View source for Software:Alto's Adventure

{{Short description|2015 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Alto's Adventure
| image = Alto's Adventure promo artwork - Poster.png
| developer = Team Alto<ref>{{cite web |title=Team Alto |url=http://www.altosadventure.com/team/ |website=Alto's Adventure Official Website |access-date=30 June 2021}}</ref>
| publisher = Noodlecake Studios (Android), [[Company:Snowman|Snowman]] (iOS)
| engine = [[Software:Unity (game engine)|Unity]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.harrynesbitt.com/blog/the-making-of-altos-adventure/|title=The Making of Alto's Adventure|date=2015-04-03|work=Harry Nesbitt|access-date=2017-04-27|language=en-US}}</ref>
| platforms = {{ubl|[[Software:IOS|iOS]]|[[Software:Android (operating system)|Android]]|[[Software:Android TV|Android TV]]|[[Engineering:Kindle Fire|Kindle Fire]]|[[Software:Linux|Linux]]|[[Software:Microsoft Windows|Microsoft Windows]]|[[Engineering:PlayStation 4|PlayStation 4]]|[[Engineering:Xbox One|Xbox One]]|[[Engineering:Nintendo Switch|Nintendo Switch]]}}
| released = {{Collapsible list|title = February 19, 2015|titlestyle = font-weight:normal;background:transparent;text-align:left;
|'''iOS'''|February 19, 2015
|'''Android''', '''Kindle Fire'''|February 11, 2016
|'''Windows''', '''Linux'''|July 8, 2016
|'''PlayStation 4''', '''Xbox One'''|August 13, 2020
|'''Nintendo Switch'''|November 26, 2020
}}
| genre = Endless runner, snowboarding
| modes = Single-player
| director = Ryan Cash
| producer = Jordan Rosenberg 
| programmer = Harry Nesbitt
| artist = Harry Nesbitt
}}'''''Alto's Adventure''''' is a 2015 endless runner snowboarding video game developed by Team Alto and published by [[Company:Snowman|Snowman]] (iOS) and Noodlecake Studios (Android). The player-character automatically moves to the right of the screen through procedurally generated landscapes. The player taps the screen to jump and perform tricks (backflips), and works towards goals, competitive high scores, and upgrades. Snowman, a Toronto-based, three-person indie development team, previously worked on productivity apps before ''Alto's Adventure''. The game was made to emulate the ethereal atmosphere of snowboarding, and was inspired by ''Ski Safari'' (2012), ''[[Software:Tiny Wings|Tiny Wings]]'' (2012), ''[[Software:Jetpack Joyride|Jetpack Joyride]]'' (2011), ''[[Software:Journey (2012 video game)|Journey]]'' (2012), ''[[Software:Monument Valley (video game)|Monument Valley]]'' (2014), ''[[Software:Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2|Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2]]'' (2000), and ''[[Software:Windosill|Windosill]]'' (2009).<ref>{{Cite web|title= The Story Behind Alto's Adventure |url = https://ryancash.net/post/117092406765/the-story-behind-altos-adventure/|website = ryancash.net| date=April 22, 2015 |access-date = 2015-04-22}}</ref>

The game was released on February 19, 2015, initially for [[Software:IOS|iOS]] devices. In September that year, Snowman announced that ''Alto's Adventure'' would launch on [[Software:Android (operating system)|Android]] and [[Engineering:Kindle Fire|Kindle Fire]]. The game was released for Android on February 11, 2016.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title = Alto's Adventure is launching on Android on February 11th|url = http://blog.builtbysnowman.com/post/138612929007/altos-adventure-android-release-date|website = blog.builtbysnowman.com|access-date = 2016-02-04}}</ref> On July 8, 2016, the game was released for the [[Software:Windows|Windows]] platform.<ref>{{Cite web|title= Alto's Adventure lands on Windows 10 |url = http://mspoweruser.com/altos-adventure-lands-windows-10/|website = mspoweruser.com| date=July 8, 2016 |access-date = 2016-07-08}}</ref>

According to review score aggregator Metacritic, the game received universal acclaim from critics. Reviewers praised its art style and sense of atmosphere but criticized its gameplay as unoriginal. ''Pocket Gamer'' awarded the game their Gold Award. A sequel, ''[[Software:Alto's Odyssey|Alto's Odyssey]]'', was released in 2018.

