Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

The core of Alice in Wonderland’s gameplay is a classic side-scrolling adventure, seamlessly blending platforming challenges with light puzzle-solving. You guide Alice through winding corridors of tulgey woodlands, curious doorways, and topsy-turvy tea parties, all while avoiding hazards like rolling teacups and hungry playing cards. The controls feel responsive, making it easy to jump, duck, and interact with the environment—key for nailing the timing on tricky leaps or snatching power-up items.

(HEY YOU!! We hope you enjoy! We try not to run ads. So basically, this is a very expensive hobby running this site. Please consider joining us for updates, forums, and more. Network w/ us to make some cash or friends while retro gaming, and you can win some free retro games for posting. Okay, carry on 👍)

What sets this title apart is its heavy emphasis on character interaction. With over 40 unique Wonderland denizens to meet—including the enigmatic Cheshire Cat, the eccentric Mad Hatter, and the imperious Queen of Spades—dialogue isn’t just window dressing. Your conversations can unlock hidden pathways or reveal cryptic riddles that must be solved to progress. These exchanges often branch, making each playthrough feel slightly different depending on who you choose to talk to.

Puzzle design strikes a pleasant balance between brain-teasers and action. Some puzzles require careful observation—like matching the right tea set patterns to calm the Mad Hatter—while others leverage the side-scrolling engine, such as collapsing bridges or weight-based platform switches. Though not overwhelmingly difficult, these challenges provide a satisfying sense of accomplishment when you unravel Wonderland’s many secrets.

Replay value is bolstered by collectible items scattered throughout diverse levels. Finding all the hidden cards or collecting special “Wonder Tokens” rewards you with artwork galleries and concept sketches, offering a peek behind the creative curtain. For completionists, the search for every secret encourages meticulous exploration, lengthening the overall experience without feeling padded.

Graphics

Alice in Wonderland brings Lewis Carroll’s dreamlike landscapes to life with vibrant 2D hand-drawn visuals. Every level feels like a moving storybook page: lush gardens brimming with oversize flowers, eerie mushroom groves that glow in moonlight, and grand halls where the Queen of Spades holds court. The color palette shifts dynamically—warm pastels for whimsical areas, deeper purples and blacks for more sinister locales—mirroring Alice’s emotional journey through Wonderland.

Character designs strike a wonderful balance between homage and originality. Alice herself is rendered with expressive animations, from her inquisitive head tilts to her delighted leaps when she uncovers a new secret. The Mad Hatter bounces in place, his hat wobbling comically, while the Cheshire Cat fades in and out with surreal, almost elastic movements. These details make every encounter feel alive and true to Carroll’s text.

Technical performance is rock-solid, with a consistent frame rate that keeps the action smooth even during hectic sequences. Background layers scroll independently, producing a subtle parallax effect that adds depth without straining older hardware. Occasional particle effects—like floating confetti at the tea party or swirling leaves in the Tulgey Wood—adds polish, though they never distract from the core gameplay.

Minor graphical hiccups are rare but worth noting: a few texture pop-ins when venturing between areas, or slight clipping when Alice stands too close to large background objects. However, these issues are so fleeting that they hardly detract from the experience, especially when weighed against the game’s overall visual charm and artistic ambition.

Story

Adapting Lewis Carroll’s timeless tale to an interactive medium is no small feat, yet the developers handle it with reverence and creativity. The narrative begins as Alice tumbles down the rabbit hole and unfolds in episodic chapters that loosely follow familiar beats: a chaotic tea party, a trial in the Queen’s court, and ultimately, the quest to find her way home. Each chapter introduces new characters and mini-arcs, ensuring the plot never feels stagnant.

Dialogues are both playful and occasionally poignant, capturing Carroll’s penchant for wordplay while injecting fresh humor. Chats with the Cheshire Cat often border on the philosophical, posing whimsical riddles that hint at bigger themes—identity, logic, and the nature of reality. Meanwhile, side characters like the Dormouse or the Knave of Hearts bring smaller, self-contained vignettes that enrich Wonderland’s tapestry without derailing the main quest.

The story’s pacing is generally well-balanced: moments of lighthearted exploration give way to tense encounters with the Queen of Spades and her card soldiers. Boss fights—like a chessboard duel against the Red Knight or a frantic escape from a flaming castle—are woven into the narrative, not tacked on as mere combat trials. This integration helps maintain immersion and ensures that every gameplay spike feels narratively justified.

While purists may notice departures from Carroll’s original text—new side quests or altered character motivations—the alterations serve the medium well. These story expansions deepen Alice’s relationships with Wonderland’s inhabitants, making her ultimate decision to return home feel earned rather than obligatory. In the end, the game strikes a satisfying balance between honoring the source material and offering players a fresh, interactive take.

Overall Experience

Alice in Wonderland succeeds in marrying classic literature with engaging side-scrolling gameplay. Its art direction is arresting, breathing new life into well-trodden story beats, while its puzzles and platforming segments keep the experience dynamic. Whether you’re navigating a hedge maze or outwitting the Queen’s guards, there’s always a sense of discovery that compels you to keep moving forward.

The interplay of over 40 characters adds remarkable depth, making each visit to Wonderland feel brimming with possibility. Even brief conversations can yield new clues, hidden collectibles, or simply a laugh at the Mad Hatter’s latest bon mot. This emphasis on character-driven exploration sets the game apart from more linear platformers, inviting you to pause, listen, and truly engage with the world around you.

Minor hiccups—like occasional texture pop-ins or slightly repetitive combat segments—never overshadow the game’s strengths. For fans of Lewis Carroll’s world, this adaptation is a treasure trove of nods and easter eggs. Newcomers, too, will find a polished, accessible adventure that balances whimsy with challenge. Ultimately, Alice in Wonderland offers a memorable trip down the rabbit hole—one that’s well worth embarking on for players of all ages.

Whether you cherish Carroll’s novels or simply crave a beautifully crafted platformer with heart, this game delivers. Its blend of story, character interaction, and engaging mechanics make it a standout title worth adding to your collection. So don your virtual top hat, pour yourself a cup of strange brew, and prepare to follow Alice on a delightful journey through Wonderland. Happy exploring!

Retro Replay Score

null/10