Kick it, Bunny

Kick it, Bunny is a puzzle-adventure game set in a fantasy world where players take on the role of a bunny tasked with restoring ancient stone figures by kicking blocks. The game features an open world filled with puzzles, interactive animals, and cooperative multiplayer for up to four players. Players can also enjoy additional activities like football on land and water, making it a versatile and engaging experience.

Kick it, Bunny: Review

Introduction

In the sprawling landscape of indie puzzle games, Kick it, Bunny! stands out as a quirky, if flawed, entry that blends open-world exploration with block-based puzzles. Developed and published by DillyFrame, this 2021 title tasks players with restoring ancient bunny civilization by solving 50 Tetris-like puzzles scattered across a tropical archipelago. The game’s premise is simple: kick blocks into place to reconstruct stone figures, but its execution is a mixed bag of innovative mechanics and frustrating design choices. This review will delve into the game’s development history, narrative, gameplay, world-building, reception, and legacy, ultimately assessing its place in video game history.

Development History & Context

DillyFrame, the indie studio behind Kick it, Bunny!, is known for its eclectic catalog of bunny-themed games, including Doctor Bunny (2020) and Bunny Factory (2021). The studio’s games often revolve around simple, physics-based mechanics, and Kick it, Bunny! continues this tradition with a focus on kicking blocks into place. The game was released on February 17, 2021, for Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series, and PlayStation 4, priced at $9.99 on Steam.

The game’s development coincided with a resurgence of puzzle games in the indie scene, with titles like Baba Is You (2019) and The Witness (2016) pushing the genre’s boundaries. Kick it, Bunny! attempts to carve out its own niche by combining puzzle-solving with open-world exploration, a blend that, while ambitious, is not without its challenges. The game’s use of Unreal Engine 4 allowed for a visually appealing world, though the engine’s capabilities are not fully exploited in the final product.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

Kick it, Bunny!’s narrative is minimalistic, bordering on non-existent. The game’s official description sets up a backstory involving ancient bunny civilizations and destroyed stone figures, but this lore is largely absent from the in-game experience. Players are dropped into a tropical archipelago with no tutorial or guidance, left to decipher the game’s mechanics through trial and error. This lack of narrative direction is a missed opportunity, as a more fleshed-out story could have added depth to the game’s world and puzzles.

The game’s themes revolve around restoration and discovery, as players piece together the remnants of a lost civilization. However, these themes are undermined by the game’s repetitive gameplay loop and lack of meaningful progression. The puzzles themselves are the primary narrative drivers, with each completed figure serving as a small victory in the larger quest to restore the bunny civilization.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

At its core, Kick it, Bunny! is a puzzle game with a unique twist: all interactions are based on kicking. Players control a bunny from a third-person perspective, using a single kick button to move and rotate Tetris-like blocks into predefined shapes. The puzzles range from simple arrangements to complex configurations, with some requiring careful planning and others relying on trial and error.

The game’s controls are straightforward but flawed. The kicking mechanic is often imprecise, with blocks occasionally moving unpredictably or failing to respond to kicks. This imprecision is compounded by the game’s hitbox issues, which can lead to frustration when trying to manipulate blocks into place. The lack of a top-down view or direct manipulation option further hinders the puzzle-solving experience.

Despite these issues, the game offers a few redeeming features. The open-world design allows players to explore at their leisure, discovering puzzles and collectibles scattered across the map. The game also supports co-op multiplayer, enabling up to four players to solve puzzles together. However, the co-op experience is marred by technical issues, such as disappearing Gamertags and occasional performance hiccups.

World-Building, Art & Sound

Kick it, Bunny!’s world is a tropical archipelago filled with puzzles, collectibles, and interactive elements. The environment is visually appealing, with vibrant colors and detailed textures that bring the game’s world to life. The art style is cartoonish and whimsical, fitting the game’s lighthearted theme.

The sound design is equally impressive, with a jaunty soundtrack that complements the game’s playful atmosphere. The sound effects are well-crafted, from the satisfying thud of a kicked block to the cheerful jingles that play upon puzzle completion. However, the game’s audio design is let down by its repetitive background music, which can become grating during extended play sessions.

The game’s world is also populated by a variety of animals, each with its own behavior. Some animals are friendly, while others are hostile, adding a layer of unpredictability to the gameplay. However, these interactions often feel superficial, serving little purpose beyond occasional distractions.

Reception & Legacy

Kick it, Bunny! received mixed reviews upon its release, with critics praising its unique concept and charming aesthetics but criticizing its flawed mechanics and repetitive gameplay. The game’s Metacritic score is currently “tbd” (as of October 2025), with only two critic reviews available, both of which are negative. User reviews are similarly divided, with some players enjoying the game’s puzzles and exploration, while others find the experience frustrating and unfulfilling.

The game’s legacy is further complicated by its place in DillyFrame’s catalog. The studio’s previous titles, such as Bunny Parking and SokoBunny, have been criticized for their repetitive gameplay and lack of innovation. Kick it, Bunny! follows this trend, offering a familiar experience with a new twist that ultimately falls short of its potential.

Despite its flaws, Kick it, Bunny! has left a small but dedicated fanbase. The game’s co-op mode and collectible-heavy design have appealed to some players, who appreciate the game’s lighthearted approach to puzzle-solving. However, the game’s lack of polish and repetitive gameplay have limited its impact on the broader gaming landscape.

Conclusion

Kick it, Bunny! is a game of missed opportunities. Its unique premise and charming aesthetics are undermined by flawed mechanics, repetitive gameplay, and a lack of meaningful progression. The game’s open-world design and co-op mode offer glimpses of its potential, but these features are not enough to overcome its numerous shortcomings.

In the grand tapestry of video game history, Kick it, Bunny! is a minor footnote, a curiosity that may appeal to niche audiences but lacks the depth and polish to leave a lasting impact. While it may find a place in the hearts of dedicated puzzle fans, it ultimately falls short of greatness, serving as a reminder of the challenges inherent in blending open-world exploration with puzzle-solving mechanics.