Amanda the Adventurer
- April 25, 2023
- MANGLEDmaw Games
- 4h median play time
Get on Steam"Amanda the Adventurer" is a game that revolves around a TV show about a brave girl named Amanda and her cowardly sheep sidekick, Wooly. The player discovers a box set of the show in their attic and the game allows them to explore and experience the adventures of Amanda and Wooly. The game is a nostalgic journey filled with problem-solving, exploration, and humor.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Unique blend of horror and puzzle-solving elements that keeps players engaged.
- Creepy atmosphere and well-crafted lore that adds depth to the gameplay.
- Fun and challenging puzzles that require critical thinking and attention to detail.
- Short gameplay experience, often completed in under 3 hours, which some players feel is not worth the price.
- Some puzzles can be overly cryptic or frustrating, leading to reliance on guides.
- The story leaves many questions unanswered, which may disappoint players looking for a conclusive narrative.
- story385 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The story of "Amanda the Adventurer" is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating its intriguing and layered narrative that unfolds through hidden tapes and puzzles, encouraging exploration and theorizing. However, some reviewers found the plot to be thin or anticlimactic, often leaving them wanting more resolution and depth. Overall, while the storytelling is engaging and has potential for further development, it can feel incomplete or confusing, especially for those seeking a more straightforward narrative experience.
“The story is intricate and engaging.”
“Amanda the Adventurer is an amazing analog horror type game showcasing the nostalgia between things akin to Dora the Explorer as well as adding a horror twist, making this game a very extraordinary horror game full of a great storyline that gives food for thought.”
“The game feels like a fun escape room, lots of puzzles that reward you with strange secret tapes that feed you small information on the game's backstory and help you figure out the mystery of Amanda the Adventurer.”
“The game left me feeling very disappointed and unsatisfied with a very uninspiring story and pathetic and boring reused jump scares not worth anyone's time nor money.”
“I'm not sure how it maintained an overwhelmingly positive review score: the story was shallow especially for a horror game, the animations were weak, the scares were absolutely non-existent, I never felt engaged with the story whatsoever, and the performance was bad.”
“I feel that the story and mystery started very strong, but none of the endings provided any resolutions, closures, or explanations.”
- gameplay119 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its unique mechanics and engaging puzzles, while others criticize its reliance on repetitive elements and unskippable cutscenes. Some find the experience enjoyable and immersive, particularly due to the variety of endings and the integration of horror elements, while others feel it lacks depth and can feel more like watching a video than playing a game. Overall, the gameplay is described as smooth and accessible, with a blend of point-and-click and puzzle-solving that appeals to a wide range of players, despite some concerns about its length and complexity.
“The gameplay is so fun and the fact that there are so many endings just kept me playing for longer and longer.”
“Clever gameplay mechanics, rewarding puzzles, and just an overall suspenseful game with such well thought out lore within it.”
“One of the game's strengths is its level design, with each level introducing new challenges and obstacles that keep the gameplay fresh and exciting.”
“I love the idea, but unfortunately due to the nature of the gameplay, you'll just end up with the same experience as watching a YouTube video.”
“I'm disappointed to say the least, after all the hype this game received and the demo, which I personally enjoyed a fair bit, this game is a disappointing letdown with a 'meh' story and poor gameplay.”
“It has lackluster gameplay, which horror games sometimes do but they usually make up for it with horror atmosphere and/or story.”
- graphics87 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many players praising the unique art style and vibrant visuals that enhance the overall atmosphere. While some users note that the graphics are not the most polished, they appreciate the charm and creativity behind the design, particularly the blend of realistic and retro elements. However, a few players experienced performance issues, such as lag and limited graphics settings, which detracted from their enjoyment.
“The graphics are great, and the storyline is amazing as well!”
“Absolutely outstanding game with a great story that keeps you hooked each second and great graphics able to immerse you in the world of this amazing game, a serious must play.”
“The game's graphics are incredible and reminiscent of a cartoon (as if from the 80s), which adds to its atmosphere.”
“The lag on my Windows 11 is awful; I tried fixing the graphics, FPS, etc. Nothing seems to work. The game itself isn’t laggy until I add the tapes.”
“Additionally, the graphics and performance in this game are poor.”
“There are minimal graphics settings, and the FPS cap is max 144 and can't be switched off.”
- atmosphere55 mentions
- 55 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its unique blend of creepiness and intrigue, effectively immersing players in a haunting environment that relies more on tension and unsettling visuals than on jump scares. While some reviews note a lack of traditional horror elements, many appreciate the game's ability to create a chilling ambiance through sound design, graphics, and clever storytelling. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a standout feature, enhancing the gameplay experience despite varying opinions on the game's length and horror intensity.
“It's all about atmosphere for this game and it does provide a different, unique type of horror feel.”
“The atmosphere is great, and while there's no real answers to be had, I feel the mystery and sense of 'wrong' that grows as you play the game is great.”
“Atmosphere is great, building tension throughout and delivering some truly shocking and memorable moments with minimal reliance on cheap jumpscares.”
“I've no idea why the reviews are so positive, there is barely an hour's gameplay here and no atmosphere at all.”
“Unfortunately, the game's storyline is too quick and thin, and the level of horror is too small to make up for the fact that the puzzles are well-designed and occasionally tough, and the whole idea gives off an unsettling and creepy atmosphere.”
“It has lackluster gameplay, which horror games sometimes do but they usually make up for it with horror atmosphere and/or story.”
- humor53 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a standout feature, blending dark comedy with elements of horror, often catching players off guard with its unexpected funny moments. Many reviews highlight the amusing interactions with characters like Amanda and Wooly, as well as the game's tongue-in-cheek approach to a children's TV show theme, making it both entertaining and engaging. Overall, players find the humor enhances the experience, providing a unique mix of laughter and tension throughout the gameplay.
