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For many gamers, what we want is always in flux, changing with our current entertainment needs. Sometimes, taking a deep dive into an expansive world with complex player customization is the order of the day, while other times a more simplistic game is desired, if for nothing more than a change of pace. Alwa’s Awakening is an endearing NES-style Metroidvania that doesn’t do anything groundbreaking, but manages to satiate those urges for more straightforward experiences.
But don’t get me wrong, the land of Alwa is vast, with hundreds of rooms to explore, jam-packed with secrets and hidden rooms reminiscent of Metroid (NES). While not as cryptic as some NES games, you still need a keen eye to pick up everything, including simply progressing. There were times when I was stumped regarding how to progress. But by utilizing your staff and three powers: creating blocks, summoning bubbles, and shooting lightning, ingeniously applied, paths will open up in no time! As a hint, blocks are the best way to “test the waters,” so to speak, when searching for fake spikes or hidden drop-through spots. Trust me, there are a lot.
This includes finding orbs, some in plain sight, others well hidden, and many that appear easy to grab but are hard-to-reach and demand clever maneuvering to reach. There are 99 orbs, and I found 95, which brings me to one of my main gripes. There are plenty of keys and even more locked doors. I unlocked a few doors with disappointing results; they seemed to lead to nothing. Later on, I did not have a key to unlock a door that would have uncovered more of the map. I finished with 98% map completion, likely leading to at least some of the last few orbs. It seems there are not enough keys to unlock all of the doors, as extensive searching through the map was not fruitful in uncovering my long-lost key.
Nevertheless, the orbs serve as an aid in beating bosses. The more you collect, the more damage you do to the boss at the start of the battle. When I was around 40, I started the fight immediately, dealing 3 damage to the boss, a sizeable chunk considering they take around a dozen hits. At the end, with 95, I started the battle off dealing 4 damage. I didn’t find any other use for the orbs, but that was already enough, and I’d assume finding the last four would cause an extra damage point.
But honestly, bosses aren’t very hard or time-consuming. The first few attempts might lead to game overs, but very clear patterns emerge that are easy to exploit for patient gamers. Battles aren’t so much about finesse as they are about observing and recognizing attack cycles and movements. Once you get those down, bosses will fall in no time. Unlike many games that rely on damage sponge enemies, most foes in Alwa’s Awakening can be taken down in 1 or 2 hits. I never had to wail away at them, a welcome deviation from too many games in the genre. Don’t get that twisted; they can still be a nuisance, placed just far enough away to pose a threat, where careful movements are needed to dodge. Plus, there are plenty of hazards, the last portion of the game leading up to the last boss being the most notable. Other than that last portion, the difficulty curve is light and manageable, and I found platforming fair and only slightly taxing.
Still, there are generous amounts of save points spread evenly across Alwa. I wish I could say the same about warp points. There are just 6, so for those looking to 100% the game, a decent amount of backtracking is required, which brings me to my next gripe. It wasn’t too much of an issue to have only 3 HP, as you can gain a flask that doubles your durability relatively early on, and there are enough wells to fill it up. However, even if you save with a flask and proceed to lose to a boss, the reloaded save leaves you with an empty flask. Meaning several losses in a row lead to what felt like endless backtracking to fill it. It’s a simple fix that wouldn’t affect difficulty; it just saves the gamer’s time and shows respect for it.
Otherwise, I had a blast with this game; the challenge feels just right, and it’s easy to see that a lot of love was poured into the game with charming retro aesthetics and a catchy, memorable chip tune soundtrack. If anything, the enemies, while appealing, were too cute for those wanting a more serious challenge. There are towns and NPCs scattered around Alwa, with beautiful pixel art, that offer useful tips and hints. While not mindblowing, the different areas should hold your attention for the duration, around 10 to 15 hours on a blind first playthrough, depending on whether you want to speed through the game or try to find everything.
Alwa’s Awakening isn’t spectacular, but it’s solid. It’s a fun little romp, the perfect type of game to play when you need a break from more convoluted games. It isn’t overly demanding while requiring some thought and good observational skills. This is a great game for Metroidvania veterans and newcomers to the genre alike.
Do you like other retro-style Metroidvanias? Check out Axiom Verge 1 and 2!