Adorable Adventures is one of those relaxing titles that will appeal to a niche audience. However, if you fall for its charms or you want a change of pace, this may be the game for you. With limited violence, super cute boars, and a pleasant world to explore, this is the ideal game for younger and older gamers.
This third-person animal adventure was developed by Wild Sheep Studio and published by PQube. It is a single-player game where collectables, scents, and a gentle-paced story take centre stage. It is this calm approach that makes this wonderfully casual. However, the lack of depth may be a sticking point for gamers who love a challenge.
Adorable Adventures tells a heartwarming tale.
Family is everything! Therefore, if anything happens, you’ll put your life on the line to make sure they are safe. This is exactly what happens in Adorable Adventures. A family of boars are split up after a devastating forest fire destroys their home. The young boars scatter, and the mother boar is trapped. Consequently, you must find your siblings and devise a plan to rescue your mother.
The story is beautifully told, but it doesn’t sit at the fore. Instead, the use of scents and finding items are key mechanics. Alongside this, there are some nice quests, side quests, and enjoyable games to play as you explore each unique location. Although things don’t evolve too much, there is enough variety to keep you entertained for the 4 to 5 hours of playtime.
Dreamwork, teamwork!
Unlocking new areas requires family and teamwork. As you locate new pathways, they are blocked by an almost immovable object. Thankfully, as your pack expands, you can use the collective power to overcome the obstacle and reach new areas. The new biomes deliver new challenges and different side quests to enjoy. With caves to explore, rivers to cross and forests to visit, there is plenty to keep you occupied.
However, it is scent-based tracking and the environmental interactions and puzzles that make Adorable Adventures shine. As you find new items, you will memorise the scent. Find a certain amount of each element, and you can prevent it from blocking your search. This idea was remarkably simple, but it worked exceptionally well. The puzzles are linked to each of your siblings. Before they’ll rejoin the pack, they demand that you complete a task. Most of these objectives are relatively straightforward, but there are some minor riddles to test your brain.
Finally, there are plenty of side activities to distract you. Time trials, cleanup tasks, photography challenges, and the chance to dress up Boris the boar were simple but fun activities. Each of these adds a minor layer of depth that helps to pad out the core game.
Adorable Adventures is cute, wholesome, and easy on the eye.
Adorable Adventures doesn’t have a next-gen edge, but this mattered not. The animation is smooth, the colours are pleasant, and the varied backdrops are a joy to explore. Moreover, the boars are super cute. Although this will not win any awards for its visual prowess, it is pleasant enough for the indie market.
The audio is fantastic. The warm narration adds to your approach. If you take your time, the game works with you. Alternatively, if you pause to take in the view, the commentary simply stops to give you some time. This is complemented by the stunning ambient sounds. The realistic animal sounds and the whoosh of the wind were a joy to experience.
Simple controls.
If you want an easy game to play, this will appeal to you. The control system works perfectly with the basic UI. Changing scents and navigating the world was a breeze. Furthermore, completing the side quests and understanding what was required was straightforward. Subsequently, this is great for younger and older gamers.
Replay value and longevity are, unfortunately, lacking. The limited playtime and one-time-only quests prevent you from coming back for more. Luckily, the first playthrough is great, so a lack of replay value was the least of my concerns.
Adorable Adventures is short but sweet.
Adorable Adventures is a short but sweet experience. The story is wholesome, and the boars are cute. Furthermore, the level design is interesting, well-considered, and fun to explore. Although replay value is lacking, I enjoyed playing the role of a baby boar and everything that came with it. Accordingly, I love it, and I recommend buying it here! Can you rescue your mother and find your siblings? Search the world, solve the puzzles, and absorb every scent.
