Turnip Boy Robs a Bank Review: Turnip for What
What’s next for a turnip that’s just defeated a god? What about an old lemon trying to do the right thing? Or maybe a pie that just really likes rocks? All these questions and more will be answered when players dive into Turnip Boy Robs a Bank, the sequel to 2021’s Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion. This time around, Turnip Boy has to grab cash, take down enemies, and complete increasingly weird side quests in an attempt to uncover the motherlode of loot hidden within the Botanical Bank.
You’re Gonna Need a Bigger Bank
Turnip Boy Robs a Bank, from Developer Snoozy Kazoo, picks up nearly right where it left off at the end of Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion. Turnip Boy has joined forces with the dastardly Pickled Gang in order to rob the Botanical Bank. The game asks players at the very beginning if they’ve played the first in the series so those that are new to Turnip Boy won’t feel lost. After a quick tutorial, players are unleashed onto the bank and, after a few runs, will be able to start upgrading, buying items and more.
In terms of gameplay, Turnip Boy Robs a Bank is fairly simplistic roguelite. Turnip Boy is able to carry two weapons at a time that players can easily switch between. Along with the default weapons that can be created and bought at the warehouse, enemies will also drop a variety of ridiculous weapons for Turnip Boy to enjoy. Weapons can include a mushroom gun that releases toxic gas, a flamethrower, a boomerang and much more. No matter what the bank throws at you, there’s definitely a weapon for the job.
Turnip Boy Will Look For You, He Will Find You, and He Will Kill You
Players will spend the entirety of the game inside the Botanical Bank, but this isn’t just any bank. Things change around there pretty often. While each main area stays the same, the enemies and rooms that appear in each section will change during each run. Players will encounter a variety of intriguing characters the more they explore and will pick up side quests along the way which, when completed, will award players with special hats for Turnip Boy to wear. After six or seven runs, especially if players have been unable to progress, the gameplay does start to feel pretty repetitive. While the bank has a large handful of rooms and areas to uncover, fighting your way through them again and again gets tiring. That being said, it does mean that any progress made is very exciting.
After each run through the bank, whether you are defeated or not, players will head back to the Pickled Gangs base to upgrade Turnip Boy’s arsenal using whatever money they were able to gather on their run. Some upgrades make Turnip Boy more powerful and others increase his carrying capacity or luck or give him other special advantages. The Dark Web is also a great place for players to spend their hard earned cash. Buy items for NPC’s in order to unlock more collectible hats or to help you make progress in the bank. Just watch out for tempting pop-ups.
You’re a Disease, and Vegetables are the Cure
At the end of each new section of the bank, players will encounter that area's boss. These battles are significantly more difficult than regular encounters and offer an even deeper look into the Turnip Boy universe. Once bosses are defeated, players won’t have to fight them again during their normal runs, unless they want to, of course. Each of these bosses was unique, with their own special mechanics, but none of them will take the average player more than a few tries to beat.
Overall, Turnip Boy Robs a Bank feels like the perfect roguelite for beginners. It’s funny and silly and has very simple and easy to learn controls. The art style is absolutely adorable and the soundtrack is phenomenal. While it might get a little repetitive and be too easy for players that wish for a challenge, this sequel delivers another memorable story about everyone's least favorite vegetable. Seriously, who eats turnips?
Breakdown
Game: Turnip Boy Robs a Bank
Availability: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch
Reviewed on PC
Pros:
+ Hilarious characters and dialogue
+ A great variety of silly weapons
+ Plays smoothly on controller and mouse and keyboard
+ Lots of unique side quests
Cons:
- Can get repetitive, especially when stuck in one particular area
- Easy difficulty that doesn’t offer much of a challenge for seasoned players
Final Thoughts
Turnip Boy Robs a Bank is a great sequel that fans of the first will be super excited about. Its characters are hilarious and charming, making for a great time from start to finish. While the simplistic gameplay can get pretty repetitive at times, it’s a fantastic roguelite that doesn’t overstay its welcome and is brilliantly ridiculous.
Review by Becca Smith