Alba: a Wildlife Adventure

 Switch
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. Gamezebo
    Jun 17, 2021
    90
    Alba: A Wildlife Adventure ultimately feels like a great fit for the Switch, and runs perfectly in handheld and docked modes. If you’ve not experienced it via Apple Arcade then make sure you don’t miss it this time round.
  2. Ninty Fresh Magazine
    Dec 3, 2021
    85
    Alba: A Wildlife Adventure is finely distilled to a genuinely relaxing tale with an important message. A short but sweet amble through the beauty of nature. [Issue #4, p.65]
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  3. GameCritics
    Nov 18, 2021
    85
    Regardless of these minor criticisms, there is little to dislike about Alba: A Wildlife Adventure. Whether it’s the pleasing aesthetic, organic open-world, adorable animals, or the soothing soundtrack, Alba is a title that lifts spirits. It chooses a distinctively optimistic approach to humanity’s environmental crises, and succeeds in making the player appreciate the uniqueness of the ordinary.
  5. NME
    Jun 16, 2021
    80
    Alba: A Wildlife Adventure is a wonderful little story game with a heart of gold. It’s not complex, and it’s not long, but it is earnest and unafraid to be what it is: a chill adventure in a little spec of luxury. Kids will get a lot out of its charm, and it’s well constructed enough that adults will enjoy the relaxing and joyful headspace it provides. Like the best entertainment, it’s got something for all ages.
  6. Nintendo Life
    Jun 15, 2021
    80
    With so many games featuring death and destruction, Alba: A Wildlife Adventure is a breath of fresh air. Much like Pokémon Snap, its focus on observation is a welcome change of pace, and it never feels like the underlying message is being shoved down our throats. At 2-3 hours in length, our only wish is that it lasted a bit longer, but with its relaxing tone and simple gameplay, this is one we suspect you’ll go back to again and again.
  7. Switch Player
    Jun 17, 2021
    70
    Alba: A Wildlife Adventure is as much educational as it is relaxing. It’s a short experience but it is one that you can learn a lot from as well as having a wonderful time.
  8. VideoGamer
    Jun 10, 2021
    70
    If I didn’t feel the sugary twinge of sentiment in Alba: A Wildlife Adventure, it is down to its pastel starkness.

Awards & Rankings

68
#68 Best Switch Game of 2021
96
#96 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2021

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 17 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 17
  3. Negative: 2 out of 17
  1. luciamelier
    Aug 12, 2023
    9
    I found the game really enjoyable. I had fun exploring the island, it felt like a real adventure. Plus I loved the nostalgic and relaxedI found the game really enjoyable. I had fun exploring the island, it felt like a real adventure. Plus I loved the nostalgic and relaxed vibes. Also a BIG plus for the message that this game sends about pollution, environment and wildlife. The only con of this game is that it is way too short, I wanted more! Lovely, lovely game.… Full Review »
  2. pepcorn
    Jun 13, 2023
    7
    Nice: Sound design, the general atmosphere. The setting being highly localised adds a ton of flavour. It made me feel like I was coming home.Nice: Sound design, the general atmosphere. The setting being highly localised adds a ton of flavour. It made me feel like I was coming home. I really love the island and wish I could move there.

    Less nice aspects: Even though I like animals being built entirely out of balls (reminds me of classic games like Oddballz & Petz), it looks odd on some of the animals. The squirrels look weirdly squishy. Don't bother getting a good picture, because your pictures vanish and are instead replaced by a pre-determined game image. I wanted an album that was a collection of photos I took, not one identical to everyone else's.

    Annoying: The camera is clunky at times, and the controls aren't that intuitive. Controls can't be retooled. Clipping through assets happens frequently. The game just doesn't feel very polished, it doesn't feel fully finished. The game doesn't indicate when characters have finished their sentence, and I can agree to hear the next one. It feels haphazard and tiring. I wish they'd just auto talk.

    Bad: There's no saving feature. Supposedly the game auto-saves "frequently". I couldn't find info on how frequently, and there's also no indication on screen of when it's saving. So I just have to shut the game off and hope my last snapshot got saved. Several times now, it didn't get saved, and I had to start that part over. I play in short bursts, not having a saving feature that I can control is just bad game design.    … Full Review »
  3. amongus123
    Apr 16, 2023
    10
    This game is very cool. Although the story is fast-paced, it will still give you a lot of emotions. The game promotes the right messages in aThis game is very cool. Although the story is fast-paced, it will still give you a lot of emotions. The game promotes the right messages in a playful way. And it's very cool. If you want to play a simple but good and interesting game, then Alba: A Wildlife Adventure is for you.… Full Review »
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