Affordable Space Adventures

Last updated
Affordable Space Adventures
Affordable Space Adventures logo.png
Developer(s) NapNok Games
Nifflas' Games
Publisher(s) NapNok Games
Engine Unity
Platform(s) Wii U
ReleaseApril 9, 2015
Genre(s) Puzzle, adventure
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer

Affordable Space Adventures is a puzzle adventure game developed and published by NapNok Games in collaboration with Nifflas' Games. The game was released for the Wii U via the Nintendo eShop download service on April 9, 2015. The game's main gameplay feature is its unique use of the Wii U GamePad to control a spaceship by using the controls shown on the touch-screen including two different engines and other controls.

Contents

Plot

In Affordable Space Adventures, the player takes on the role of a customer who has purchased an "Affordable Space Adventure" from the company UExplore. The game begins with a video that describes a newly discovered planet ready to be explored by the company's customers, even promising to allow them to take ownership of and colonize their own individual piece of the planet. It introduces the customer to the Small Craft, their own personal vehicle with which they will explore the planet's surface, and describes the process by which the customer is to be placed on and retrieved from the planet. All along the way, UExplore extols the virtues of its perfect safety record - more specifically that they have had no "recorded" accidents in two decades.

An unexplained incident occurs between the end of the video and the start of the game, where the player awakens to discover that the mother ship has crashed into a hostile extraterrestrial environment, leaving the player no choice but to explore their environment. Along the way, the Small Craft slowly repairs its systems, bringing new functionality online at key points. The player is also informed of alien "artifacts" that they must avoid disturbing at all costs, under penalty of fines. The player searches for a functional distress beacon that will allow them to request emergency extraction. However, the beacons that the player finds are damaged or otherwise non-functional, forcing further exploration.

As the game proceeds, more promotional videos emerge from UExplore talking about how safe their program is - so much so, in fact, that the company's safety director was given an extended vacation.

The player eventually comes upon an alien installation that has the ability to alter reality in short bursts. The Small Craft penetrates this installation's defenses and causes a massive explosion, resulting in the ship being sent back to the surface, heavily damaged. The player sets off again in search of another beacon. The Small Craft begins to fall apart, system after system failing and shutting down until only the most basic systems are left online. The player finally discovers a working beacon in the middle of a harsh blizzard that, despite generating maximum heat, threatens to freeze the Small Craft solid. After filling out a casual survey form, the beacon puts the player in stasis to await extraction. In a short scene after the credits, the player's survey form (including their Miiverse drawing if provided) emerges from an interstellar fax machine in the long-unoccupied office of UExplore's safety director, ending up on the floor with numerous other calls for help.

Gameplay

The goal of Affordable Space Adventures is to explore the environment of Spectaculon and find a means to request evacuation from the planet. The player controls the Small Craft, a small flying ship that can move around in two dimensions and interact with its environment in limited ways. A variety of systems are available to the player by pressing buttons on the gamepad and its touch screen, including a flashlight and scanner, two different engines, a mass generator, an anti-gravity device, several landing gears, etc. The gamepad thus functions as the Small Craft's control panel, both allowing the player to control the ship and tweak its systems, and conveying important information about the environment and the ship's functions.

The game is broken up into a series of levels consisting of puzzles of increasing complexity. Some puzzles require the player to open doors by pressing buttons hidden among the environment, while others are only passable by blocking lasers with objects found in the environment, or by sneaking past alien artifacts that will attack the Small Craft if it generates too much noise, heat or electrical radiation (a set of output meters indicate what each artifact's thresholds are after they are scanned).

Up to two additional players may join the game at the beginning using Wii Remotes or Wii Classic Controllers, taking over movement and scanning functions. The game also features two difficulty levels, Tourist and Technical, and a separate DLC pack, the Origin Story, consists of much harder levels.

Origin Story DLC

In November 12 KnapNok Games released a free update for the game which fixed several bugs in the game as well as added five new levels in a separate mode named "Origin Story". [1] The new levels were meant for experienced players who have already finished the game and were looking for a new challenge, though once the update has been installed, players can choose to play those new levels anytime.

