The Adventure Pals

Come on grab your friends. We'll go to very distant lands with the Adventure Pals.

84%Game Brain Score

graphics, gameplay

grinding, optimization

92% User Score Based on 2,546 reviews

Critic Score 76%Based on 19 reviews

Platforms

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About

The Adventure Pals is a single player and multiplayer role playing game with fantasy and comedy themes. It was developed by MassiveMonster and was released on April 3, 2018. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

"The Adventure Pals" is a lighthearted platformer game with cartoonish graphics and combat. Explore five diverse worlds while leveling up and improving your abilities. Complete quests, find collectibles, and engage in both platforming and combat-focused levels for a fun-filled journey.

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92%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,546 reviews

graphics248 positive mentions

grinding26 negative mentions

The game features a charming art style and humorous dialogue that appeals to both kids and adults.
Gameplay is simple and accessible, making it easy for casual players to enjoy without feeling overwhelmed.
The cooperative mode allows for fun multiplayer experiences, enhancing the overall enjoyment of the game.

The game can become repetitive over time, with similar level designs and mechanics throughout.
Combat feels simplistic and lacks depth, often reducing encounters to button-mashing.
Some players experienced bugs and glitches that affected gameplay, including issues with achievements and level progression.

graphics
476 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
47%
1%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming, cartoonish art style reminiscent of popular shows like "Adventure Time," contributing to a whimsical and engaging atmosphere. Many players appreciate the colorful visuals and detailed animations, which enhance the overall gameplay experience, although some critiques mention a lack of depth in the aesthetic that may feel disconnected from the game's core elements. Overall, the art style is considered a standout feature, appealing particularly to younger audiences and fans of lighthearted platformers.
- “The adventure pals is a delightful blend of platforming, action, and humor, wrapped in a colorful, hand-drawn aesthetic that instantly charms players.”
- “The hand-drawn art style is colorful and whimsical, creating a visually appealing world that feels alive and inviting.”
- “The graphics are on par with immense cuteness and pure entertainment (hello, giraffe tongue) and the story is pure silliness right to the very end.”
- “The game feels unfinished as some of the artwork in the conclusion seems rough, being a quarter of the price of a Mario game.”
- “A 2D action-platformer that riffs on the cute/quirky visual style of modern cartoons like Adventure Time but offers virtually nothing else to distinguish itself either aesthetically or mechanically.”
- “The art style and world design do not even make it worth playing either because of how artificial they are.”
gameplay
462 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
55%
6%
The gameplay of the game is characterized by its simplicity and accessibility, making it enjoyable for casual players, especially in co-op mode. However, many reviewers noted that the mechanics can become repetitive and lack depth, with combat often feeling like a button-mashing exercise rather than a strategic challenge. While the introduction of new mechanics and environments throughout the game helps to keep things fresh, the overall experience may not satisfy those seeking more complex gameplay.
- “The gameplay is simple yet addicting, and collecting cupcakes for a literal cupcake king was oddly rewarding.”
- “The controls are tight and responsive, allowing for fluid movement and satisfying combat mechanics.”
- “The variety in environments keeps the gameplay fresh, and the inclusion of puzzles and mini-games adds additional layers of fun.”
- “Gameplay loop is kind of boring/repetitive as you smack opponents until they or you die.”
- “However, the lack of entertainment, messy gameplay, and uninspiring dialog made this game a drag to complete.”
- “The gameplay combat and platforming loop grows stale fast making each section feel like a boring chore.”
story
438 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
53%
5%
The game's story is characterized as whimsical and humorous, featuring a young hero on a quest to save his father from a villain intent on turning people into hot dogs. While the narrative is often described as silly and nonsensical, it serves as a vehicle for entertaining gameplay and quirky characters, though some players feel it lacks depth and can be repetitive. Overall, the lighthearted and comedic approach to storytelling appeals to a younger audience, making it a fun experience despite its shortcomings.
- “The story and characters are super fun to play and figure out, and is totally worth getting.”
- “The story is fun and goofy, but the writing doesn't always land.”
