Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure
Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure | |
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Single-player |
Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure is a
Gameplay
While the game is an action-platformer on the top screen, once enemies are defeated by Hatsworth, they are sent to the bottom screen as puzzle blocks.[1] The puzzle game on the bottom screen plays much like Nintendo's Puzzle League, as blocks need to be linked in a chain of three or more of the same color to be cleared, and any blocks resting on top of the cleared ones will fall into their place, potentially leading to a chain reaction of blocks being cleared if they fall into place and end up touching more of the same colors.
As the blocks on the puzzle screen rise, the enemy blocks that touch the upper edge of the screen are revived and can attack Hatsworth again on the top screen. Using the money earned by defeating enemies or collecting treasure, the player can return to Hatsworth's assistant's shop periodically to buy various upgrades.
Plot
Story
Henry Hatsworth, the game's protagonist, is on a mission to find the lost pieces of the Gentleman's Suit, a suit of
Worlds
Mysteria - a swampy jungle that gives way to a graveyard.
Skysland - a combination of floating islands, temple ruins and airships.
Atlantia - an ocean with volcanoes and an underwater city.
Puzzle Realm - the land unsealed by the Golden Suit; filled with treasures and monsters.
Tealand - an old-London style city.
Development
The concept for Henry Hatsworth started as a prototype in Adobe Flash and was initially called Monkey Business. In a 2009 interview at Nintendo Life with Kyle Gray, where Kyle was asked if it was difficult to get Henry Hatsworth made at EA, Kyle had this to say. "Surprisingly, it wasn’t too bad! I initially pitched the swell gents at Tiburon with a project idea which basically involved me doing some crazy stuff in Flash on my own. Luckily, they totally approved it, so I started making little DS game prototypes– which gradually led to the Monkey Business prototype, which ultimately became Hatsworth."[3]
Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure was created by Kyle Gray, who founded the
The art of the game was envisioned by art director Jay Epperson, using a mix of wood grain and paper-cut themes.[4]
Soundtrack
The original soundtrack of the game, composed by Gene Rozenberg, was released by EA Games for free download on its website. It has since been removed after EA's redesign of the game's website.[5]
Reception
Aggregator | Score |
---|---|
Metacritic | 82 out of 100[6] |
Publication | Score |
---|---|
Destructoid | 9 out of 10[7] |
Edge | 8 out of 10[8] |
Eurogamer | 7 out of 10[9] |
Game Informer | 7 out of 10[10] |
GamePro | [11] |
GameRevolution | B+[12] |
GameSpot | 8.5 out of 10[13] |
GameTrailers | 9.1 out of 10[14] |
IGN | 9 out of 10[15] |
Nintendo Power | 8 out of 10[16] |
The A.V. Club | B+[17] |
Wired | [18] |
Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure received "favorable" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[6]
IGN's Mark Bozon commented that the game was "completely old school in design and execution", featuring "pop-up brawling, a wall jump that feels like Mega Man X, Mario-like platforming, and a great blend with the puzzle aspects". He commended the game's "beautiful" art style, but criticized the game for technical issues, and called the gameplay "unforgiving at times".[15] GameSpot's Tom McShea also called both platforming and puzzle aspects "first-class" and "an absolute blast", with "tight controls and varied environments" as well as "fast and frantic" puzzle gameplay, but was frustrated by "the high difficulty in the later stages".[13]
During the 13th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences nominated Henry Hatsworth for "Outstanding Achievement in Portable Game Design".[19]. It was also nominated for both Genre Award and Platform Award in GameSpot's Best of 2009.[20][21]
References
- ^ a b c d e VanOrd, Kevin (August 14, 2008). "Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure Hands-On". GameSpot. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
- ^ a b c d Casamassina, Matt (January 29, 2009). "Tea Time with Henry Hatsworth". IGN. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
- Nintendo Life. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
- ^ Boyer, Brandon (April 21, 2009). "Concept Album: Evil Ben Franklin and the art of Henry Hatsworth". Offworld. Archived from the original on April 24, 2009. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
- ^ Fletcher, JC (December 18, 2008). "Henry Hatsworth in the Listening Adventure". Engadget (Joystiq). Retrieved May 27, 2016.
- ^ a b "Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure for DS Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
- ^ Chester, Nick (March 18, 2009). "Destructoid review: Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure". Destructoid. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
- ^ Edge staff (April 2009). "Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure". Edge. No. 200. p. 125.
- ^ Gibson, Ellie (March 13, 2009). "Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure". Eurogamer. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
- ^ Vore, Bryan (April 2009). "Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure: A Trying Test of Skills". Game Informer. No. 192. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
- ^ Balistrieri, Emily (March 17, 2009). "Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure". GamePro. Archived from the original on March 21, 2009. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
- Game Revolution. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
- ^ a b McShea, Tom (March 26, 2009). "Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure Review". GameSpot. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
- ^ "Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure Review". GameTrailers. March 21, 2009. Archived from the original on March 22, 2009. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
- ^ a b Bozon, Mark (March 13, 2009). "Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure Review". IGN. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
- ^ "Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure". Nintendo Power. Vol. 240. April 2009. p. 83.
- ^ Teti, John (March 30, 2009). "Henry Hatsworth In The Puzzling Adventure". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on April 1, 2009. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
- ^ Ralph, Nate (March 13, 2009). "Review: Henry Hatsworth a Mashup of Puzzle, Platforming". Wired. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
- ^ "2010 Awards Category Details Outstanding Achievement in Portable Game Design". interactive.org. Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
- ^ Mihoerck, Dan (December 23, 2009). "GameSpot's Best of 2009 Genre Awards Winners". GameSpot. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
- ^ Mihoerck, Dan (December 24, 2009). "GameSpot's Best of 2009 Platform Award Winners". GameSpot. Retrieved May 27, 2016.