== Gameplay ==

[[File:Alto's Adventure trailer.webm|thumb|left|Gameplay trailer]]

''Alto's Adventure'' is a [[Software:Side-scrolling|side-scrolling]]<ref name="TouchArcade review"/> endless runner snowboarding game. The [[Software:Player character|player character]] moves automatically through procedurally generated landscapes<ref name="Verge: next"/> towards the right side of the screen<ref name="TA: now"/> and the player can only control when to jump.<ref name="Verge: next"/> The player taps the screen once to jump and holds the screen while the player character is midair to perform tricks.<ref name="Verge: next"/> While the character moves across the landscape, the player can complete some of the game's 180 goals,<ref name="Polygon: Alto's"/> though they are given only three at a time. Goals include such things as traveling a set distance,<ref name="GameZebo review"/> rescuing runaway llamas, crossing dangerous gaps, grinding across rooftops of villages, and outsmarting the mountain elders.<ref name="Polygon: Alto's"/> The player receives awards from completing goals, and can also collect coins that can be used to purchase upgrades.<ref name="Verge: next"/> Players perform tricks in quick succession, or [[Software:Combo (video gaming)|combos]], to earn points<ref name="Pocket Gamer review"/> towards a competitive high score. The game also tracks distance traveled and trick combos. Later in the game, players can use a wingsuit, which changes some elements of the game.<ref name="Polygon: Alto's"/> The environments of ''Alto's Adventure'' change in lighting as time passes through the cycle of the day, and incorporate various weather effects.<ref name="TouchArcade review"/> Player progress syncs between iPads and iPhones over [[Company:ICloud|iCloud]],<ref name="Polygon: Alto's"/> and the game uses Game Center leaderboards.<ref name="GameZebo review"/>

== Development ==

[[File:Snowman (developers of Alto's Adventure) team photo (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|Harry Nesbitt (left) and Snowman at [[Software:Game Developers Conference|GDC]] 2015]]

''Alto's Adventure'' was built in collaboration between Snowman, an [[Software:Independent video game development|indie development studio]] based in Toronto, and lead artist and programmer Harry Nesbitt, based in Devon, England,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.harrynesbitt.com/blog/the-making-of-altos-adventure/|title=The Making of Alto's Adventure|date=2015-04-03|website=Harry Nesbitt|language=en-US|access-date=2016-06-21}}</ref> a collaboration known as ''Team Alto''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.altosadventure.com/team/ |website=Alto's Adventure Team |title=Team Alto |access-date=30 June 2021}}</ref> Nesbitt has since gone on to found the studio ''Land & Sea'' to encompass a growing team of developers that continue to support the game and its sequel.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.landandsea.games |website=Land & Sea |title=Land & Sea |access-date=21 August 2023}}</ref>

The developers intended the game to "capture the flow and feeling of snowboarding" and the way "everything else sort of just disappears" when "in rhythm with the mountain", unlike other snowboarding games.<ref name="Polygon: Alto's"/> Team Alto also sought to address how other mobile games emphasize [[Engineering:Video game console|video game console]]-type elements with on-screen controls, which Snowman's co-founder Ryan Cash felt were largely not designed with the mobile platform in mind.<ref name="Polygon: Alto's"/>

[[File:Windosill screenshot 04.jpg|thumb|right|150px|''Alto's Adventure'' was inspired, in part, by ''Windosill'' ''(pictured)'']]

''Alto's Adventure'' was inspired by ''[[Software:Journey (2012 video game)|Journey]]'' (2012), ''Tony Hawk's Pro Skater&nbsp;2'' (2000), and ''[[Software:Windosill|Windosill]]'' (2009).<ref name="Polygon: Alto's"/> Snowman's co-founders, Ryan Cash and Jordan Rosenberg,<ref name="Verge: next"/> wanted to bring the essence of the ''Tony Hawk'' games of their youth into ''Alto's Adventure'', including "fun, positive goals" and an "[[Philosophy:Bushnell's Law|easy to learn, hard to master]]" trick system.<ref name="Polygon: Alto's"/> They avoided goals from other endless runners that they considered negative, uninteresting, or repetitive. As inspired by ''[[Software:Monument Valley (video game)|Monument Valley]]'' (2014), the developers chose to charge above average for the game as a trade-off for not including offsets like in-game advertisements or in-app purchases.<ref name="Polygon: Alto's"/> Team Alto has said any new content would be as an expansion along the lines of ''Monument Valley''{{'s}} "Forgotten Shores".<ref name="Verge: next"/> The game was released for [[Software:IOS|iOS]] on February 19, 2015.<ref name="Polygon: Alto's"/>

A port for [[Software:Android (operating system)|Android]] and [[Engineering:Kindle Fire|Kindle Fire]] was announced in September later that year.<ref>{{Cite web|title = iPhone hit Alto's Adventure is finally coming to Android|url = https://www.theverge.com/2015/9/1/9240397/altos-adventure-android-kindle-fire|website = The Verge|date = September 2015|access-date = 2016-02-04}}</ref> The app was released for those platforms on February 11, 2016. Team Alto collaborated with Noodlecake Studios to make the Android port.<ref name=":0" /> Additionally, unlike the iOS version, which is launched as a "premium app" (which requires the user to pay $2.99 to download), the Android version is free to download. In an interview with [[The Verge]], Ryan Cash of Snowman explained that their decision to make the Android ''Alto's'' ''Adventure'' free is due to iOS and Android being on a "completely different ecosystem", and mainly because of the bigger piracy issues on Android apps.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title = Why Alto's Adventure will be free on Android|url = https://www.theverge.com/2016/2/3/10871616/altos-adventure-android-free-release-date|website = The Verge|date = February 3, 2016|access-date = 2016-02-04}}</ref> Additionally, he said that those using the Android port will have the same experience as those playing ''Alto's'' in the iOS.<ref name=":1" />

