Video Game Review - Alfonzo’s Arctic Adventure

Ellie reviews Alfonzo’s Arctic Adventure on Nintendo Switch...
 

Alfonzo's Arctic Adventure is a 2D Puzzle Platformer from the publisher Spoony Bard Productions. Alfonzo’s Arctic Adventure sees us take on the role of Alfonzo. Alfonzo is on a journey to find his missing best buddy Bob. This game has everything Puzzles, enemies, traps and even boss fights! Who doesn’t love the accomplishment of beating a boss fight! Alfonzo’s journey sees us play over 90 levels which are split into six episodes. 

This game was originally designed for and released on the NES and with its 8-bit graphics, it's sure to give us gamers a wave of nostalgia. I played on the Nintendo Switch Lite and the game does look nice. The chiptune soundtrack is very reminiscent of the NES era. It plays well with simple controls.

Early on in Alfonzo’s journey, we learn that his best friend Bob’s favourite food is fish. Across each level, fish are waiting to be collected. You can choose to collect as many or as little fish you wish during each level. But as it's for your best friend wouldn’t you want to collect as much of their favourite food that is available? Along the way, we come across other characters to help us out. These all have different superpowers to help us work out these tricky puzzles and enemies. Um, Girl appears in caves who attacks by throwing swords, Fenwood helps out in the forest levels and can defeat enemies just by touching them and Magnus who is available in snowy levels and uses a downward punch.  

Hidden throughout the game are golden fish If you are lucky to find them you will be rewarded with an extra life. There are signs along the way to help you if you get stuck. Some of the levels have secret exits that can open new paths on the world map so it’ll be worth keeping a lookout. 

If you fancy playing with a friend there is a game mode called "2 Player Melee". You can face off against each other in any of the sixteen stages. Each player competes against each other to earn points either by defeating each other or collecting fish. If you die you will lose a point. The winner is the person with the most points when the timer runs out. This is a fun mode to the game. 

In closing Alfonzo's Arctic Adventure is a great game if you're after that retro fix. It's got a decent story which explores the meanings of friendship in an unforgiving world. Some of the puzzles can be be little frustrating to complete. The multiplayer mode is pretty fun and brought back plenty of memories of playing Super Mario's own 2-player mode. 

Rating: 7/10 

Alfonzo's Arctic Adventure is out now and can be purchased via the Nintendo Switch eShop by clicking here.

A code was kindly provided by the publisher for this review.

Ellie Woodcock - For more comic book and video game chat why not follow Geek Culture Reviews on Twitter and Facebook @GeekCultureRev or my personal Twitter @Ellie_Nufc9