Alto's Adventure
An endless runner snowboarding game with procedurally generated landscapes.
Alto's Adventure is a 2015 endless runner snowboarding game developed by Team Alto and published by Snowman for iOS and Noodlecake Studios for Android. The player automatically moves right through procedurally generated landscapes, tapping to jump and perform tricks. The game received universal acclaim from critics, who praised its art style and atmosphere while noting its gameplay lacked originality.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- Team Alto
- Publisher
- Noodlecake Studios (Android), Snowman (iOS)
- Engine
- Unity
- Platforms
- iOS
- tvOS
- Android
- Android TV
- Kindle Fire
- Linux
- Microsoft Windows
- macOS
- PlayStation 4
- Xbox One
- Nintendo Switch
- Genre
- Endless runner, snowboarding
- Modes
- Single-player
- Director
- Ryan Cash
- Producer
- Jordan Rosenberg
Facts from the source article.
Gameplay
In Alto's Adventure, players snowboard through an endless side-scrolling world where the character automatically moves rightward across procedurally generated terrain. The only direct control is jumping: a single tap launches the boarder into the air, and holding the screen while airborne triggers tricks. The game presents three of 180 possible goals at a time, which include covering a certain distance, saving runaway llamas, leaping over dangerous gaps, grinding along village rooftops, or outsmarting mountain elders. Completing these goals earns awards, and collecting coins lets players buy upgrades. Linking tricks in quick succession—called combos—builds points for a high score, while the game also logs distance and combo streaks. A wingsuit becomes available later, altering gameplay. The environment shifts through a full day-night cycle and includes changing weather. Progress syncs between iPads and iPhones via iCloud, and leaderboards are handled through Game Center.
Development
Alto's Adventure was built by Snowman, a three-person indie studio based in Toronto, in collaboration with lead artist and programmer Harry Nesbitt of Devon, England, a partnership known as Team Alto. Nesbitt later founded the studio Land & Sea to support the game and its sequel. The developers aimed to capture the flow and feeling of snowboarding and the way everything else disappears when in rhythm with the mountain, unlike other snowboarding games. They also sought to avoid emphasizing console-type on-screen controls, which Snowman co-founder Ryan Cash felt were not designed with mobile in mind. The game was inspired by Journey, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2, and Windosill. Cash and co-founder Jordan Rosenberg wanted to bring the essence of Tony Hawk games—fun, positive goals and an easy-to-learn, hard-to-master trick system—while avoiding goals they considered negative or repetitive. Inspired by Monument Valley, the developers charged above average for the game to avoid advertisements or in-app purchases. Team Alto stated any new content would be an expansion similar to Monument Valley's Forgotten Shores. The iOS version launched as a premium app for $2.99. The Android port, made with Noodlecake Studios, was released free to download due to what Snowman described as a different ecosystem and greater piracy issues on Android, though the experience was intended to be the same.
Reception
Alto's Adventure was met with universal acclaim, according to Metacritic. Critics praised the game's art style and visual design but found its gameplay lacking in originality. Pocket Gamer gave it a Gold Award. Andrew Webster of The Verge described it as a supremely laid-back and incredibly relaxing experience, calling it one of his favorite mobile games and noting its style and achingly beautiful mountain landscape set it apart. He compared it to a mix of Sword & Sworcery and Tiny Wings. TouchArcade's Jared Nelson likened the art style to Journey and the gameplay to Ski Safari, calling the visuals incredible with many tiny details, though he found the game unchallenging. Eric Ford, also of TouchArcade, called the gameplay basic and not truly innovative for the genre, but said the game was worth experiencing for its excellent visual style and soundtrack. He praised the trick system for giving even simple tricks a sense of accomplishment and noted that dynamic weather changed the game's feel without altering gameplay. Ford predicted players would either appreciate the artistic integrity and nuanced visuals or be disappointed by its similarity to other endless runners.
Frequently Asked Questions
What platforms is Alto's Adventure available on?
Alto's Adventure was released for iOS, tvOS, Android, Android TV, Kindle Fire, Linux, Microsoft Windows, macOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and others.
What engine does Alto's Adventure use?
Alto's Adventure runs on Unity.
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