[[File:Alto's Adventure logo.png|thumb|left|250px|Logo of the game as seen on promo trailer]]

On August 4, 2019, Team Alto announced that ''Alto's Adventure'', alongside its sequel ''[[Software:Alto's Odyssey|Alto's Odyssey]]'', would be released for [[Software:Microsoft Windows|Microsoft Windows]], [[Engineering:PlayStation 4|PlayStation 4]], and [[Engineering:Xbox One|Xbox One]] on August 13, 2020, as part of ''The Alto Collection''. A [[Engineering:Nintendo Switch|Nintendo Switch]] version was released on November 26, 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/4/21354583/alto-collection-ps4-switch-xbox-one-epic-games-store-announced|title=Indie darling Alto's Adventure and its sequel are finally coming to PS4, Xbox One and Switch|first=Taylor|last=Lyles|work=[[The Verge]]|date=August 4, 2020|access-date=August 21, 2020}}</ref>

On March 25, 2022, Team Alto released an expansion for Apple Arcade titled ''Alto's Adventure: Spirit Of The Mountain.'' This version included the base game, plus new goals, abilities, and a new character named Pitu.

== Reception ==

{{Video game reviews
| MC = 92/100<ref name=Metacritic/>
| Gamezebo = {{rating|5|5}}<ref name="GameZebo review"/>
| PG = 9/10<ref name="Pocket Gamer review"/>
| TA = {{rating|4.5|5}}<ref name="TouchArcade review"/>
}}

The game received "universal acclaim", according to video game review score aggregator Metacritic.<ref name=Metacritic/> Reviewers had high praise for its art style and aesthetics<ref name="TouchArcade review"/><ref name="Verge: next"/><ref name="GameZebo review"/> but criticized its gameplay as unoriginal.<ref name="TouchArcade review"/><ref name="Pocket Gamer review"/> ''Pocket Gamer'' awarded the game their Gold Award.<ref name="Pocket Gamer review"/>

''[[The Verge]]''{{'s}} Andrew Webster wrote that the game was a "supremely laid back" and "incredibly relaxing experience".<ref name="Verge: next"/> He wrote that this "next great iPad game" was already one of his mobile favorites, and is set apart from others by its "style" and "achingly beautiful" mountain landscape.<ref name="Verge: next"/> Webster found ''Alto's Adventure'' to be part art game and part "fun little time waster", and compared it to a combination of ''Sword & Sworcery'' and ''[[Software:Tiny Wings|Tiny Wings]]''.<ref name="Verge: next"/> ''TouchArcade''{{'s}} Jared Nelson likened its art style to ''Journey'' and its gameplay to ''Ski Safari''. While he did not find the game challenging, he enjoyed the "incredible" visuals: "tons of tiny details", like the character animations and changes in lighting and weather, contributed.<ref name="TA: now"/> Nelson also characterized ''TouchArcade'' readers' impressions as "highly positive".<ref name="TA: now"/>

[[File:Alto's Adventure animation - 01 Chasm.gif|thumb|left|250px|Reviewers were impressed by the game's atmosphere]]

Eric Ford, also of ''TouchArcade'', found the gameplay "basic" as well—"not much here that truly innovates within the genre"—but felt that the game was worth experiencing for its "excellent visual style and soundtrack".<ref name="TouchArcade review"/> He, too, compared the gameplay to ''Ski Safari'' and wrote that while the game's power-ups, quest objectives, currency, and score were "pretty standard", the trick system was praiseworthy and gave even easy tricks a sense of "accomplishment".<ref name="TouchArcade review"/> Ford was not enticed by the available upgrades and wrote that he played not for the upgrades but for the game's "whole look and feel" that was made to feel like more than a game with its  "awesome", "mellow", and "soothing" soundtrack.<ref name="TouchArcade review"/> Ford added that the game earned "its hype" from its "amazing art style and visual effects" rather than from its gameplay.<ref name="TouchArcade review"/> He was impressed with how much the dynamic weather changed the feel of the game even while the gameplay went unchanged. Ford predicted that players would respond to ''Alto's Adventure'' either in appreciation of its "sheer amount of artistic integrity and nuanced visuals," or in disappointment by its similarity to previous endless runners.<ref name="TouchArcade review"/>

