Video games news, releases, esports and culture — all the biggest gaming stories in one place.
Garfield – Escape from Monday Review
IGN's review of Garfield – Escape from Monday has been published, rating it as a disappointing 3D platformer adaptation of the beloved cartoon series. The game features the famous cat navigating through food-themed worlds after eating contaminated lasagne, but the reviewer criticises it as dull and uninspired, comparing it unfavourably to other weak cartoon game adaptations.
The 9-hour game spans over 40 levels across three themed overworlds (Veggie Nightmare, Sweet Kingdom, and Barbecue Desert). The main problems highlighted are the protagonist's relentless complaining and unlikeable personality throughout, overly familiar platforming mechanics, and meta-humour that aims to lower expectations rather than entertain. Whilst the art style—reminiscent of PS1 platformers—is praised for being delightful, the core platforming and shallow narrative about preferring junk food to vegetables fail to engage, with a secondary lasagna-collection metagame feeling disconnected from the main experience.
In short
- IGN review calls Garfield platformer dull and disappointing
- 9-hour game marred by unlikeable protagonist's relentless complaining
- Art style praised but weak platforming and story fail to satisfy
Explained simply
Garfield is a comic-strip cat created by Jim Davis, known for his love of lasagne, dislike of Mondays and dry humour. The character has appeared in books, television and films, and has also been adapted into video games.
This game is a 3D platform adventure in which Garfield travels through food-themed worlds after eating contaminated lasagne. Players guide him across levels, collect items and encounter a story built around his preference for junk food over vegetables.
The game draws on a familiar cartoon character and the conventions of platform games, where players move through stages and overcome obstacles. Its appeal depends on how well its humour, characters and gameplay work together for people who know Garfield as well as those meeting him for the first time.