I had heard about Alwa’s Awakening a while back, and retro platformers are always something I look into. So when I heard about Alwa’s Legacy, the 16-bit sequel coming to Nintendo Switch, I had to give it a look. Granted, it probably seems backward playing the second game first, but Alwa’s Legacy doesn’t punish you for not playing the first game.

Alwa’s Legacy puts you in the shoes of the first game’s protagonist, Zoe, as she awakens once more in the land of Alwa. She has no memory of her past visit to Alwa, which is great since I didn’t have any memory of that either (oops). Alwa is under attack by a dark sorcerer named Vicar and it is up to Zoe to prepare, strengthen her magic, and take the fight to him.

This game is a non-linear, Metroidvania style platformer. This means that as long as you have the right abilities to go to an area, the game will not prevent you from doing so. It also means that as you progress, you may have to return to areas you have already been after acquiring new powers and abilities.

One of the main, interesting things that drew me in about Alwa’s Legacy, is the puzzle mechanics. Using Zoe’s magic allows you to do things such as conjuring blocks to use as platforms or place these blocks on switches. You can also create bubbles that lift you up and do a few other things. There are multiple ways to play Alwa’s Legacy too.

The developers have added accessibility features to make the game more palatable for folks who have a hard time with platformers. Additionally, the upgrade system allows you to focus on upgrades that fall into three categories: Offense, Defense, and Exploration. Because of this, you can tailor Zoe’s abilities to suit your play style and your particular needs.

Exploration in particular is a large part of Alwa’s Legacy since there are secrets and collectibles hidden in all sorts of places. Like any Metroidvania, this gives you the opportunity to find hidden collectibles that may be used with NPC’s to get upgrades later on.

I’m going to mention as a disclaimer here that Alwa’s Legacy, even with its accessibility features, is not an easy game. In fact, there are some sections that are difficult and require precision platforming. As you progress and unlock new abilities, some of these things get easier. However, this is not a game that is going to hand you your victory.

In fact, I would say that even with its accessibility options, it may still be problematic for people who have limited reflexes. You might die a lot, and you might get frustrated as a result. However, the number of save points and respawns you can have does make the game a little more forgiving in that regard. If you like games like the older Zelda titles, or Metroidvanias that give you the freedom to explore and unlock things at your own pace, Alwa’s Legacy is definitely something you should have on your radar.

It is also interesting to note that Alwa’s Awakening was done in an 8-bit style, while Alwa’s Legacy has a 16-bit style. I wonder if the developers at Elden Pixels intend for a potential sequel to evolve further, perhaps even in a 2.5D nature? I haven’t played Alwa’s Awakening (as previously mentioned) so I don’t know if there is a plot-related reason for this evolution.

If I’m honest, Alwa’s Legacy is a great Indie gem. However, it is not for beginners to platformers, puzzle platformers, or Metroidvanias. If you are looking for a game that will give you a challenge, with a side of great mechanics and a fun aesthetic, then Alwa’s Legacy is for you. If you’re someone that is a casual platformer player, or someone who has trouble with their reflexes, this one might give you trouble.

 A Nintendo Switch review copy of Alwa’s Legacy was provided by Elden Pixels for this review.

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Alwa's Legacy

$17.99 USD

8

Score

8.0/10

Pros

• Gorgeous 16-bit Graphics
• Fantastic Soundtrack
• Great Puzzle Elements
• Multiple Ways to Play
• A Variety of Accessibility Options

Cons

• Difficulty Spikes in Places
• Not Friendly for Beginners