- “The story is quite funny, cute and easy to follow.”
- “The story, while whimsical, doesn't quite develop its initial potential.”
- “While it attempts to satirize gaming tropes - with villains announcing their absurd hot dog-transformation schemes and characters lampshading plot conveniences with fourth-wall-breaking comments - it never transcends these same clichés.”
- “The game's story is absolute nonsense featuring a young boy on a mission to save his father from an evil megalomaniac who seems intent on turning everybody and everything into hotdogs and also happens to wear an actual goldfish bowl on his head - water, fish and all.”
humor
404 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is a mix of quirky, absurd, and often silly elements, drawing comparisons to shows like "Adventure Time" and early flash games. While many players found the dialogue and character interactions genuinely funny, some noted that the humor can be hit-or-miss, relying on puns and randomness that may not resonate with everyone. Overall, the lighthearted and whimsical tone, combined with colorful visuals, creates an enjoyable experience, particularly for younger audiences and those who appreciate a more casual, comedic approach to storytelling.
- “The humor is wild, and the dad jokes hit harder than Mr. Rock’s emotional backstory.”
- “One level had me rescuing a town of toast people while dodging bandits—I couldn’t stop laughing.”
- “The adventure pals is a delightful blend of platforming, action, and humor, wrapped in a colorful, hand-drawn aesthetic that instantly charms players.”
music
162 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
35%
5%
The music in the game is generally praised for its catchy and cheerful tunes that complement the vibrant visuals and playful atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience. However, some players noted that the soundtrack can become repetitive over time, with limited variety across different levels. Despite this, many found the music to be a highlight, contributing to the game's charm and enjoyment.
- “The music and visuals are phenomenal and the game feels great, especially when using a controller.”
- “The soundtrack is quite good, especially the track that plays when you beat a level.”
- “The music is phenomenal - and the fact that there isn't an OST out yet is a crime.”
- “So far, the only thing I don't like is the music.”
- “I wish there was some musical variety.”
- “The music was a bit annoying after three or four hours, and in total, the game was maybe one or two hours too long for me.”
grinding
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
10%
87%
Reviews on the grinding aspect of the game are mixed. While some players appreciate that the game allows for completion without excessive grinding, others find the pursuit of collectibles tedious and repetitive, particularly as they progress. The level design is generally praised, but the need to grind for cosmetic items can detract from the overall enjoyment and momentum of gameplay.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “I thought I'd be able to at least file this game away as complete after this annoying and tedious experience, but I can't even do that.”
- “If you try to collect all the cupcakes and stickers - it can become quite tedious 1/3 into the game and it kills the momentum on some levels.”
- “The problem arises that the level structure and designs within them become repetitive and tedious.”
replayability
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
65%
12%
The game offers moderate replayability, primarily driven by collectibles and unlockable upgrades that encourage exploration. While co-op mode adds to the experience, there is limited post-game content, making 100% completion relatively easy. Players may find replay value in revisiting levels for missed items, but overall, the replayability is not infinite and can feel constrained without additional challenges.
- “This game has a lot of replayability and just the right amount of challenge.”
- “The replayability is bolstered by collectibles and unlockable upgrades, encouraging players to explore every nook and cranny of the colorful world.”
- “This game is a collector's dream with many collectibles to get along the way, which I am sure will add a lot of replay value once the main story is finished.”
- “No real post-game content for replayability; you can get 100% completion easily enough as you go the first time.”
- “Replayability there's not too much to do if you want to replay the game again unless you're doing collectibles, which give you another chance to get if you ever miss a sticker or cupcake in one of the levels.”
- “Replay value: 2 points.”
optimization
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
54%
31%
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing significant stuttering and frame rate drops, particularly on lower-end systems, while others report smooth performance and no major issues. Overall, the game is described as charming and fun, but its optimization problems, including a lack of vsync and occasional performance hiccups, can detract from the experience. Players with medium to high-end rigs generally report a more stable performance.