Reception

Upon launch, the game received generally positive reviews, with most media outlets calling out the integration of the Wii U's unique features. Patrick Hancock of Destructoid mentioned that "GamePad and Miiverse integration are perfect, and I'm not sure that sentence has been made before" [8] and Thomas Whitehead of Nintendo Life claiming it to be "one of the eShop's top-tier games". [9] Another aspect that got the attention of the media was the optional co-op multiplayer mode, which Andy Robertson of Forbes compared to live action Star Trek . [10]

Affordable Space Adventures received several awards. Prior to launch, the game already received the "Best of PAX East 2015" award by Destructoid, [11] and continued to receive subsequent awards after the game's launch. At the Danish SpilPrisen Awards in 2016, granted by the Danish Film Institute, the game received awards for "Game of the Year", "Best Technical Achievement" and "Best Game Design", [12] while at the Nordic Game Awards 2016 the game won the "Best Game Design" award. [13]

Related Research Articles

Star Fox is an arcade style rail shooter, space flight simulator, and third person action-adventure video game series created by Shigeru Miyamoto, produced and published by Nintendo. The games follow the Star Fox combat team of anthropomorphic animals, led by chief protagonist Fox McCloud. Gameplay involves many adventures around the Lylat planetary system in the futuristic Arwing fighter aircraft, in other vehicles, and on foot. The original Star Fox (1993) is a forward-scrolling 3D rail shooter, but later games add more directional freedom.

<i>Metroid Prime 2: Echoes</i> 2004 video game

Metroid Prime 2: Echoes is a 2004 adventure game developed by Retro Studios and published by Nintendo for the GameCube. The sequel to Metroid Prime (2002) and the first Metroid game with a multiplayer feature, Echoes was released in North America, Europe and Australia in 2004 and in Japan under the name Metroid Prime 2: Dark Echoes in May 2005.

<i>Metroid Prime 3: Corruption</i> 2007 video game

Metroid Prime 3: Corruption is a 2007 action-adventure game developed by Retro Studios and published by Nintendo for the Wii. The seventh main installment in the Metroid series, it was released in North America and Europe in 2007 and in Japan the following year.

<i>Spore Creatures</i> 2008 video game

Spore Creatures is a 2008 science fiction adventure game developed by Griptonite Games and published by Electronic Arts. The game is a spin-off of Spore in which a player controls and evolves a creature of their creation to save another creature from the clutches of an alien who plans on dominating the galaxy.

<i>Sin & Punishment: Star Successor</i> 2009 video game

Sin & Punishment: Star Successor, released in Europe as Sin and Punishment: Successor of the Skies, and in Japan as Sin and Punishment: Sora no Kōkeisha is a 2009 rail shooter video game for Wii developed by Treasure and published by Nintendo. It is the sequel to the Nintendo 64 video game Sin and Punishment.

<i>Skylanders: Spyros Adventure</i> 2011 video game

Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure is a 3D action-adventure platform game and the first video game in the Skylanders series. It is played using with toy figures that interact with it through a "Portal of Power" that reads their tag through NFC.

<i>Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS</i> and <i>Wii U</i> Pair of 2014 video games

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, both commonly referred to together as Super Smash Bros. 4, are 2014 crossover platform fighter video games developed by Bandai Namco Studios and Sora Ltd. and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U video game consoles. It is the fourth installment in the Super Smash Bros. series, succeeding Super Smash Bros. Brawl. The Nintendo 3DS version was released in Japan on September 13, 2014, and in North America, Europe, and Australia the following month. The Wii U version was released in North America, Europe, and Australia in November 2014 and in Japan the following month.

The Nintendo Network was an online service formerly ran by Nintendo that provided free online functionality for the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U systems and their compatible games. Announced on January 26, 2012, at an investors' conference, it was Nintendo's second online service after Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. Former president of Nintendo Satoru Iwata said, "Unlike Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, which has been focused upon specific functionalities and concepts, we are aiming to establish a platform where various services available through the network for our consumers shall be connected via Nintendo Network service so that the company can make comprehensive proposals to consumers."

