Ah yes, Upin & Ipin Universe – the video game spin-off of Malaysia’s long-running animated series about two bald-headed twins with the kind of charm that walks a tightrope between “endearing” and “mildly cursed”. If you’ve never heard of the franchise, don’t panic – it just means you’ve not spent much time in a Malaysian household. Now, Upin & Ipin have made their open-world gaming debut, and the results are…
Gaming Heaven
There’s a certain innocent pleasure in roaming around the sandbox world with no responsibilities, no danger, and no plot to accidentally ignore. You can kick a ball around aimlessly, jump on a tandem bike like you’re in a budget coming-of-age film, and plant seeds with all the joy of unpaid agricultural labour.
Graphically, it’s decent enough – bright, simple, colourful, and unlikely to melt your PS5. Perfect for younger players who won’t question why the twins never seem to age or why they look like thumb people. The open-world format, though light on substance, does provide a safe playground for little hands to explore without fear of consequence. Think My First Open World Game, but with unsettling camera angles.
Gaming Hell
The camera, unfortunately, seems to be possessed by a spirit with a grudge against children. It follows the twin you’re not controlling, which adds a delightful layer of existential confusion. Motion sickness is a very real risk – not from speed or violence, but from gentle wandering through pastel-coloured villages. Also, the frame rate hiccups even on performance mode, which is impressive for a game that mostly consists of seed-planting and polite jogging.
Final Judgement
Upin & Ipin Universe is a cheerful, glitchy, slightly baffling experience that might entertain very young players for an hour or two. Everyone else? Best left as a cultural curiosity. Proceed with caution – and ginger tea for motion sickness.