Harry Slater of ''Pocket Gamer'' thought the game was "pretty special" and "among the best on the App Store".<ref name="Pocket Gamer review"/> He thought its "stunningly simple" gameplay to be a "compulsive and engaging experience" and "bloody good fun", though he found its core mechanics unoriginal.<ref name="Pocket Gamer review"/> Eli Cymet of ''GameZebo'' said he wanted to live in the game's world and praised its "total, uncompromising dedication to the atmosphere" and how every choice felt "made to preserve experiential authenticity."<ref name="GameZebo review"/>
{{Clear}}

==Sequel==
{{main|Software:Alto's Odyssey}}
A sequel, ''[[Software:Alto's Odyssey|Alto's Odyssey]]'', was released for iOS in February 2018 and Android in July 2018.<ref name=":2">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaZsrAi6iJg| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211115/PaZsrAi6iJg| archive-date=2021-11-15 | url-status=live|title=Alto's Odyssey Trailer – Launching February 22nd. Pre-order now!|author=Alto's Adventure|work=[[Company:YouTube|YouTube]]|date=12 February 2018|access-date=15 February 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref> It keeps the same gameplay as the original, this time set in a desert with three biomes.

== References ==

{{reflist|25em|refs=

<ref name="GameZebo review">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamezebo.com/2015/02/19/altos-adventure-review-imaginary-somewhere/ |access-date=April 16, 2015 |title=Alto's Adventure Review: Imaginary Somewhere |last1=Cymet |first1=Eli |date=February 19, 2015 |work=Gamezebo |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150425223730/http://www.gamezebo.com/2015/02/19/altos-adventure-review-imaginary-somewhere/ |archive-date=April 25, 2015 |url-status=live |df=mdy }}</ref>

<ref name=Metacritic>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/altos-adventure/critic-reviews/?platform=ios-iphoneipad |title=Alto's Adventure Critic Reviews for iPhone/iPad |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=April 16, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150416010101/http://www.metacritic.com/game/ios/altos-adventure/critic-reviews |archive-date=April 16, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Pocket Gamer review">{{cite web |url=http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/iPad/Ato%27s+Adventure/review.asp?c=64003 |access-date=April 16, 2015 |work=Pocket Gamer |publisher=Steel Media |title=Alto's Adventure review |last=Slater |first=Harry |date=February 20, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150408122239/http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/iPad/Ato%27s+Adventure/review.asp?c=64003 |archive-date=April 8, 2015 |url-status=live |df=mdy }}</ref>

<ref name="Polygon: Alto's">{{cite web |url=http://www.polygon.com/2015/2/11/8021781/altos-adventure-ios-snowboarding |access-date=March 8, 2015 |title=Get ready to feel some snowboarding emotions with Alto's Adventure |last=McWhertor |first=Michael |date=February 11, 2015 |work=Polygon |publisher=[[Company:Vox Media|Vox Media]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150306145418/http://www.polygon.com/2015/2/11/8021781/altos-adventure-ios-snowboarding |archive-date=March 6, 2015 |url-status=live |df=mdy }}</ref>

<ref name="TA: now">{{cite web|url=http://toucharcade.com/2015/02/19/altos-adventure-now-available/ |access-date=April 16, 2015 |title=Ultra-Stylish Endless Side-Scroller 'Alto's Adventure' Now Available |last1=Nelson |first1=Jared |date=February 19, 2015 |work=TouchArcade |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150417101601/http://toucharcade.com/2015/02/19/altos-adventure-now-available/ |archive-date=April 17, 2015 |url-status=live |df=mdy }}</ref>

<ref name="TouchArcade review">{{cite web|url=https://toucharcade.com/2015/02/20/altos-adventure-review/ |title='Alto's Adventure' Review – Winter Wonderland |last=Ford |first=Eric |website=TouchArcade |date=February 20, 2015 |access-date=June 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171001042344/https://toucharcade.com/2015/02/20/altos-adventure-review/ |archive-date=October 1, 2017 |url-status=live |df=mdy }}</ref>

<ref name="Verge: next">{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/2/19/8064545/altos-adventure-iphone-ipad-snowboarding-game |access-date=April 16, 2015 |title=The next great iPad game is a chill snowboarding adventure |last1=Webster |first1=Andrew |date=February 19, 2015 |work=[[The Verge]] |publisher=[[Company:Vox Media|Vox Media]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150418042639/http://www.theverge.com/2015/2/19/8064545/altos-adventure-iphone-ipad-snowboarding-game |archive-date=April 18, 2015 |url-status=live |df=mdy }}</ref>

}}

== External links ==



[[Category:IOS games]]
[[Category:Android (operating system) games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Windows games]]

{{Sourceattribution|Alto's Adventure}}