<i>Rayman Legends</i> 2013 video game

Rayman Legends is a platform video game developed by Ubisoft Montpellier and published by Ubisoft. It is the fifth main title in the Rayman series and the direct sequel to the 2011 game Rayman Origins. The game was released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii U, and PlayStation Vita platforms in August and September 2013. PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions were released in February 2014, with a Stadia version released in November 2021. A Nintendo Switch port, titled Rayman Legends Definitive Edition, was released in North America, Europe and Australia on September 12, 2017.

<i>Bayonetta 2</i> 2014 video game

Bayonetta 2 is a 2014 action-adventure hack and slash video game developed by PlatinumGames and published by Nintendo. It is the sequel to the 2009 game Bayonetta, and was directed by Yusuke Hashimoto and produced by Atsushi Inaba, Akiko Kuroda, and Hitoshi Yamagami, under supervision by series creator Hideki Kamiya.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wii U system software</span> Operating system for Nintendos Wii U home video game console

The Wii U operating system also known internally as Cafe OS is the official firmware version and system software for the Nintendo's Wii U home video game console. Nintendo maintains the Wii U's systemwide features and applications by offering system software updates via the Internet. Updates are optional to each console owner, but may be required in order to retain interoperability with Nintendo's online services. Each update is cumulative, including all changes from previous updates.

<i>Sonic Lost World</i> 2013 video game by Sega

Sonic Lost World is a 2013 platform game developed by Sonic Team. It is part of the Sonic the Hedgehog series, and was released in October 2013 for the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS in PAL regions by Nintendo and by Sega in North America and Japan. A port of the Wii U version for Windows was later released in November 2015.

<i>Freedom Planet</i> 2014 video game

Freedom Planet is a 2014 platform game developed and published by American video game designer Sabrina DiDuro, for her studio GalaxyTrail. The player controls one of three anthropomorphic animal protagonists: the dragon girl Lilac, the wildcat Carol, or the basset hound Milla. Aided by a duck-like alien named Torque, the girls attempt to defeat the evil Lord Brevon, who plans to steal the Kingdom Stone and conquer the galaxy. While the game focuses on fast-paced platforming, its levels are interspersed with slower action scenes.

<i>Kirby and the Rainbow Curse</i> 2015 video game

Kirby and the Rainbow Curse, known in PAL regions as Kirby and the Rainbow Paintbrush, is a platforming video game in the Kirby series, developed by HAL Laboratory and published by Nintendo for Wii U. The title, which is a follow-up game of the 2005 Nintendo DS title Kirby: Canvas Curse, was released by Nintendo on January 22, 2015, in Japan, February 20, 2015, in North America, May 8, 2015, in Europe, and May 9, 2015, in Australia. The game supports the Kirby, Meta Knight, and King Dedede Amiibo.

<i>Yoshis Woolly World</i> 2015 platform video game

Yoshi's Woolly World is a 2015 platform game developed by Good-Feel and published by Nintendo for the Wii U. The game is the seventh main entry in the Yoshi series of games, the first home console title in the series since 1997's Yoshi's Story, as well as the spiritual successor to 2010's Kirby's Epic Yarn. The game was released worldwide throughout 2015. A port for the Nintendo 3DS, known as Poochy & Yoshi's Woolly World, was released worldwide in early 2017. Both versions received generally favorable reviews, with reviewers praising the art style, gameplay, and innovation, but critiquing the easy difficulty.

<i>Star Fox Zero</i> 2016 video game

Star Fox Zero is a 2016 rail shooter game developed by Nintendo and PlatinumGames for the Wii U. It is the sixth installment in the Star Fox series. Formally announced at E3 2015, the game was released in April 2016 to mixed critical reception, with the most polarizing aspect of the game being its control scheme. A standalone tower defense game, titled Star Fox Guard, was bundled with the game.

