Enter the amazing world of Alwa’s Awakening. A new game that draws heavy influence from the height of NES era gaming while providing a fresh feeling experience to gamers young and old.
Developed by indie studio Elden Pixels, Alwa’s Awakening is truly a reawakening of many of the gaming aspects we consider retro now. Without feeling like it’s pandering to only devout fans of classic NES games, it provides a challenging and entertaining experience for any level of gamer.
Header Image Courtesy of Elden Pixels
Story
Image Courtesy of Elden Pixels
The land of Alwa has come under an age of darkness due to a mystical being known only as Vicar and his powerful Protectors. It’s up to Zoe, a normal girl who was sucked into their world to fight the Protectors, regain the four lost Ornaments, stop Vicar and save the once peaceful land of Alwa.
Gameplay
One of my favorite parts of this game was that it offers full controller support, providing the opportunity for a more authentic retro experience and the opportunity to customize the control layout as you see fit. Being modeled to look like the pixel graphic adventures of old, the game-play of Alwa’s Awakening is truly where it shines. Players must traverse a surprisingly expansive interconnected map in what the developers have coined “Metroidvania” style. Using Zoe’s magic staff, players must solve (sometimes very) complicated puzzles and fight off various enemies. Cast spells as you gain more of the powerful lost Ornaments to help you fight and solve puzzles along the way.
Image Courtesy of Elden Pixels
My one criticism is on the more basic enemies in the game. Though the puzzles and bosses provide a fair amount of fun and challenge, I feel that the attack patterns of the lower-tier enemies are overly simplified and allow them to be easily dispatched.
Soundtrack
Image Courtesy of Elden Pixels
This game deserves serious praise for its gameplay but that’s not all it has to offer. Alwa’s Awakening also features a beautiful soundtrack composed in the key of chip-tune! Having the retro-styled music play as you adventure across the land of Alwa provides an almost dream-like experience that feels uncannily similar to a bad case of déjà vu. For our listening pleasure, Elden Pixels has uploaded the soundtrack in its entirety on YouTube, so no need to hunt and find lower quality versions!
Overall
Image Courtesy of Elden Pixels
Overall I am pleasantly surprised by this game. For the most part modern NES styled ventures tend to fall flat in my experience, focusing more on the nostalgia aspects rather than the actual gameplay, but Alwa’s Awakening is an amazing exception. It provides players with enough nostalgia to appeal to the gamers who played through many of the NES classics that Alwa’s Awakening draws influence from, while somehow providing a fresh and entertaining experience. Available for both Mac and PC on Steam, it’s a charming, fun, and easily accessible game that’s more than worth your time.
Check out the launch trailer below!
Video Courtesy of Elden Pixels/Steam
Will you be adventuring in the world of Alwa anytime soon? Do you think the world needs more well thought out NES inspired games? Let me know in a comment below!
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