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Joe Wander and the Enigmatic Adventures

Joe Wander and the Enigmatic Adventures features gorgeous environments and some tricky, yet enjoyable, puzzles. Camera and movement issues aside, this is a fun adventure that puzzle fans will get a kick out of.
Joe Wander and the Enigmatic Adventures Game Cover
82%Game Brain Score
gameplay, graphics
story
91% User Score Based on 46 reviews
Critic Score 60%Based on 1 reviews

Platforms

Xbox Series X|SPCPlaystation 5XboxSteam DeckWindowsPlayStation
Joe Wander and the Enigmatic Adventures Game Cover

About

Joe Wander and the Enigmatic Adventures is a single player casual platformer game with a fantasy theme. It was developed by Frozen Pixel and was released on February 3, 2023. It received neutral reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

"Joe Wander and the Enigmatic Adventures" is a nostalgic, pixel-art inspired metroidvania game. Join Joe as he explores a mysterious world, filled with challenging puzzles, powerful abilities, and formidable enemies. With its rich story, immersive soundtrack, and tight controls, this is a game that will keep you engaged for hours.

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91%
Audience ScoreBased on 46 reviews
gameplay8 positive mentions
story3 negative mentions

  • The game features stunning graphics and a beautiful aesthetic that enhances the overall experience.
  • Challenging puzzles and engaging platforming mechanics keep players entertained and invested throughout the game.
  • The game offers a gradual learning curve, making it accessible for beginners while still providing depth for experienced players.
  • The game suffers from performance issues on the Steam Deck, with erratic frame rates and control responsiveness problems.
  • Some levels have poorly designed puzzles and mechanics that can lead to frustration rather than challenge.
  • The lack of a cohesive story and some clunky controls detract from the overall enjoyment of the game.
  • gameplay
    17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Joe Wander and the Enigmatic Adventures" is characterized by its creative whip mechanics, which allow players to engage in combat, solve puzzles, and navigate obstacles. The game effectively introduces new mechanics across its four worlds, keeping the experience fresh and challenging, although some players noted that the final world felt rushed and less polished. Overall, the combination of intuitive controls, captivating puzzles, and rich environmental detail contributes to an engaging and enjoyable platforming experience.

    • “The game gradually introduces new mechanics and concepts, allowing players to build upon their skills as they progress.”
    • “Each of the four worlds introduces a new puzzle-solving mechanic to keep the game engaging, sometimes combining mechanics from previously completed worlds to form complex puzzles.”
    • “The responsiveness of the whip mechanics is exceptional, allowing for smooth and gratifying actions.”
    • “At the core is a really creative set of mechanics that I wish the devs had stuck to showcasing, instead of trying to shoehorn them all into a nut punch of yolo platforming.”
    • “The last world in particular introduces a puzzle-solving mechanic without enough explanation or visual cues, leaving the impression that this part of the game was rushed rather than intentionally designed this way (especially in comparison to the obviously more polished earlier worlds).”
    • “The main mechanic is poor and I still haven’t learned the rules.”
  • graphics
    16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics in the game have received widespread acclaim, with many users praising their beauty, quality artwork, and nostalgic feel reminiscent of late 90s titles. While some players experienced issues with frame rates, the overall aesthetic and design have been highlighted as exceptional, contributing to an engaging and immersive experience. The combination of appealing visuals and effective audio enhances the game's charm, making it enjoyable for both kids and adults.

    • “The graphics are the best I have seen in a 2D side-type game.”
    • “The graphics are gorgeous, and the developers have done an excellent job of creating a beautiful and mysterious world.”
    • “Quality artwork - their use of style, pacing, and audio is absolutely special and left me reloading saves just to watch them once again.”
    • “I really wish I could have played it, but I couldn't find a stable frame rate after trying everything (adjusting in-game graphics settings, frame rate caps, different Proton versions, etc).”
  • music
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is highly praised for its quality and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, particularly during boss battles. Reviewers note that the attention to detail in the soundtrack contributes significantly to the immersive experience, complementing the game's impressive graphics.

    • “Awesome game with amazing graphics and pretty music.”
    • “I have to say that the attention to detail is superb; even the music fits perfectly and gives you an amazing atmosphere while playing.”
  • story
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game lacks a compelling story or emotional connection, which may disappoint players seeking a narrative experience, though some may not find this aspect necessary for enjoyment.

    • “There is no story or sense of connection in the game.”
    • “The narrative feels disjointed and lacks depth.”
    • “I found the plot to be predictable and uninspired.”
  • atmosphere
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its superb attention to detail, with art and music that seamlessly enhance the overall experience, creating an immersive environment for players.

    • “I love everything about this game - the art, gameplay, atmosphere.”
    • “I have to say that the attention to detail is superb; even the music fits perfectly and creates an amazing atmosphere while playing.”
  • replayability
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players highlight that the various modes in "Joe Wander and the Enigmatic Adventures" significantly enhance its replayability, providing additional challenges that appeal to fans of puzzle platformers.

    • “The different modes offer even more challenge and replayability, making 'Joe Wander and the Enigmatic Adventures' a must-play for anyone who loves puzzle platformers.”
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Frequently Asked Questions

Joe Wander and the Enigmatic Adventures is a casual platformer game with fantasy theme.

Joe Wander and the Enigmatic Adventures is available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5, Steam Deck and others.

Joe Wander and the Enigmatic Adventures was released on February 3, 2023.

Joe Wander and the Enigmatic Adventures was developed by Frozen Pixel.

Joe Wander and the Enigmatic Adventures has received neutral reviews from players and neutral reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its story.

Joe Wander and the Enigmatic Adventures is a single player game.

Similar games include BZZZT, Trine 2: Complete Story, Primal Light, Grapple Dog, Path of Giants and others.