Glover Review (PS5) – Oh, balls…

Glover is a relic. It’s fair to say that considering its original release was on the N64 in 1998. As an old, old man I very much remember the games original release. I remember reading about it in the fabled N64 Magazine and them being somewhat excited, calling it in previews a ‘Mario 64 killer’. Now, this did not come to pass upon release despite at the time, its mechanics and gameplay feeling somewhat fresh. Glover is most definitely a puzzler more so than a platformer, and unfortunately it’s not particular great at being either. 

Imagine my surprise then when a brand new version of the game appeared on my PS5 as if from nowhere, bolstering ‘modern’ controls and remastered visuals. The nostalgia nerd in me got rather excited, and wanted to check it out. I got the game installed and well, it’s one of those moments when you think that certain games should probably have just been left where they were. 

That’s not to say it’s terrible, it’s just hard to see where Glover fits into the modern gaming landscape. As previously mentioned, its mechanics are sound. You play as a sentient glove who is tasked with moving balls around a platform level. A spell has gone awry and Glover must retrieve crystals scattered abound to save a wizard who has fallen out of a tower and got himself frozen. Only Glover and his balls can save the day. Cough. 

Here’s where it gets somewhat interesting. The crystals that Glover can turn the balls into bowling balls, metal or bouncy balls depending on the need of Glover in that moment, helpfully. You can choose between them as you power through, which allows for some clever platforming areas that certainly would have been new to players when the game originally launched. To move the balls you have to slap them, push them, throw them, bounce them, whatever you can do with a ball you can do here, allowing for some fun if not hugely challenging ball physics puzzles. 

And well, that’s your lot really. The game is divided into six stages with a variety of levels and you simply have to get the balls to where you need to go and defeat some bosses. It’s going to irritate the ever living crap out of you in moments, but figuring out the unfathomable control system (about as ‘modern’ as they were in the recent Tomb Raider trilogy) can be rewarding when you get to the end.

It’s a shame they didn’t add a little more to this release. We live in a time of shiny Spyro and Crash remakes, and whilst I understand this is a remaster, I don’t think it would have been too much to ask for a little bit more sparkle here and there, along with an actual modern control system which would have helped newcomers along the way. Ergo, I fear what’s been included is going to turn off players more than anything. 

Your time will be spent mostly figuring out controls, which is unfortunate. Glover was received well way back when and it’s a shame it doesn’t really stick the landing this time around. Platform gaming has very much moved on and releasing in the same window as Split Fiction only exacerbates this particular concern. There’s very little here that’s worth recommending purely because it feels like there wasn’t an awful lot of love put into this remaster.

But hey, if you’re looking for a nostalgia fix…well, go elsewhere. You’ll just find frustration here.

Glover is available now on Xbox Series S|X and PS5 (reviewed)

Developer: QUByte
Publisher: QUByte

Disclaimer: In order to complete this review, we were provided with a promotional copy of the game. For our full review policy, please go here.

If you enjoyed this article or any more of our content, please consider our Patreon.

Make sure to follow Finger Guns on our social channels. Twitter, Facebook, Twitch, Spotify or Apple Podcasts – to keep up to date on our news, reviews and features