Bye Sweet Carole Review: A Dream That Plays Like a Chore

When I first saw the trailer for Bye Sweet Carole, I was instantly transported back to my childhood. It promised a magical adventure wrapped in the gorgeous, hand-drawn aesthetic of the animated movies I grew up with. It looked like a playable piece of nostalgia, a love letter to the golden age of animation. And in many ways, it is. But as I journeyed through its beautiful, dream-like world, I found a game that captured my heart with its visuals but constantly tested my patience with its gameplay, creating an experience that was as frustrating as it was enchanting.

Bye Sweet Carole was released on October 9, 2025. It is available on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch. The game was developed by Little Sewing Machine and Meangrip Studios and published by Maximum Entertainment.

A Journey Through a Storybook World

The game is set in early 20th Century England, where you’ll step into the shoes of a young Lana Benton, searching for her missing friend, Carole Simmons. Your quest will begin at the eerie Bunny Hall orphanage and will quickly lead you to the mysterious and fantastical kingdom of Corolla. This isn’t a simple fairy tale; it’s a story steeped in horror. The world is controlled by sinister forces, including the menacing Mr. Kyn, a ruthless owl named Velenia, and swarms of ravenous tar bunnies. It will be clear from the start that this is a haunting journey, and you’ll have to uncover a dark truth to survive.

While the themes were heartfelt, I have to admit the overall plot felt a little too safe for my liking. It’s a sweet and charming story, for sure, but it lacks that significant “wow” factor that truly memorable games possess. The narrative follows a fairly predictable path, and while it was pleasant enough, it didn’t leave a lasting impact on me once I put the controller down. Especially in a year that has blessed us with so many banger hits and groundbreaking stories in gaming, the uninspiring tale of Bye Sweet Carole felt somewhat underwhelming and thus struggles to stand out from the crowd.

A Visual Love Letter to Classic Animation

For me, where Bye Sweet Carole truly shines is its extraordinary art style. I was completely captivated. The game is a stunning homage to the golden age of 90s Disney animation. Every single frame looked like a hand-drawn cel from classics like Beauty and the Beast, Snow White, or Cinderella. The character designs were so expressive, and the backgrounds were lush and painterly.

The whole game is bathed in a soft, blurry visual hue that masterfully emulated the feeling of watching an old animated film on a VHS tape. This nostalgic filter, combined with the classic art, created an incredibly immersive and cozy atmosphere that instantly took me back. It’s a visual masterpiece that, in my opinion, successfully commemorates the classic animation it so clearly adores.

Clunky Controls in a Beautiful Package

Unfortunately, the gameplay just didn’t live up to the visual splendor I was experiencing. As a platformer, I felt that Bye Sweet Carole struggled with its core mechanics. I often found the controls to be clunky and unresponsive. Lana’s movements lacked the precision and fluidity I’ve come to expect from the genre. Her jump felt floaty and imprecise, which led to many frustrating moments that felt less like my mistake and more like a limitation of the game’s design.

During short bursts of play, the world’s charm was enough to make me overlook these issues. However, during my long play sessions, the clunky controls really began to grate on me, and I felt the game run out of steam. What started as a magical adventure slowly turned into a slightly tedious trek because of my constant, small struggles with moving and interacting with the world.

A Perfect Cozy Game for the Family

Despite my frustrations with the platforming, I eventually saw the game in a new light: as a cozy family game. The very things that made it a difficult platformer for me—its slower pace and simple challenges—make it an absolutely perfect choice for a parent to play with their kids.

The breathtaking art, gentle story, and lack of intense difficulty create a relaxed and inviting experience. For that audience, the focus shifts from skillful execution to simply enjoying the beautiful world and guiding Lana on her journey together. I realized it’s the video game equivalent of cuddling up on the couch to watch a classic animated movie, and for that reason, I think it could be a wonderful, shared experience for the right family.

Real Talk

Bye Sweet Carole is a game of two minds. On one hand, it’s an artistic triumph, a breathtakingly beautiful experience that perfectly captures the magic of classic animation. On the other hand, its clunky platforming mechanics prevent it from reaching the heights of the genre. My recommendation comes with a crucial caveat: if you’re a platforming purist seeking tight, responsive controls, you might walk away frustrated. However, if you’re looking for a cozy, story-driven adventure with world-class visuals to share with family or simply to get lost in, then its flaws are much easier to forgive. It’s a game whose incredible heart and charm ultimately outweigh its mechanical stumbles, making it a memorable, if imperfect, journey.

FINAL SCORE: 7.5/10