The Adventure Pals

 Switch
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 30 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 30
  3. Negative: 5 out of 30

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  1. GlennGlenny
    Apr 23, 2018
    7
    What a wonderful game that could easily have cost more than the £10 it's going for. The level design gets a little samey after a while, the platforming feels a little imprecise sometimes and the combat is largely mashing the attack button. Those for me are the 3 things which hold this back from a higher score but, for the most part there's plenty of room for error in the platforming soWhat a wonderful game that could easily have cost more than the £10 it's going for. The level design gets a little samey after a while, the platforming feels a little imprecise sometimes and the combat is largely mashing the attack button. Those for me are the 3 things which hold this back from a higher score but, for the most part there's plenty of room for error in the platforming so that wasn't often an issue. It's just great fun to run and jump and giraffe-copter through the levels. This is the first game in a long time that I've gone on to 100% partly because is shorter nature but also credit to the enjoyable play loop. The story is daft by design but fun too as is the dialogue and the cast of bizarre characters. Happily with such a plot there's plenty of space for a follow up which I'll be sure to pick up.… Expand
  2. chromoman
    Apr 22, 2018
    10
    This is a fantastic game - for kids. Because I bought it for my five-year-old son, I rate it a ten - he loves it. Great graphics, pretty easy (so far), but nice gameplay. The music for me feels a bit repetitive but otherwise this is a great game. My personal opinion would be don't expect this to be anything like Celeste - it's not at that level. But really, it doesn't aim to be that kindThis is a fantastic game - for kids. Because I bought it for my five-year-old son, I rate it a ten - he loves it. Great graphics, pretty easy (so far), but nice gameplay. The music for me feels a bit repetitive but otherwise this is a great game. My personal opinion would be don't expect this to be anything like Celeste - it's not at that level. But really, it doesn't aim to be that kind of game. If I had bought it for me I would have a different view of it ... but that sad I am loving playing it with my son. So whatever. Great stuff.… Expand
  3. Switchindiefix
    Apr 15, 2018
    9
    The Adventure Pals was one of my most highly anticipated games of 2018 and on nearly every account it lived up to my own self-made hype. The art is beautiful, the worlds and characters have personality and the platforming is fast paced and addictive. It’s great that this game is accessible to everyone and I loved every minute playing it. Sure some people might say it’s an Adventure TimeThe Adventure Pals was one of my most highly anticipated games of 2018 and on nearly every account it lived up to my own self-made hype. The art is beautiful, the worlds and characters have personality and the platforming is fast paced and addictive. It’s great that this game is accessible to everyone and I loved every minute playing it. Sure some people might say it’s an Adventure Time knock-off but for me, Massive Monster have created their own unique world which I can’t wait to go back and play in The Adventure Pals 2! Unfortunately I did experience some performance issues later in the game, but this may vary from game to game.

    For more indie reviews on the Nintendo Switch, check out Switch Indie Fix.    … Expand
  4. VirtualHaven
    Apr 16, 2018
    8
    The Adventure Pals Review - Bring Your Backpack and a Buddy
    By Tim Palmieri
    Comical characters, vibrant visuals, and quirky capabilities make this repetitive adventure worth experiencing. Adventure Pals combines platforming with beat ‘em up style combat and light RPG elements. The absurdly hilarious story follows Wilton, a boy determined to save his father and the world from Mr. B’s    The Adventure Pals Review - Bring Your Backpack and a Buddy
    By Tim Palmieri

    Comical characters, vibrant visuals, and quirky capabilities make this repetitive adventure worth experiencing.

    Adventure Pals combines platforming with beat ‘em up style combat and light RPG elements. The absurdly hilarious story follows Wilton, a boy determined to save his father and the world from Mr. B’s sinister plot to turn people into hot dogs. Wilton forms an unlikely trio of pals with Sparkles the giraffe and a rock named Mr. Rock.

    Packing Your Bag and Starting the Adventure

    Starting a new file sends players into a quick tutorial that sets the stage for the rest of the game. Outside of one bit where you’re told to destroy a block, the game intuitively teaches players through well-crafted level design. For example, hitting a switch at the start of one level sends a saw blade into an enemy, informing the player to be cautious. Level mechanics follow this simple pattern before increasing in complexity.

    The levels themselves blend together in terms of graphics and gameplay, despite varied mechanics like toasters increasing jump height. Names like Port O’Potty are clever, but similar enemies and backgrounds in the same area make unique mechanics less memorable. Many puzzles will leave players smiling in amusement, although they might have trouble recalling the details days later.

    Levels occasionally feature different objectives like collecting certain items or defeating a specific enemy. These unique missions make stages seem different on the surface, but the player still progresses through puzzles, opening chests, and defeating enemies the same way they always do, making varied objectives feel like every other level.

