Alter Review: An Action Puzzle Platformer

Alter is a flash animation action/puzzle platformer created by Newgrounds.com programmer acrazycanadian. This puzzle game was submitted to Newgrounds.com on December 28, 2009 and won a Daily 3rd Place award on December 29, 2009.

Game Background

You were sleeping in bed when your house shakes from falling crystals. You awake to find yourself glowing. After discovering that you now possess the power to grow and shrink objects, you set out on an unwanted quest to discover what is going on with the world.

Gameplay

Alter is an action platformer that requires players to solve a variety of puzzles along the way in order to complete the game. Your main ability involves growing and shrinking certain objects around you.

As you explore the world around you, you will encounter many different individuals. Many will ask for favors from you. It is up to you to decide whether or not to help. Different actions will have different consequences. For instance, helping someone can increase your karma level. If helping someone results in hurting someone else, then your karma level may decrease. Along with your karma meter, you also have an awesome meter. This also changes depending on the choices you make throughout the game.

Both meters are displayed at the top of the screen and normally drop down and become visible when you complete a deed.

After playing around with the controls for a bit, especially with your special ability, you'll soon discover that you have a limit on how often you can grow and shrink things. Though this power can be recharged, it is essential that you learn how to conserve your energy. Make your decisions strategically as you explore the world and encounter puzzles.

Game Controls

Use WASD or arrow keys to move around.
Press W or Up to jump.
Use the mouse to click on objects.

Game Review

Though filled with creative potential, Alter falls short with awkward maneuvering. Walking around and jumping were not as intuitive as players would have liked, causing frustration and leaving players less wanting to continue playing. However, the rest of the game is sure to entertain. The artwork is cute and colorful, and the music adds to the game's appeal. Having the game's plot unfold as you explored the world gave the game a mysterious quality that can keep players interested. However, despite these assets, the game's user-unfriendly maneuverability may keep most gamers away.

Alter scores a 5/10 for providing general entertainment. Improving the game's flow and character movements would improve this game dramatically.