Promenade is a puzzle platformer for the Nintendo Change. It {couples} cute aesthetics with exploratory components in a difficult outing that belies its cartoony look. All of it provides to a enjoyable and satisfying expertise.
You play the position of a younger boy named Nemo. After falling right into a darkish cavern, Nemo is rescued by an cute, pink octopus. The 2 develop into mates and arrange camp, taking part in and bonding earlier than embarking on an epic quest collectively.
The pair discovers a Nice Elevator that connects totally different worlds. An evil entity seems, shrouded in purple smoke, and steals the golden cogs required to run the elevator. Our adventurous duo units off to search out the lacking cogs by fixing puzzles, defeating enemies, and platforming their method throughout the colourful panorama.
Every world has its personal theme, from a seashore to outer house. The range is refreshing, with every new space ripe for exploration. There’s a robust incentive to see what’s up forward, or the place this path leads. Alongside the way in which are varied inventive puzzles that includes all the pieces from serving to a pair of snails reunite to copying a panorama onto a canvas with splotches of paint. Every puzzle is a enjoyable expertise, with some proving to be fairly difficult. Fixing puzzles and gathering cogs permits the elevator to maneuver onto the following world.
One of many standout options of Promenade is its clear, cartoony look. There’s a simplicity that presents a child-like strategy to the structure. This innocence is additional exemplified by a scarcity of on-screen textual content. It’s clear that you just’re in a toddler’s world. This additionally provides to the sensation of exploration. What does that signpost imply? How do I attain that merchandise? There are occasions of trial and error that lead to a sense of satisfaction and plenty of “aha!” moments. It may well additionally result in frustration—notably at first—when understanding what to do isn’t solely clear.
For those who’re a fan of platforming, Promenade has you lined. Working, leaping, and utilizing particular strategies to traverse giant gaps or scale vertical platforms are all par for the course. Your squishy octo-pal serves as a software, permitting you to boost jumps, assault enemies, and extra. Unlocking additional skills alongside the way in which retains issues feeling recent. It additionally opens up beforehand inaccessible areas.
Any difficult sections are balanced with a delicate strategy to Nemo’s well being. Nemo has infinite lives, which means retrying is all the time an choice. He additionally sports activities 5 hearts, shedding one every time he hits an enemy. These are replenished once you discover a cog or take a nap at one of many pillow forts scattered in regards to the place. Dropping all of your hearts forces you to respawn someplace shut by. Fortunately, your beforehand acquired cogs are nonetheless safely in tow. I loved this relaxed type of gameplay; it leaves the challenges with the puzzles and platforming.
There’s rather a lot to take pleasure in in Promenade. Boss fights are robust, puzzles are inventive, and platforming is satisfying. A easy pocket book supplies a glimpse into which cogs you’ve collected and which stay undiscovered. For those who’re a completionist who enjoys such checklists, you’ll love ticking every cog off your checklist.
General, Promenade is a deceptively simple-looking title that’s stuffed with issues to do. There’s loads of selection to maintain you hooked, with difficult puzzles and platforming components to overcome. It’s a candy outing that’s super-satisfying to play.