finish because it is both easy and short.
Chicken Run Eggstraction comes across as a polished release with strong visuals and a cinematic presentation. That said, the clunky controls and awkward camera angles hold it back at times. Freeing chickens is fun, but guiding them through escape routes can be frustrating. Still, I enjoyed my time with it on the PS5, and I would recommend it to anyone who likes the Chicken Run franchise.
Chicken Run: Eggstraction Game Information
- Price: $39.99
- Publisher: Outright Games
- Developer: Aardman Animations
- Platform: PS5 (Reviewed)
- Disclaimer: A review code was given by the publisher