    This repetitive feeling is also apparent in the game’s combat. Almost every enemy is easily defeated with a few quick bat swings by tapping one button. Additional abilities like dodges, shield breakers, and combo continuers make fights even more of a breeze. Bosses, on the other hand, feel far more creative and enjoyable thanks to unique arenas, animations, and attacks that take more strategy to counter.

    Palling Around the World

    Players ride Sparkles across a colorful overworld filled with themed areas. One standout is the wasteland filled with slippery green blocks that Wilton can slide up vertically. Various Easter eggs like the Jurassic Park gate are also amusing.

    Natives ranging from toast people to an eccentric mailman help make every world feel distinct with witty quests and characters. Without spoiling too much, one involves a man hopping on a chicken to save his wife, who turns out to be a pig. Post quest text from characters and small changes to towns like the dethroning of a dictator, make the world more immersive and aid in the sense of accomplishment and progression.

    Searching for Sugar and Other Collectibles

    Levels are broken into five sections, each with their own hidden cupcake collectible. Many sections feature multiple paths which leave the player wondering which trail leads to the cupcake. I occasionally found myself tediously backtracking from the end of levels to take a different path that would hopefully lead me to the cupcake. Minor nitpick, although the compass remedies this.

    Cupcakes are fed to a cat in exchange for new hats and costumes. I put a fez on Wilton and dressed Mr. Rock up as a slice of pizza for most of my adventure. Interestingly enough, Sparkles isn’t customizable. Every level also hides one of Wilton’s lost stickers, which serve no purpose outside of looking adorable.

    Coins scattered throughout levels can be used to open treasure chests and purchase items like bombs and potions. Coins are plentiful enough that players can comfortably open most chests throughout the game without ever feeling the need to purchase any items from the shop. This ensures gathering collectibles is never a hassle and gives players the option to make the game easier or harder depending on the number of items they want to use.

    Limited items like bombs kill multiple enemies almost instantly, while potions either make Wilton invincible or gradually restore health. Unique items found only in red chests grant Wilton temporary offensive powers. Most are standard fare, such as fire damage and critical hits, but the ability to throw turtles at enemies after every attack is strangely satisfying.

    Progression and Charm

    Whimsical jingles, fanfare, and fluid controls create a greater sense of progression and enjoyment. Despite a small selection of songs, worlds have catchy tunes that don’t get old. Mashing one button to beat up a giant hot dog feels like a job well done, until it happens too many times.