“This game is a fast playthrough, but I love the game style and dark humor/horror; definitely worth the buy.”
“Wooly and Amanda's dialogue also has a number of genuinely funny moments that helped to make the horror segments all the scarier.”
“The dark humor masked with children's TV show is quite hilarious.”
- music26 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising the soundtrack for enhancing the atmosphere and gameplay, while others find it challenging due to the requirement of reading sheet music for certain puzzles. Overall, the sound design is noted as excellent, contributing to the immersive experience, though some players feel the music could be more accessible. The catchy theme song and well-executed voice acting are highlighted as standout elements, adding to the game's unique charm.
“This game is amazing in every way; the art style, music, and gameplay are spectacular.”
“The soundtrack is amazing, and the graphics are splendid.”
“The music and sound effects add to the game's immersive experience and create an atmosphere of adventure and excitement.”
“To 100% the game, you need to know how to read sheet music, for example.”
“Difficult for those that don't know how to read music.”
“Also, there are a few times where you have to know specific things in order to continue the game (such as reading sheet music and interpreting vague riddles) that make this game a bit more complicated than it otherwise should be.”
- grinding17 mentions
- 12 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 41 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate that grinding in the game is a mixed experience; while some players find it tedious and frustrating, particularly due to repetitive puzzles and the need for multiple playthroughs to unlock all endings, others appreciate the challenge and excitement of uncovering secrets. Overall, the grinding aspect is seen as a significant detractor for many, with some suggesting it requires an excessive time commitment.
“There are many endings and secrets to uncover through multiple playthroughs, and the game is just the right length to be rewarding and not tedious while you do it.”
“Getting all of the endings was exciting and not tedious at all.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“This game was tedious at best.”
“I love the idea of this to death, but in order to get an even acceptable ending, you have to go through a process of secret hunting and passcode entering so tedious sounding that I can't even bear the thought of getting through to the end.”
- replayability13 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
Overall, the game offers a moderate level of replayability, with multiple endings and easter eggs that encourage exploration of its lore. While some players find the replay value limited after completing the main content, others appreciate the engaging puzzles and the fun of uncovering different story elements. The consensus suggests that while it may not be endlessly replayable, it provides enough variety to warrant a few playthroughs.
“The game also offers some replayability, with more story and different endings that aren't a chore to complete.”
“I love the lore behind the game that you still try to find, and it also has some replay value as well to get the various endings and find out more of the story.”
“The puzzles and dialogue are really clever, and the replay value is absolutely there.”
“While it didn't wow me exponentially in regard to horror and doesn't have much replay value after fully completing it, Amanda the Adventurer is definitely one of the better horror options for a younger audience.”
“For $8.99, however, it is perhaps a little overpriced given its low replay value since obtaining all achievements in two sittings is not at all a daunting task.”
“I enjoy the well thought out puzzles and spooky environment; hope there's more to come as there is not a ton of replay value.”
- stability9 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- -22 % neutral mentions
- 89 % negative mentions
The game's stability is a significant concern, with many players reporting frequent bugs, lag, and freezing issues that can disrupt gameplay and require restarts. While some appreciate the atmospheric glitches, others find them frustrating and detrimental to the overall experience. Despite these problems, a few users noted that they encountered minimal issues, suggesting that stability may vary between playthroughs.
“Fun little game! I completed it with no glitches at all.”
“The game runs smoothly without any issues, making for a great experience.”
“I appreciate the stability; it allows me to focus on the gameplay without interruptions.”
“The game is horribly buggy, unplayable.”
“Not only is it not scary, but there are numerous glitches which can force you to need to restart your entire play session.”
“I had a couple of glitches that froze the tape I was watching and had me restart the game and lose like a minute or two of progress.”
- optimization8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 63 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing significant performance issues such as stuttering and lag, even on low graphics settings. While a few users reported smooth gameplay, the overall consensus indicates that the game's graphics and performance could benefit from further optimization.
“The puzzles are just the right difficulty, the surrounding narrative is interesting, and the voice performances give it its own distinct style.”
“Otherwise, the game runs smoothly for me and is a real treat.”
“It's a good game; I do wish it was a bit more optimized because even at the very low graphics settings, I still lag at times.”
“I'm not sure how it maintained an overwhelmingly positive review score: the story was shallow, especially for a horror game, the animations were weak, the scares were absolutely non-existent, I never felt engaged with the story whatsoever, and the performance was bad.”
“Maybe this was just me, but moving around the attic at 144 frames had objects, like the table where I'm perpetually and uninterestingly presented with the next step in my puzzle, stuttering oddly.”
“The game constantly felt like it was stuttering.”
- emotional7 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a blend of heartwarming and heartbreaking elements, with players finding Amanda to be both funny and endearing. While the game starts off with a wholesome and goofy tone, it also evokes sadness, particularly due to the limited portrayal of the monster Amanda, leading to a mix of fear and emotional resonance that can even bring players to tears.
“A very good game, and the lore is quite heartbreaking.”
“Amanda is a heartwarming girl and really funny.”
“This scary game made me cry.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization of the game is viewed positively, with players appreciating the creators' genuine care for the project rather than treating it as a mere cash grab, distinguishing it from other titles in the mascot horror genre.
“I was expecting it to be just a generic mascot horror, but I will say that the creators seem to genuinely care about the project rather than just doing it for a cash grab.”
“Finally, a new mascot horror game that isn't a passionless cash grab.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features strong character designs and an engaging plot that effectively piques players' curiosity, enhancing the overall character development experience.
“It has good character designs and an amazing plot that makes you even more curious to know more.”
“The character development is incredibly deep, allowing players to form a genuine connection with each character's journey.”
“I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, making their stories feel authentic and engaging.”
