The Alto Collection Review
Amidst a sea of multiplayer shooters, blockbuster action games and more, it felt refreshing to jump into The Alto Collection on Playstation 4. The Alto Collection combines the replayability of an endless runner with the meditative aspects of artsy exploration gameplay. You play as a variety of characters as you slide down massive mountains and sand dunes on your snowboard. Each character offers unique abilities including speed, strength or trick boosts that change how you can approach each run. This gameplay loop is kept interesting as each run is procedurally generated and is completely different each time. On top of the constantly changing levels, The Alto Collection utilizes a leveling system with xp that is earned by completing challenges. These range from silly (catching 25 llamas) to Tony Hawk inspired (land a backflip off of a grind). Each challenge offers a new and engaging way to explore the world of Alto’s Adventure and Odyssey.
The second title in the collection, Alto’s Odyssey, expands upon the snowboarding formula by adding wall riding to change things up. Players must ride their board from wall to wall to jump over chasms and avoid falling to their death. This gameplay mechanic added a level of platforming challenge that the first game was missing. I found wall riding to be challenging at first, but satisfying once I mastered the technique and timing. Alto Odyssey has taken the fun gameplay loop of the original and fleshed out the transversal mechanics in a meaningful way.
The art style of The Alto Collection is charming while also maintaining minimalism. The mountains and sand dunes create beautiful landscapes for you to explore. Additionally the lighting in the game is stunning as the sky transitions from day to night with looming shades of orange and pink fading into a dark sky where your run is lit only by the moon. Little touches in the game’s art direction are particularly impressive as the levels are procedurally generated. Each run feels visually unique, and it makes gaining speed down a drop or soaring in the clouds feel that much more special. It is equally fun to see how the lighting and visual style are utilized in a dessert setting in Alto’s Odyssey.
In addition to its meditative gameplay, the Alto Collection also has wonderful music that keeps the player engaged within a state of blissful zen. The music represents the kind of feeling that you experience when gazing out into a beautiful view in nature and wonder what is beyond the mountain, hill or structure in the distance. The music also enhances the gameplay experience because the music builds as you gain speed and progress through the level. If you are someone who seeks out music to help you relax, remember to breathe and enjoy your surroundings, the Alto Collection would be a great game for you.
If you are looking for a relaxing palette cleanser from bigger titles and need something to relax, please check out The Alto Collection. The amount of replayability within this title makes it one to keep going back to as you unlock new challenges, items and characters with unique abilities.
The Alto Collection is available now on Playstation 4, Xbox One and PC via the Epic Games Store. A Nintendo Switch version of the game is coming soon. Additional disclaimer: LukeWarmGames was provided a code for Alto Collection by Snowman for review purposes.