    For the rest of the review, visit Virtual Haven.    … Expand
  5. SuperkenGaming
    Apr 9, 2018
    7
    The adventure pals
    not much of an adventure
    the adventure pals is a 2d platformer where you play as a boy named wilton who’s mom and dad are snatched up on his birthday, and you set out to collect rubies and get them back from the evil mr b This game consist of 5 different worlds, 21 different quests and took me around 9 hours to complete… The is a really charming game visually... it    The adventure pals
    not much of an adventure
    the adventure pals is a 2d platformer where you play as a boy named wilton who’s mom and dad are snatched up on his birthday, and you set out to collect rubies and get them back from the evil mr b
    This game consist of 5 different worlds, 21 different quests and took me around 9 hours to complete…
    The is a really charming game visually...
    it feels very cartoon network style with its goofy animations and characters...
    The characters and art of this game save this what otherwise is a pretty bland experience..
    There were some funny moments sprinkled in here with different npcs, but the dialog quickly just becomes nonsense that I had no interest in reading...
    And the levels are decently fun to get through... but the get stale fairly quickly…
    The objective of a quest is go to a section marked on your map and get from checkpoint to checkpoint 5 times, and at the end of the final checkpoint in an area is the gem to move on..
    However there are no checkpoints in between these mini levels within the levels you have to get from your well to the next will without dying or the current mini level you’re in will reset itself..
    Which honestly isn’t a big deal... it can actually be really helpful at times as there is an xp system here...
    you have a sword for combat, and you’re accompanied by your birthday giraffe and a rock to help you with platforming and mild combat help as well.. Enemies drop xp which allows you to pick one of 3 upgrades... all of which you’ll have by the end of the game, but these upgrades can give you health by doing damage, it can make the xp drops and coins magnetic to your, make enemies drop pickups... all the way to the max level of 21 which is easily reached before the games end…
    these item drops are useful in combat and range from health pickups, invincibility potions, and bombs..
    There are moments you can skip over enemies and some moments where you’ll have to defeat enemies in an area to move on, and you’ll basically be throwing switches, pulling levels... searching for cupcakes to turn in for a random cosmetic item, searching for sticker packs, and collecting cash to unlock chests throughout levels that also contain consumable items and you can buy these items at shops
    all of this looks and sounds great.. And at first it actually is great...
    The gameplay is smooth and fluent... the combat is engaging, you’ll have to dodge spongier enemies... you’ll later have to deal with enemies that heal during battle and some that have ranged attacks..
    However unfortunately all 9 hours of this game feels exactly the same
    And that could come down to the nature of these types of games where the platforming is a mix of vertical and horizontal, it’s much harder to tell a story and change things up in every level like a Mario game does for example.. And this game suffers by this fact...
    there are a few neat moments here with its switches and simple puzzles... but these moments are so rare…
    The only change up is that each of the world end in a super simple boss battle to take you to a new world and complete another 25 mini levels that all feel the same..
    They tried… there’s new enemies and picks ups as the game goes on... there’s even a water world…
    But nothing mixes the gameplay up enough…
    The Adventure Pals is an enjoyable and cute looking game.. But it’s a monotonous game that overstays its welcome.
    I give the adventure pals
    A 6.5/10    … Expand
  6. cosminn777
    Sep 19, 2019
    10
    This is a true gem, one of the best platformers that I played ... ever.
    If you like Mario then make sure you don't miss The Adventure Pals.
  7. metanaga
    Aug 13, 2018
    9
    If you have a kid at home, this is the best co-op action available on Switch: responsive, forgiving, unexpected and terribly funny (the player two giraffe is an unicorn). Kirby Star Allies could learn a lesson or two from Adventure Pals.
  8. AllySky
    Sep 5, 2018
    5
    The game starts off great, it plays well, it has a crap load of charm, but the more I played it the more I realized how shallow the game really is. The npc's hardly have any impact on the game other then dishing out a quick quest, the dungeons or whatever you'd like to call them are repetitive and long winded. Was a good game, now, I just think it over stays its welcome.
  9. Simoss13
    May 20, 2023
    8
    Adventure pals is an action side scrolling adventure game with RPG elements leading to a unexpected surprise.
    The RPG elements being that you level up you character while having a wacky and interesting story to be told. As you level up, you can customise you upgrades.
    When you traverse each world with a Giraffe and a Rock, you meet some interesting characters that mostly guide you to the    Adventure pals is an action side scrolling adventure game with RPG elements leading to a unexpected surprise.
    The RPG elements being that you level up you character while having a wacky and interesting story to be told. As you level up, you can customise you upgrades.
    When you traverse each world with a Giraffe and a Rock, you meet some interesting characters that mostly guide you to the next level to collect a story's main item. An example is a farmer wants you to find his wife in a level. When you meet his wife, you will know the wacky nature of the story.
    The story doesn't end there. You also have a huge overarching story of saving your dad becoming a hotdog.
    The game is simple having a low to moderate difficulty and contains collectables. Depending on the collectable it can give you new costumes or stickers to add to your book. Each level took on average between 15-20mins (levels get larger as you progress).
    After a while, I saw each level as an episode from a kids cartoon. From there, I can see the genius of what they were going for; story, adventure, collect, resolution with a nemeses cursing you. You can even see each world as a season to the show.
    The game has 5 worlds and each world will introduce a new mechanics keeping it fresh and enriched. Enemies are diverse and just as silly as the rest of the game.
    The lore and the graphics are well suited to the game.
    Some minor issues I encountered are:
    - Some performance issues, such as the last area had some stutters, nothing major but was jarring
    - The level design branches off to different directions and choosing the wrong path to get a collectable, can result in back tracking which is annoying.
    - The final collectables were annoying to find and unsure what I was missing.
    - The game feels unfinished as some of the artwork in the conclusion of the game seems rough
    Being a quarter of the price of a Mario game, it took me about 11 hours to finish, which includes exploring and mucking around which is encouraged. I 100%'ed the game and recommend for kids 5-11 for sure    … Expand

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. Nintendo Insider
    Sep 17, 2018
    70
    The Adventure Pals may not be the deepest or most challenging game in the platforming genre. Nonetheless, it still manages to stay fun thanks to its topsy-turvy plot, accessibility and the neat ideas that are sewn into the charm of its art style. The familiar layout of the stages can become repetitive the more you play, yet work great when accompanied with the little person who runs riot around the household. If kids aren’t your bag but you still want something that doesn’t test your gaming skills to the limit, then The Adventure Pals could very well be the reclined platformer you have been looking for.
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  2. The Sydney Morning Herald
    May 9, 2018
    75
    Pulling obvious influence from a very popular and similarly-named cartoon series, The Adventure Pals stands on its own strengths as a fun, whimsical platformer for the whole family, even if it's a bit less complex than you might expect at first.
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  3. Nintenderos
    Apr 29, 2018
    80
    The Adventure Pals has a good co-op mode, an endearing design and its goal, which pretty much achieves, is to make players smile. Is there anything more Nintendo than this?
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