Review: Noby Noby Boy is more toy than game…and really strange

The PlayStation Network is full of all sorts of weired, experimental games, but Noby Noby Boy tops them all. There are no specific goals, instead the game provides you with a quirky playground in to cause mischief in. And while it certainly is an acquired taste, for $5, it’s worth a download.

The game has you controlling Boy, a strange creature that has the ability to stretch incredible distances. By moving the two analog sticks — which each control one end of Boy — in different directions, you can stretch him out, with the goal being to make hims as long as possible. However, you don’t actually beat the game, or any individual level. Instead you simply play around with Boy, making his as long as you can. The only real competition comes from online leader boards, which showcase the longest lengths that people have achieved.

The different environments are filled with plenty of objects; everything from houses and vehicles, to camels and people. These objects are integral if you plan on going for broke and stretching out Boy as far as possible. You will have to wrap his body around them like anchors, which allows you to continue to get bigger without falling off the edge. Some characters will hop on your back for a ride, or you can simply eat everything in sight…and then poop it out.

Since you have no explicit goals, what you end up doing is up to you. In fact, you can completely ignore the goal of stretching out Boy if you want to. This essentially makes Noby Noby Boy a virtual toy, letting you do what you please, having fun as you do so. Hop around and make Boy fly, or simply try eating combinations of objects to see what happens. It’s up to you.

Some will relish this freedom — which creates an oddly relaxing experience — while others will quickly become bored. It really depends on what kind of gamer you are. But if you’re looking for a fun little game to kill a few hours, Noby Noby Boy fits that bill perfectly. It’s cute, strange, and liberating, and a great example of sheer range of experiences that video games can create.