Snow Bros Wonderland is back! This 30+-year-old franchise has moved away from its 2D roots and is now available as a 3D isometric platform adventure. This change of approach may annoy fans of its predecessors, but I think it is a great move. The compact levels and array of tasks on hand keep you busy throughout. What’s more, it is loud, vibrant, and easy to pick up and play.
This colourful adventure title was developed by Bitwave Games and published by Clear River Games. Moreover, it is a solo or up to 4-player cooperative title. Accordingly, it is a little hectic and things can get messy extremely quickly. I stuck to single-player action and cherished every moment. However, if you have like-minded friends who love platforming games, then this will be a hit.
Snow Bros Wonderland tells a tale of doom.
The once-peaceful world of Snow Land is now under threat. The snowmen must stay cool and calm as they try to protect the king and his people from the evil King Atchich. This is no easy task as every creature wishes to stand in your way. Additionally, there are plenty of side quests to complete and tough parkour moments to overcome.
This should prevent you from completing your goals, but it doesn’t. As long as you keep a cool head, you can work your way through each of the tiny arenas. As long as you complete each mission, you will open a portal and move closer to the end. Occasionally, you must collect keys to progress or hit waypoints to move on. Either way, it is clearly explained and you shouldn’t struggle throughout.
A blend of new and familiar mechanics.
The game comprises 6 worlds and 36 stages. What’s more, there are 6 boss battles and the Grim Reaper to contend with. Don’t worry too much about death, he only turns up if you are too slow. As you progress through the worlds, you’ll enjoy some familiar platforming mechanics. There are moving platforms, switches, chasms, spikes, fire, and other tried and tested elements. Yet, some unique layers keep things interesting.
Snow Bros Wonderland wouldn’t live up to its name if it didn’t have snow and snowballs at the fore. The heroes can turn every enemy into a giant snowball. This can then be used to activate switches or to bowl your opponents out of the way. Furthermore, you can launch the snowballs to access otherwise out-of-reach foes. If this wasn’t enough, there are golden presents to find to unlock new skills and abilities. Though these don’t change the way the game unfolds, they make it loads easier and finding each ability was fun.
Snow Bros Wonderland looks fantastic.
The move away from 2D to 3D was brave. However, I think Snow Bros Wonderland looks fantastic. The clean lines and vibrant colours are pleasant to the eye. What’s more, the sense of depth and different elements keep things interesting throughout. I liked the varied backdrops and the individual challenges they created. Finally, each character can be customised so that every player has a hero that matches their personality.
The audio has an air of old-school optimism. I loved the upbeat and never-ending soundtrack. Subsequently, the jolly songs give you a spring in your step. Moreover, there were daunting moments with dramatic tunes. This blend of aggression and upbeat hope was a pleasure to listen to.
Tight controls.
The developer recommends using a gamepad. I tested both gamepad and mouse and keyboard and the latter was a little clumsy. As such, if you are happy gaming with a controller, it is the way forward. The excellent tutorial gets you on your way and each new mechanic is thoroughly explained. Consequently, younger gamers can tackle this without concern.
Each world has plenty of collectables and loads of secret missions to complete. Moreover, there is a scoring system where you can return to try and beat your original score. Though this may not interest everyone, I loved the layers of replay value and longevity.
Snow Bros Wonderland is a great addition to the franchise.
If you haven’t played the original games, fear not. You are not penalised for your lack of knowledge and you can enjoy Snow Bros Wonderland regardless. However, if you are a franchise expert, you’ll adore the new style and the excellent story. Additionally, the ability to play this with up to 4 people keeps things fresh. Accordingly, this is a great game and I recommend buying it here! Can you help Snow Land and become a hero? Master your snowball, kill every foe, and save the day.
