Alto’s Adventure by Snowman is a visually spectacular game that we have been looking forward to for a long time here on Beautiful Pixels. The game’s premise is simple — it involves you snowboarding across a gorgeous alpine landscape while rescuing llamas and avoiding obstacles. Yes, it is a single touch controlled game. Each run is different as the game is procedurally generated and you will run into various obstacles including chasms, mountain elders, and rocks. There are six characters you can play as, each with their own abilities & characteristics. While most games in this genre would focus on in app purchases before anything else, Alto’s Adventure focusses on delivering a surreal and memorable gameplay experience.
The highlight of the game is definitely the visuals. Everything from the menu animations to the game over screens is pixel perfect. I love the use of blur overlays for menus. The game also looks way better at night (in the game). Screenshots don’t do this game justice by any means. The difference in visuals as time passes in game with the silhouette effect result in something that is definitely wallpaper worthy.
Once you get past the short tutorial, and actually get to play the game in all its glory, you see the amount of care and attention that went into everything. The only real problem is actually getting yourself to focus on the game instead of drooling at the art whilst in aural bliss. Virtual, one of my favourite gaming podcasts, even did an interview with Ryan Cash about Alto’s Adventure and it is worth listening to.
Alto’s Adventure doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it is easily one of the best games available on iOS. It takes stunning visual direction and combines it with addictive gameplay mechanics and a catchy soundtrack perfectly. Alto’s Adventure is what happens when an endless runner and Monument Valley gave birth to a game. Alto’s Adventure is available on iOS for just $1.99.
You should also read Federico Viticci’s take.