<i>Stealth Inc 2: A Game of Clones</i> 2014 video game

Stealth Inc 2: A Game of Clones is a 2D puzzle platform video game which was developed and published by Curve Digital. The game is a sequel to Stealth Bastard Deluxe, featuring different mechanics which involve puzzle sections. The game was released for the Wii U on October 23, 2014. The PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Xbox One and Microsoft Windows versions of the game were also released in April 2015.

<i>Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars</i> 2015 video game

Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars is a 2015 puzzle-platform game developed by Nintendo Software Technology and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U. It is the sixth game in the Mario vs. Donkey Kong series and the 200th video game featuring Mario. The game was released worldwide in March 2015 on the Nintendo eShop for all regions, and received a physical release in Japan. This is the first Nintendo-published title to support a cross-purchase concept; if players buy one version, they receive a free download code for the other version. The 3DS version is also the first Nintendo 3DS title to support Miiverse stamps.

<i>Soul Axiom</i> 2016 video game

Soul Axiom is a first-person adventure-puzzle video game developed and published by Wales Interactive. The game is set inside a "Digital Soul Provider" called Elysia, and combines exploration with puzzle solving elements to unlock the mystery of your character's digital afterlife. It follows a similar visual style from its predecessor, Master Reboot, and while it is not a direct sequel, it is set in the same world but with new characters, a new story and new set of game mechanics. The game was released on February 29, 2016. PlayStation 4 and Xbox One ports were released in June 2016. The Wii U version launched on September 29, 2016. The game was released on February 27, 2020, for Nintendo Switch as Soul Axiom Rebooted.

<i>Cooking Mama</i> Japanese video game series

Cooking Mama is a video game series and media franchise owned by Cooking Mama Limited. The series is a cookery simulation-styled minigame compilation of many video games and adventures for Nintendo gaming platforms. Generally, the gameplay revolves around performing different kitchen tasks, through the instructions of "Mama", to cook various meals. The series so far consists of five main games on Nintendo DS and Nintendo 3DS, two spin-offs on Wii and DS each, as well as a spin off on 3DS. It is also a spin-off to the Gardening Mama series. The original Cooking Mama video game was also ported to iOS. A sixth main series game, Cooking Mama: Cookstar, was released for the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 in 2021.

References

  1. ↑ "Free Origin Story and 'Remaster' Update Coming to Affordable Space Adventures". Nintendo Life. 2015-11-09. Retrieved 2016-06-09.
  2. ↑ "Affordable Space Adventures Reviews". Metacritic . Retrieved 2015-08-19.
  3. ↑ Hancock, Patrick (2015-04-04). ""Affordable Space Adventures" Review". Destructoid. Retrieved 2015-08-19.
  4. ↑ Hilliard, Kyle (2015-04-08). "Interstellar Micromanagement - Affordable Space Adventures". GI. Archived from the original on April 9, 2015. Retrieved 2015-08-19.
  5. ↑ Venter, Jason (2015-04-21). ""Affordable Space Adventures" Review". GSpot. Retrieved 2015-08-19.
  6. ↑ Rodriguez, Jose A. (2015-04-14). "Affordable Space Adventures - Analisis". IGN. Retrieved 2016-06-09.
  7. ↑ Whitehead, Thomas (2015-04-06). "Affordable Space Adventures Review". NLife. Retrieved 2015-04-06.
  8. ↑ Hancock, Patrick. "Review: Affordable Space Adventures". Destructoid.
  9. ↑ Whitehead, Thomas (6 April 2015). "Review: Affordable Space Adventures (Wii U eShop)". Nintendo Life.
  10. ↑ Robertson, Andy. "'Affordable Space Adventures' Is Live-Action 'Star Trek'". Forbes.
  11. ↑ "Here are Destructoid's Top 10 games from PAX East 2015". Destructoid. 14 March 2015. Retrieved 2016-06-09.
  12. ↑ "Vinderne af Spilprisen 2016". www.dfi.dk. Retrieved 2016-06-09.
  13. ↑ "Nordic Game Awards • Nordic Game 2016". Nordic Game 2017. 2015-05-05. Retrieved 2016-06-09.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.