- “Super cute indie game with fast, responsive controls and great performance on deck.”
- “Beautiful cartoonish graphics and stable performance.”
- “Overall the game runs smoothly, it's charming, fun, and can be a little challenging here and there.”
- “Every few seconds I get some heavy frame rate stuttering that completely undermines the look and feel of the game.”
- “However, it's horribly unoptimized, resulting in problems like no VSync, stuttering, and dropped frames on systems that should absolutely crush this game.”
- “Constant stuttering and lack of control settings.”
stability
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
9%
83%
The game's stability is a significant concern, with numerous players reporting frequent glitches, crashes, and freezing issues, particularly during critical moments like boss fights. While some users enjoyed the gameplay, many expressed frustration over the game's unreliability, especially after extended play sessions, leading to a recommendation to seek out less buggy alternatives. Overall, the game's stability issues detract from the overall experience, making it difficult for some players to complete it.
- “No glitches or bugs.”
- “Looks and runs great... there isn't much more to say, go buy it and have a blast. If you like platformers, this game is a no-brainer, even at full price.”
- “I also had multiple issues of the game freezing on a white screen which has ultimately prevented me from finishing the game as I have tried a dozen troubleshooting tactics that have all failed.”
- “Good game, very buggy and keeps on crashing.”
- “Edit - game gets very buggy towards the end when dying a lot, respawning you in stuck places or completely breaking the game and forcing you to close it.”
emotional
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its emotional depth, featuring a heartwarming story filled with unique and wholesome characters that players feel compelled to help. Its humor, particularly through dad jokes, adds a lighthearted touch, making it appealing to both kids and adults. Overall, it is described as a cute and enjoyable adventure that resonates emotionally with its audience.
- “Great platforming with lovely artwork and a silly yet heartwarming story.”
- “The characters are all unique and wholesome that you'll want to help, and provides a neat storyline.”
- “Wholesome adventure, Mr. Rock deserves a Nobel Peace Prize.”
atmosphere
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
43%
19%
The game's atmosphere is characterized by a light-hearted, quirky vibe, enhanced by cheerful music and colorful visuals that create a relaxing and enjoyable experience. While the humor may not always land, it contributes to a playful environment filled with charming creatures and smooth animations. Overall, the atmosphere is described as bubbly and pleasant, making it a refreshing addition to the gaming landscape.
- “It’s a colourful platformer with hilarious creatures and a relaxing atmosphere.”
- “Such a clean, relaxed and pleasant atmosphere fits in well with the story and general gameplay, which is another reason to appreciate the aesthetics.”
- “The atmosphere of the game is bubbly and exciting, and the visuals are cute and very well done.”
- “The whole atmosphere is something you rarely find nowadays.”
- “The atmosphere of the game is bubbly and exciting and the visuals are cute and very well done.”
- “This random quirkiness in its humor and atmosphere where narwhals and bacon ruled the internet.”
character development
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
40%
The character development in the game is highly praised for its engaging and humorous designs, which effectively draw players into the experience. Reviewers appreciate the creativity and effort put into the character art and dialogue, highlighting how these elements contribute to the overall enjoyment and charm of the game.
- “They really reel you in with interesting character design and a bizarre premise — which is very reflective of what the game was inspired by.”
- “Absolutely love this game, the art style, humor, and character design has me smiling from ear to ear.”
- “It's clear a lot of love went into all of the art, character designs, and dialogue; I think they did a wonderful job here.”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
The monetization strategy of the game is criticized for being a cash grab, with many users feeling that it is a lazy port of uninspired platforming gameplay from consoles, aimed at capitalizing on the Steam market.
- “The monetization strategy feels exploitative, with constant prompts to spend money on in-game items that should be earnable through gameplay.”
- “It's frustrating to see so many features locked behind paywalls, making it hard to enjoy the game without shelling out extra cash.”
- “The game is riddled with microtransactions that disrupt the experience, turning what could be a fun adventure into a money-grabbing scheme.”