Commander Cherry's Puzzled Journey Review (PS4)

Prepare for the world's first – and potentially only – "Yoga Action Platformer", which uses the PlayStation 4's camera to capture shots of you, and then incorporates them into the game.

If you're thinking that this all sounds daft, then you'd be right. Commander Cherry's Puzzled Journey is a hybrid motion control game that utilises both the aforementioned camera and a DualShock 4 simultaneously. It's actually a nice little novelty for a few hours.

You'll control Commander Cherry across various stages in a mostly traditional run-and-jump environment, but the camera comes into play where there are areas that cannot be traversed without a bridge. You'll have to strike a pose, and the fruity frontman will then be able to climb onto you in order to navigate the gap.

This combination of classic side scrolling and yoga is actually surprisingly entertaining, and it will force you to play in a way that you never have before. Of course, those that prefer to lounge about with the DualShock 4 in one hand and a bag of Doritos in the other may not be too impressed by all of the physical motions required – it's not the kind of game that you can veg out with.

The idea that you are a part of the action is a really neat dynamic, though, and, as mentioned, it brings something unique to the ubiquitous platforming genre. Even better is the fact that the camera functionality actually works well, which is obviously crucial in a title like this. The low-key landscapes help to make your selfie platforms standout, and the futuristic soundtrack is a fine complement to the puzzle platforming action. It's worth noting that the novelty does wear thin eventually, however, which you should keep in mind if you're planning to pay full price for the title.

Still, the game does its best to inject a little originality into later levels. One section, for example, sees you using your body as a moving 'craft' for the good colonel to ride on. You can also play co-op, where one person controls Commander Cherry and the other makes the shapes required to progress – a decent laugh if you buddy up with the right person. And as for all of the poses that you pull, the title allows you to share these on social media for some embarrassing amusement.