It’s been an incredibly strong year for cosy co-op gaming, and All Hands on Deck may not be on your radar, but it’s certainly not a title you should overlook. Developed by Studio Mantasaur, All Hands on Deck doesn’t match the dizzying heights of other co-op releases this year, Split Fiction and LEGO Voyagers being prime examples, but it does offer a respectably crafted and enjoyable co-op experience that should keep you occupied for its eight-hour or so runtime.
All Hands on Deck is, as I’ve made clear, a co-op puzzle platformer where two players will each assume the role of a hand. It’s set within a children’s daycare where, essentially, a bunch of toys have gone missing. Each level will see you attempt to retrieve one of said toys, with gameplay consisting of both, to say the obvious, puzzler and platforming elements. Like many co-op titles, there’s a family appeal but All Hands on Deck isn’t a mere walk in the park.
What I want to make abundantly clear is that this is a co-op title only. You cannot tackle it single-player alongside an AI-controlled character. You do though have the choice to play via either local co-op or online. If you play online, both players will require a copy of the game whilst local co-op needs only one copy. Having sampled both, I feel it’s important I point out that both play formats are treated as separate playthroughs. You can’t start an online playthrough then switch to local. I don’t feel that’s anything to criticise, merely point out.
All Hands on Deck features all of the classic tentpoles of the genre. You’ll need to jump and dash your way through the game’s various levels, putting on your thinking cap to overcome obstacles that block your way. This title’s unique quirk is that as a hand, you’ll make use of rock, paper, and scissors formations which act much like you’d expect. The ‘rock’ formation can see you knock away obstacles as you assume a fist-shape, whilst scissors will allow you to cut through certain items and so on.
I have to say, it added more depth to All Hands on Deck than I assumed there would be. I wrongly thought that the title might be limited to basic platforming options but its various levels all prompt you to make use of the full range of mechanics on offer and as such, I was surprised at just how unique the various obstacles felt. It’s not really a case of sussing something out and doing it over and over again. All Hands on Deck is inventive, keeping the experience feeling fresh with new combos and new aid items.
There’s also a charming ‘high-five mechanic’ where the two player characters jump towards one another which can affect the environment around you. In the game’s opening, using this mechanic will temporarily stop toy car traffic allowing you a timed window to cross the road. It’s all just very whimsical, something I feel is important in a co-op title. Certainly, you want to complete the goal of getting from A to B but for me, co-op titles should invite a sense of freedom and play, and I do feel All Hands on Deck achieves that. Whether you want to play volleyball, basketball, or pinball, there are several opportunities for players to let loose.
Throughout the title, you can also unlock items to customise your hand. I’ll be honest, I’ve never really been one for customisation but I can’t exactly fault what All Hands on Deck has to offer. You can unlock a variety of accessories and colours using in-game coins to personalise your character.
All Hands on Deck is most definitely charming, although I would argue it lacks a bit of polish when held up against its competitors. My main gripe, however, concerns the save system. You must complete a level for it to save; if you do half and reload the game, it’s time to start again. It didn’t bother me hugely as me and my co-op partner largely moved through the title with efficiency but it is something that may prove an issue for some.
With a RRP of £11.99, All Hands on Deck is an easy recommendation. It’s far from the strongest co-op title released within 2025 but with a respectable runtime, well-considered platforming and puzzler action, and a charming premise, you won’t be left feeling disappointed by what this indie gem has to offer.
Pros: Fun mechanics, respectable runtime for price, engaging levels
Cons: Lack of checkpoint saves, could do with a tad more polish
For fans of: Split Fiction, It Takes Two, LEGO Voyagers, Little Nightmares 3
8/10: Excellent
All Hands on Deck is out now on Nintendo Switch (version tested via Switch 2) and PC. A review code was provided by the publisher. Read a guide to our review scores here.
