Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure

 DS
Metascore
82

Generally favorable reviews - based on 46 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 40 out of 46
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 46
  3. Negative: 0 out of 46
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  1. Eurogamer
    70
    While the platformer and the puzzler in Henry Hatsworth are perfectly competent, they're nothing special. Neither could be described as classic examples of their genre, and neither offer anything new. The switching mechanic does add interest, but not quite enough to make Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure a great game.
  2. Game Informer
    70
    Hardcore platformer fans will find this a trying test of skills. Henry Hatsworth could have been one of the most unique and interesting games on the DS, but some baffling design choices hold it back from greatness.
  3. games(TM)
    60
    Henry Hatsworth In The Puzzling Adventure isn't a bad game; it's two half-decent ones. [May 2009, p.126]
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  5. Gamestyle
    70
    Overall, Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure is a real surprise.
  6. Metro GameCentral
    70
    EA's latest DS game is half platformer, half puzzle game, all fun (well, three quarters at least).
  7. Official Nintendo Magazine UK
    74
    If only EA had pushed the bizarreness boat out a little further. Still, this is a fun little curio.

Awards & Rankings

17
#17 Best DS Game of 2009
23
#23 Most Discussed DS Game of 2009
61
#61 Most Shared DS Game of 2009

User Reviews

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User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 41 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 41
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 41
  3. Negative: 5 out of 41
  1. lebk2440
    Aug 17, 2021
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. I am quite impressed with this game and even though it was god damn difficult at times, I loved it quite a bit. It is such a unique concept to fuse a 2D action platformer to a tetris / candy crush game. The developers really pulled it off with this concept. You have two screens, the top one is where you do your platforming and slashing monsters which then fall into the lower screen and turn regular block into monster blocks with little eyes. Then the blocks keep rising row after row, you need to manage the puzzle and keep it low before the monster blocks overflow into the top screen. If that happens they will drop down from the sky to stomp you until you kill them, which is quite annoying. Power ups, extra lives and hearts are mostly collected on the top screen but can only be activated or used after you align them with other blocks of the same colour. Those power ups then affect the top screen. As you align blocks a meter will build up which depletes when you use special attacks but if it’s full then you’re in for a treat. You get “TEA TIME”, you get into a big robot suit that’s temporarily invincible and you just kick ass. It’s so satisfying to do. Managing the puzzle never felt like a chore. The story is nothing to be amazed about but it has its funny moments, I chuckled quite a few times especially with all the gentlemen talk. Levels are full of secrets, you have secret exits which then lead to secret levels that often reward you greatly with permanent abilities. The game can be cheap at times like when there’s a very small platform with only room for one enemy with a shield makes it quite frustrating but not impossible to surpass given the right projectile ammunition. The frame rate drops significantly when lots of enemies are one the screen making it barely playable. Those are few and far between. The animation is really smooth it makes it look very cartoonish with its elasticity, which is a good thing. Soundtrack is just flawless, especially while doing the puzzles in the bottom screen, it makes you want to stay there longer! Overall I highly recommend this game but beware, it seems easy at first but the difficulty ramps up significantly nearing the end, not for the casual gamer, you will die a lot. I had such a blast but I’m glad it’s over, I won’t attempt the “Gentlemen mode”, basically a New Game +, Hard mode with all your upgrades from the start. Maybe someday, I’ll keep the save file for a possible revisit years ahead. Try it out, quite the gem ;)… Full Review »
  2. Jackson
    Oct 8, 2010
    7
    Is it one of the best platforms in the modern era, ingeniously mixed with puzzle elements to give it a unique feel? Or, was it an over-ratedIs it one of the best platforms in the modern era, ingeniously mixed with puzzle elements to give it a unique feel? Or, was it an over-rated suprise hit that capitalized on fans hunger for more platform/action titles durring a long onslaught of DS RPG's? Well, it's a little bit of both. But the good far outweighs the bad here. Addictive music, nice character interplay that had me laughing several times (there is genuine humor here in this game), and probably one of the better platform titles to come out of the DS. Game play is very fun and loose, the villian bosses are actually pretty challenging (but fun too), and the game gets increasingly difficult as you go along. After playing the first world (mysteria), I thought I'd made a mistake in purchasing the game, sinmply b/c it was rather easy. But World 2 comes at you pretty fast and furious, and the game continues increasing difficulty to the end.
    Granted, they really could have upped the ante here. Certainly, this could have been an 8 world game, and I think EA didnt totally give us the most for our buck (there is some schintzing here): once you've beat the game , it doesnt have the re-playability factor of say, Super Mario 3. You cant still play. The puzzle aspect intensifies original gaming, but doesnt hold up with repeat play.(once you've beat the game)
    It's a nice game. Funny, completent platform aspects, smooth controls, but EA could have put a bit more chomp into this.
    Still, I'd really like a sequel to this. A superior sequel. One i think EA can deliver. If they choose to.    … Full Review »
  3. chilim
    Mar 27, 2009
    3
    Repetitive combat and boring level design. Puzzle portion only manages to slows the game down, as you constantly having to switch back and Repetitive combat and boring level design. Puzzle portion only manages to slows the game down, as you constantly having to switch back and forth between puzzle and platform segments. The levels themselves lack challenge and creativity. Challenge comes froms bosses and trap rooms where you're trapped and must clear out the of respawning enemies that do high amounts of damage. As a longtime fan of 2d platformers, I can say there really isn't anything special about this Henry Hatsworth. Mediocre at best.… Full Review »
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