Adventure Pals Review: When Hot Dogs Turn Into Old Men
Join our review of Adventure Pals, where hot dogs turn into old men and backpack giraffes helicopter you to victory. This charming $15 platformer combines solid mechanics with delightfully absurd humor, proving that sometimes the best adventures are the weirdest ones.
TL;DR:
Hey there, fellow gamers! Josh here from 2ToneWaffle, and boy do I have a quirky gem to share with you today. After taking a month-long break from our "First Two Hours" series (thanks to some particularly nasty hurricanes), I'm back to dive into "Adventure Pals," a game that's about as bonkers as they come – and I mean that in the best possible way.
What Even Is This Game?
Let me paint you a picture: imagine you're a kid with a giraffe in your backpack (who can also turn into a helicopter, because why not?), and you're on a mission to save your dad from being turned into a hot dog by some megalomaniac named Mr. B. If that sentence didn't make you raise an eyebrow, I don't know what will. Adventure Pals comes from the creative minds at Massive Monster – yeah, the same folks who brought us Cult of the Lamb – and their signature brand of weirdness is on full display here.
First Impressions: Holy Visual Sugar Rush, Batman!
Right off the bat, I gotta tell you – the art style in this game is absolutely stunning. It's got this perfect blend of cute and quirky that just works. The character designs are wonderfully bizarre, from your helicopter-tongue giraffe companion to the various NPCs you'll meet along the way. There's this one guy who rides around on a chicken. A CHICKEN. And somehow, it all makes perfect sense in this world.
Gameplay: More Than Just Another Platformer
Now, I'll be honest with you folks – I'm not usually the biggest fan of platformers. Sure, I've put my time into Mario and Sonic back in the day, but they're not typically my go-to genre. However, Adventure Pals manages to do something special here. The platforming feels smooth and accessible, without being mind-numbingly easy or controller-throwingly difficult.
The game introduces mechanics at a comfortable pace, starting you off with basic jumps and attacks before gradually adding in more complex moves like grappling and counterattacks. It's like they actually play tested this thing – imagine that!
Combat and Progression
As you progress through the game, you'll find yourself leveling up and gaining new abilities. The combat system is surprisingly robust for what appears to be a simple platformer. You've got your basic attacks, bombs, and special moves, plus that sweet, sweet combo system that makes you feel like a tiny, giraffe-wielding badass.
The progression system keeps things interesting with meaningful choices. Do you want to increase your bag size? Maybe get better at finding loot? These decisions actually impact how you play, which is always a plus in my book.
The World and Its Characters
Look, I've played a lot of games in my time, but I've never encountered a world quite like this. Where else can you find:
- A mailman who eats letters instead of delivering them
- A group of stoner foxes who provide musical accompaniment to your adventure
- A farmer who married a pig (and seems totally cool with it)
- Hot dogs that transform into old men when you defeat them
It's like somebody took a fever dream and turned it into a game, and somehow it all works together perfectly.
Audio/Visual Department
Visually, this game is a treat. The art style is consistent and charming, with environments that pop with color and character. The animation work is smooth and satisfying – watching your giraffe buddy helicopter you around never gets old.
The audio... well, here's where I have my first real criticism. While the music is good, it gets repetitive pretty quickly. Each zone tends to loop the same track, and after a while, you might find yourself reaching for the volume slider. It's not bad music by any means, but a bit more variety would've gone a long way.
Technical Performance
Running this on Linux (yeah, I'm one of those guys), I encountered zero technical issues. The game ran smooth as butter, which is always appreciated. Controller support works great, and while you can probably play with keyboard and mouse, I'd strongly recommend a controller for this one.
The Difficulty Curve
One thing I really appreciate about Adventure Pals is how it handles difficulty progression. The game starts off pretty easy, letting you get comfortable with the basics, but gradually introduces more challenging elements. By the time you're a few levels in, you'll find yourself managing multiple threats while trying to nail precise platforming sequences – but it never feels unfair.
Replay Value
Each level grades you based on your performance, collecting cupcakes (because of course there are cupcakes), and overall completion. Getting a C-rank might be easy enough, but going back for those A+ ratings? That's where the real challenge lies. Plus, there's co-op functionality, though I didn't get to test it during this session.
The Verdict
After spending two hours with Adventure Pals, I can confidently say this game deserves between 3.5 and 4 waffles out of 5 (because stars are boring, and waffles are delicious). Here's the breakdown:
Pros:
- Charming and unique art style
- Solid platforming mechanics
- Genuinely funny writing and characters
- Smooth difficulty progression
- Great value at $15
- Runs perfectly on Linux
Cons:
- Repetitive music
- Early game might be too easy for hardcore platformer fans
- Some might find the humor a bit too random
Should You Buy It?
At $15 on Steam (or bundled with Cult of the Lamb), Adventure Pals is absolutely worth your time and money if you:
- Enjoy platformers with personality
- Like games that don't take themselves too seriously
- Want something you can play in both short bursts and longer sessions
- Appreciate well-designed progression systems
- Have ever wondered what it would be like to have a giraffe as a backpack
Final Thoughts
Adventure Pals is one of those games that reminds me why I love indie titles. It's weird, it's wonderful, and it's not afraid to be itself. While it might not revolutionize the platforming genre, it brings enough fresh ideas and charm to stand out in an increasingly crowded market.
I may not have gotten through the entire game in our two-hour session, but what I've seen has me excited to keep playing. There's clearly more to discover, more hot dogs to un-oldman, and more absolutely bonkers situations to encounter.
Where to Find More
If you want to see this bizarre adventure in action, you can catch the full two-hour play through over on our Twitch channel or check out the highlights on our YouTube page. And as always, you can find more reviews, streams, and general gaming shenanigans over at 2TonWaffle.com.
Remember to like, subscribe, and let me know in the comments if you've played Adventure Pals or if you have suggestions for future First Two Hours episodes. Until next time, this is Josh saying "later, taters!"
(Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go contemplate why hot dogs turn into old men when you defeat them. That's gonna keep me up tonight.)
FAQ:
Q1: How long is the game?
A: While our review covered the first two hours, most players report completing the main story in 8-10 hours, with completionist runs taking 12-15 hours.
Q2: Can I play this with my kids?
A: Yes! The game is family-friendly with simple controls, though younger children might need help with some of the more challenging platforming sections.
Q3: Does it have local co-op?
A: Yes, Adventure Pals supports local co-op for two players. Just grab a second controller and press A to join.
Q4: Will my potato PC run it?
A: The game is well-optimized and runs smoothly on most systems, including Linux. Minimum requirements are very modest.
Q5: Is there any combat?
A: Yes, but it's cartoonish and non-violent. Combat involves basic attacks, bombs, and special moves, with enemies typically poofing away when defeated.
Q6: Are there difficulty options?
A: While there's no explicit difficulty selector, the game naturally progresses from easy to more challenging levels. Death penalties are forgiving.
Q7: Is there a story, or is it just random humor?
A: There's actually a coherent story beneath the quirky humor, following your quest to save your dad from the villainous Mr. B.
Q8: Are there micro-transactions?
A: Nope! The $15 price tag gets you the complete game with no additional purchases required.
Q9: How's the replay value?
A: Each level has collectibles and grades, encouraging replays for better scores. Plus, co-op adds a new dimension to previously completed levels.
Q10: Is it similar to any other games?
A: It shares some DNA with games like Rayman Legends and Super Meat Boy, but with its own unique style and more forgiving difficulty curve.
