Developer: Snoozy Kazoo
Publisher: Graffiti Games
Release Date: April 21, 2021
Platforms: Steam, Nintendo Switch
Reviewed On: Nintendo Switch

Indie games tend to bring a certain charm to gaming, and Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion is no different. You play as the protagonist Turnip Boy, who is a turnip, and is a boy, who commits tax evasion, and your objective is to run a handful of annoying (and dangerous) errands for Mayor Onion in this top-down, 2D Zelda-like.

Story

Turnip Boy lives in a greenhouse that he inherited from his late father. Because of unpaid taxes, Mayor Onion evicts Turnip Boy from his greenhouse. However, Mayor Onion appears to be somewhat sympathetic to your tax evading situation so he asks you to do tasks and, if completed, he will clear your debt. Naturally your silent protagonist obliges.

The adorable Turnip Boy is nothing short of an agent of chaos, and you immediately rip up your letter of debt from Mayor Onion. During your travels Turnip Boy is absolutely hell bent on ripping up everything he can, whether it’s tax documents, lease agreements (for someone else), a snail’s rent, or a love letter.

The writing of this game is incredibly clever and charming, which has me wanting to speak to every NPC there is just to see what witty puns or wisecracks they say. During your travels assisting Mayor Onion and various vegetable NPCs, you discover the dark underbelly of the world Turnip Boy lives in. The story progresses very well, integrating the dark humor effectively throughout the game which has you laughing the entire time. Even though the game’s conception is built around one joke, the creators stuck to it and it landed well, giving a fun story to follow throughout the game.

Gameplay

Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion is easily described as a 2D Zelda-like game, but with less depth. You’ll traverse through a small world which transitions from screen to screen the same way a 2D Zelda plays, and even explore a few dungeons. Weapons are sparse, but all are very useful. You’ll collect a sword, watering can, warp machine, and even an endless slice of pizza that you can eat to heal yourself (and hear Turnip Boy burp every time he takes a bite.)

Exploring dungeons will challenge you with multiple puzzles, and teach you how to use your new weapons. The puzzles aren’t too challenging, but they’re good enough to keep you on your toes and think a little bit more than you’d expect.

The game encourages you to explore and interact with everything you can to earn items or documents to rip up. Just about every NPC in the game will help you in your quest, give you a side mission, or give you an item so be sure to talk to everyone!

Collectables

Aside from the main story, you’re able to search for documents that Turnip Boy will gleefully rip up, this is mainly for completionists, and won’t affect how you progress in the game.

You also can collect hats from doing side quests for NPCs, these hats serve no real purpose aside from making Turnip Boy look cute.

Verdict: 3.5/5

Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion is a very good game, albeit, a very short one. The game is built on the foundation of dark humor, cute puns, and simple yet rewarding gameplay. The game is genuinely and consistently funny, while also being able to tie in a storyline that explains Turnip Boys very existence.

Even though the game is witty and charming, the price point may not be worth it for some gamers. Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion can be beaten in under two hours, and if you want to 100% it, it could be beaten in close to four. There is a post-game mode that’s a long battle gauntlet, but that didn’t scratch my itch for more Turnip Boy.

I highly recommend Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion to anyone who’s looking for a laid back game that’s going to make you laugh, but wouldn’t recommend it to anyone looking for deep gameplay or wanting to log a lot of hours.

Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion is available on PC, and is available for Nintendo Switch digitally and physically. Will you be picking it up or have you played it already? Let us know on the Bossrush Facebook page or on our Discord!