Metroidvania Fans Rejoice – Alice Escaped Brings a Vast Mysterious World to Explore

For experienced gamers, few rushs compare to unlocking a new ability that lets you access a previously unreachable segment of the map. Finding a complex hidden passage that takes you to an epic showdown after hours of thoughtful traversal and combat. The metroidvania genre delivers these joys and more through interconnected worlds that reward thorough exploration. And the upcoming release Alice Escaped looks primed to join the pantheon of exemplary titles that long-time fans cherish.

This article will provide an in-depth preview of Alice Escaped and how it aims to thrill Nintendo Switch and PC gamers who crave another quality metroidvania filled with secrets to uncover across vivid locales. We’ll analyze the story, gameplay systems, visual presentation, development team pedigree, and potential for longevity. Strap in as we venture down this rabbit hole together!

Overview – A Fresh Twist on Alice in Wonderland

Before examining specifics, let‘s briefly summarize the key need-to-know details on Alice Escaped:

• Genre – 2D side-scrolling metroidvania
• Story – A dark take on Alice in Wonderland with protagonists Usada and Kotora traversing dangerous worlds to rescue Alice
• Release Date – August 24, 2023 (Switch, PC soon after)
• Features – Tag team combat system, upgradable abilities, non-linear exploration, multiple endings

This modern metroidvania title has all the hallmarks fans love while putting its own spin with features like the two-character battle mechanics. Next we‘ll uncover more on the enduring appeal of the genre Alice Escaped builds upon.

The Timeless Joy of Metroidvania Games

Metroidvania titles have surged back into the spotlight as beloved indie developers deliver instant classics like Hollow Knight, Ori and the Blind Forest, and many more. But what exactly defines the genre and creates such a passionate fanbase?

Exploring Interconnected Worlds

The core distinguishing element is an expansive, contiguous map or world featuring all types of terrain and structures. typical metroidvania world may contain:

• Overworld areas with traversal challenges
• Intricate underground cave systems
• Flooded ruins
• Labyrinth fortresses
• Haunted woodlands
• Lava-filled underworlds

As you navigate the world, certain paths forward become blocked until you gain specific movement abilities. This leads to the signature metroidvania loop of exploring as far as you can, finding useful power-ups, then returning to previously inaccessible areas with your upgraded arsenal.

Let‘s examine some examples of how abilities open exploration in classic games:

• Super Metroid – The Morph Ball lets Samus curl into a ball to squeeze through small tunnels.
• Castlevania: Symphony of the Night – Transforming into a bat provides access vertical shafts.
• Hollow Knight – The Mantis Claw grappling hook allows ledge grabbing to reach higher platforms.

This addicting traversal enancement powers the games‘ wonderful sense of accomplishment.

Combat, Quests and Lore

While platforming and exploration are central pillars, combat plays a major role complementing the world design. Enemies grow tougher the further you venture from a starting "safe zone" area, testing your battle skills.

Landing hits, blocks, and dodges often provides supplies that can be used to upgrade weapons and stats. Side quests from friendly NPCs offer rewards for helping them out with tasks or retrieving items. Gradually you become more formidable through leveling up core attributes like:

• Strength
• Defense
• Speed
• Magic abilities

Lore and story in metroidvanias tends to be light, but impactful world building drives the desire to reveal more secrets. Short NPC dialogues or journal excerpts provide tidbits on regional history tied to past events or cultures. Uncovering these narrative breadcrumbs by thoroughly scouring environments remains captivating.

Now let‘s see how Alice Escaped stacks up incorporating these elements!

A Star-Studded Pedigree with Fresh Ideas

While still an indie production, Alice Escaped enjoys talent with proven metroidvania chops behind the scenes.

Sekai Project published prior breakouts like classic throwback Rabi-Ribi. illuCalab developers delivered the well-received La Mulana franchise. Artists PicPic and Gram illustrate vibrant worlds.

Based on preview footage and screenshots, Alice Escaped appears to blend classic tropes with innovative features:

• Familiar power-up paradigm opening new terrain
• Precise combat platforming demanding skill
• An original dual-character tag team system
• Multiple endings encouraging replays
• Vibrant, twisted Wonderland-based worlds

Rather than rehashing gameplay systems, it seeks to contribute unique elements like the playable duo to an iconic formula. Now let‘s explore these characters and their capabilities!

