Seafrog is a 2.5D action-puzzle-platformer developed and published by OhMyMeGames, debuting spring of 2025. You play as the titular Seafrog, flung overboard alongside their only companion, a digital sea captain in a giant flash drive. Upon finding a rusted old ship to claim as their own, they’re tasked to find the parts necessary to give their newfound property the repairs it needs to set sail.

Pro Skater at Sea

Harkening back to the video game mascots of old, Seafrog is subtly characterized by the same fun-loving yet silent nature reminiscent of the Genesis-era Sonic. Pair that with the 2.5D art style and colorful setting, and the game itself exudes a deeply nostalgic throughline.

This youthful aesthetic even ties to Seafrog’s core selling point: skateboarding on a giant wrench. We have seen more skateboard genre bending games over the past few years. Outerloop Games and Annapurna Interactive’s Thirsty Suitors (2023) also include skateboarding as a core mechanic, and it’s as endearing in that game as it is in Seafrog.

Given Seafrog’s identity as a platformer, the game is quick to offer a tutorial on the core mechanics that define its primary gameplay loop. To get around, players are encouraged to rail grind, kickflip, and ollie with excellent precision. This is the bread and butter of Seafrog and easily its strongest selling point.

Making Waves

Seafrog is tightly designed and responsive. I always felt like the controls were working with me. There’s a certain slickness to the mobility that never feels slippery against the terrain. The simple traversal method combined with the supply of ladybugs, providing either boosts or health, especially help with navigating the more treacherous locations. 

Although it took some getting used to, I grew to appreciate the game’s save system. While Seafrog doesn’t have an autosave feature, it does allow players to return to the hub at any time by quitting. There are also save spots in the forms of floating meteorites and massive dead fish, the latter befitting the game’s nautical theming.

This is especially useful after acquiring the game’s primary collectible, golden barnacles. These allow you to increase the range of the firing canon and explore other ships.

Speaking of those ships, you’ll find that each one is uniquely designed from the ground up. Right down to their interiors and enemies, the level design variety you’ll find in Seafrog is phenomenal. While I spent more time than I’d like to on the starter ship, being able to jump to a new location felt like a prize in itself.

Swashbuckling Shortcomings

The traversal is competent, and the maps are plenty wide however it did sometimes feel like the level design was counterintuitive.

While it is a puzzle game, the openness of any given stage can prove overwhelming. With a lack of proper hints, I often found myself stuck between rooms with no way to progress. When it comes to self-imposed challenges, this can be fun. When it comes to progression, it provides nothing but roadblocks.

For a game that emphasizes traversal, Seafrog’s mobility is undeniably fun but can become inscrutably frustrating. No matter how thrilling it is to skate to your heart’s content, it means nothing if you’re stuck between similar corridors. This isn’t helped by the fact that breakable furniture and enemies respawn whenever you leave a map.

And while Seafrog is far from a Souls-like, worrying about losing health again on a limited life system can prove difficult. This can also lead to Seafrog unintentionally tricking players into thinking they haven’t explored an area. Respawning enemies can punish players simply for being thorough, while the breakable furniture only occasionally contains useful items.

It is a game filled with small hidden challenges, sneakily placed collectibles, and secrets in hard-to-reach areas but this can make for unproductive sessions.

Above Sea Average

Its packaging is charming in its retro sensibilities, yet Seafrog left me feeling a little aimless.

Even with its excellent implementation, the meshing of puzzle mechanics with unique platforming can be incredibly hit or miss. Oftentimes, the feeling of leaping onto a deck and transitioning into a rail grind is thrilling. Other times, taking a leap of faith only to fall several stories into a rat-infested corridor can be tedious.

But make no mistake, I wholeheartedly recommend Seafrog to mascot platformer fans.

Seafrog is still competently designed, humorously written, and visually inspired with a genuine drive to innovate. Those looking for a platformer with a creative setting and fun yet challenging traversal will find that Seafrog scratches that itch. Even with my complications, Seafrog didn’t leave me feeling too salty and has all the merits for a smooth sailing gaming experience.