Dual Character Combat Raises the Bar

Alice Escaped’s marquee feature comes through letting you switch between protagonists Usada and Kotora. This creates fresh strategic opportunities compared to controlling a single hero.

Shot Callers – Meet the Playable Duo

Usada seems suited for close quarters mayhem with her oversized hammer putting foes on notice. Kotora alternates between a submachine gun for pressure and bombs capable of huge area damage.

Fighting game veterans will feel right at home “tagging in” the ally with the best tools for each situation. Need flighty enemies kept in check? Call Kotora. Large shielded enemies weak to raw force? Usada smashes through.

This tag team system should add plenty of diversity to the core combat. But it powers up even more once you unlock combo abilities!

Building the Power Gauge Through Combos

Vanquishing multiple adversaries in quick succession fills your power meter. Once maxed out, immensely destructive tandem assaults become available.

For instance, Kotora may lay down suppressive fire allowing Usada to obliterate whole groups with her hammer super move. Alternately, staggering groups with bombs sets up Usada’s hammer to squash them against walls.

The combo bounties encourage aggressively stylish offense rather than cautious play. Top players will craft signature juggle sequences chaining assists back and forth. Finding the most potent pairings provides great replay value after completing the story.

Now let‘s examine how character growth further enables dominating the world of Alice Escaped!

Non-Linear Progression Powers Character Growth

Like all great metroidvanias, players uncover the map and grow stronger through acquired upgrades. Defeating enemies and bosses reward you with crystals for spending on new combat abilities and buffs. Let‘s breakdown sources players can leverage to access new areas and defeat challenges blocking their path.

Navigating the Nexus

The central starting safe zone houses vendors and services. Here you can purchase weapons, armor, health/magic upgrades and more using currencies collected on runs. While items gotten from exploration open new territory, focusing time grinding gold here nets permanent growth.

• Weapons – Expand your attack options with swords, bows, magic staves beyond default gun and hammer
• Armor – Heavier sets allow safer deep delves. Trade defense for mobility with lighter pieces.
• Tools – Increase consumable carrying capacity, gain feats like double jump or air dash to access special treasure rooms.

Regardless of playstyle preference, everyone can tailor growth through the Nexus. Those averse to combat can mostly purchase what they need to enable proceeding. Now let‘s examine the secret sauce adhesive that binds ambitious metroidvanias together – the gear acquired by braving the world itself!

Crystals – Hidden Upgrade Currency Scattered Across the World

Defeating especially difficult enemies or discovering concealed rooms unleashes crystals. These rare resources power up combat abilities along special skill trees. Building these trees unlock combo attacks and passive buffs described earlier.

Some especially useful examples include:

• Boulder Breaker – Usada shatters large obstacles opening shortcuts. Critical against certain armored foes.
• Multi-Lock – Kotora unleashes a salvo locking on to several targets simultaneously. Great crowd control and boss dps.
• Second Wind – Recover health upon scoring kills during frantic exchanges.

With so much power tied to combing the depths, the incentive stays high to explore every nook and cranny thoroughly!

Let‘s shift gears to the visual spectacle that should awaits us…

Alice Escaped enters a competitive field – but brings fresh ideas

Art And Music Set The Tone

Metroidvania environments must achieve an delicate balance welcoming exploration while threatening danger. They pull players through archaeologically rich ruins, fungi filled grottos and glacial precipices with visual splendor and matched musical motifs.

Based on released footage, Alice Escaped’s vibrant, twisted Wonderland delivers on these fronts…

Music and Imagery Reinforcing Themes

Somber piano melodies channel a sense of mystery traversing the Nexus safe zone. Flourishes of strings enter as you unlock new upgrades bestowing power. Hints of playful wind instruments beckon curiosity to venture through shimmering cavern entrances.

These subtle auditory cues fade appropriately to emphasize isolation in sprawling underground complexes. Frenzied bass guitars kick in activating power combos during frantic battles. Familiar orchestral score elements help cement tropes while unique flavors keep things fresh.

Complementing the soundscape, environments appearing lovingly hand drawn using multiple parallax layers. Kotora and Usada’s fluid running and combat animations breathe life and energy into each new biome. Characters bend and compress exaggeratedly when struck to increase feedback.

Vibrant particle effects like multicolored voxel bricks burst from enemies and objects when destroyed. The playful childlike art direction mirrors the narrative’s Alice in Wonderland underpinnings – albeit with ominous twists warp the cheerful expectations.

Breathing Life Into Familiar Environments

Let‘s overview examples of expected locales given new flavor based on teasers:

• Glittering Caverns – Crystalline walls refract blinding prismatic light in every direction obscuring sight lines.
• Sunken Libraries – Rays dance through cracks in the ceilings revealing ancient runes as you manipulate mirrors redirecting the beams.
• Clock Towers – Shifting walls and platforms overflowing with gears studies in steampunk.
• Fungus Forests – Bio-luminescent blooms simulate a starry night sky in dense jungles.

Alice Escaped’s visual and sound diversity should provide an impactful backdrop for the equally varied combat and exploration. But pretty graphics alone don’t guarantee engrossing games. Let’s examine how replay value and depth set metroidvanias apart from standard action platformers…

Built To Stand The Test Of Time

After an emotional initial playthrough metroidvania fans crave reasons to return – uncovering more of those tantalizing secrets teased on initial runs. The best entries reward subsequent runs in multiple ways. Let‘s analyze design elements that ensure Alice Escaped belongs in long term gaming rotation…

Multiple Endings Incentivizing Experimentation

Central to the narrative sits choices determining which conclusion you‘ll experience. Seeing them all naturally demands replaying while adjusting decisions at key moments. This system provides great incentive for additional runs once you master gameplay systems againstefault difficulty modes.

Will Usada rescue Alice safely? Or fall into deeper peril themselves? Guiding the protagonists requires thoughtfully piecing together lore and patterns from sometimes unreliable characters encountered.

These decision points stand poised to deliver that signature emotional resonance metroidvania adventures are revered for.

New Game+ For The True Completionists

Once all endings roll credits, New Game+ modes await the most dedicated devotees. Continuing growth by retaining existing gear should enable near broken ability combinations delighting power gamers. Discover how exponentially quick Kotora‘s bombs shred through early bosses previously posing problems!

Further increasing challenge, sprawling underground nightmare realms unlock featuring completely original environment assets and enemy types compared to the main campaign. Surviving these hellscapes may allow salvaging otherworldly equipment with unique traits to customize builds around.

From glimpses so far, Alice Escaped appears extremely robust catering to fans desiring just the story once or gunning for 100% map completion. The combo combat system also seems primed for dominating leaderboards if the devs add them post-launch!

Wrap Up – Everything To Gain Venturing Down This Rabbit Hole

Gamers yearning for the childlike joy exploring new frontiers inch-by-inch should find bliss with Alice Escaped. Alongside precise combat, imaginative visuals, and plenty of secrets – the fresh two-character dynamic provides a compelling gameplay hook.

As studios like Nintendo themselves struggle recapturing the magic pioneering Switch-centric entries like Metroid Dread, the indie scene continues pushing the genre forward. Alice Escaped stands poised to proudly represent when it emerges August 2023.

See you again at the bottom of this enticing new Wonderland! Which features intrigue you most? Let me know in the comments below!

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Will A First Playthrough Last?

Developer estimates suggest initial story completion takes approximately 15 hours for most gamers. Completionists aiming to 5-star every level, collect all upgrades, and master combos should expect at least 30 hours on first profiles.

Does Alice Escaped Support Local/Online Multiplayer?

Unfortunately direct multiplayer does not seem included at launch based on current public details. However, community leaderboards allow players to indirectly compete asynchronously through combat scores and race times.

What Post-Launch Content Plans Exist?

The developers have stated their intent to release new characters, abilities, levels and cosmetic skins regularly assuming fan reception meets targets. These content drops help support ongoing costs while providing fresh adventures for dedicated players.