Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure offers a uniquely blended experience that seamlessly switches between high-octane platforming and brain-teasing puzzle action. On the Nintendo DS’s upper screen, you control the titular adventurer as he leaps, slashes, and dodges through lush jungles, gilded temples, and looming clockwork towers. Each level is peppered with enemies and environmental hazards that demand precise timing and clever maneuvering to overcome.

Defeating foes in the action realm isn’t the end of the encounter—knock them down, and they drop into the Puzzle Realm on the touch screen. There, the game transforms into a lively match-three challenge reminiscent of Tetris Attack. You’ll rotate and align colored block-enemy hybrids to clear them before they ascend back up and rejoin Hatsworth upstairs, adding a constant tension to the dual-screen interplay.

As you clear more block enemies, you fill Henry’s Super Meter, inching closer to “Tea Time.” Triggering Tea Time morphs Henry into a steam-powered robot of unstoppable might, armed with laser blasts and homing missiles. This over-the-top transformation serves as both a spectacular spectacle and a tactical reset when you find yourself overwhelmed, making for a satisfying payoff to intense puzzle-platform combos.

Graphics

Visually, Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure stands out with its charming hand-drawn sprites and fluid animations. Hatsworth himself exudes personality, from the flourish of his hat tip to the theatrical poses he strikes after defeating a boss. Enemy designs are equally imaginative, mixing Victorian-era dapperness with grotesque monster motifs in the Puzzle Realm blocks.

The game’s environments are richly detailed, whether it’s the moss-covered stones of a jungle ruin or the gleaming brass gears of Weaselby’s mechanical lair. Background layers move at varying speeds to create a subtle parallax effect, lending depth to each stage. Bright, saturated colors help important elements pop, ensuring you never lose track of falling puzzle pieces or on-screen foes.

Even the puzzle screen is polished: block animations are crisp, and satisfying particle effects play whenever you clear a chain or trigger an enemy blast. The user interface remains clean, with clear indicators for the Super Meter, Timer, and any active power-ups. Overall, the visual presentation keeps you immersed in Hatsworth’s steampunk-flavored world without ever feeling cluttered.

Story

The narrative kicks off when our pompous hero, Henry Hatsworth, unearths a mysterious Golden Hat deep in a remote jungle temple. The reprieve of shedding two decades from his age is short-lived, however; the hat fractures the boundary between worlds, unleashing grotesque monsters that now menace our upper-hemisphere adventurer. It’s an amusing take on the “beauty-and-the-beast” trope with a quirky steampunk twist.

Adding to the drama—and the rivalry—is Weaselby, Henry’s arch-nemesis and fellow member of the Pompous Adventurer’s Club. Ever the backstabbing opportunist, Weaselby has already seized several pieces of the legendary Golden Suit and is determined to claim the top spot. This one-upmanship fuels both the platforming levels and the cut scenes between worlds, infusing the story with tongue-in-cheek humor and lighthearted banter.

While you’re slicing through enemies and matching puzzle blocks, you gradually uncover Weaselby’s machinations and the true scope of the puzzle-plane invasion. Cinematic sprite sequences and brief narrative interludes keep the pace snappy without overwhelming the gameplay. By the time you face off against the final challenge, you’ll be invested in setting things right—and in raising a proper cup of tea to celebrate your victory.

Overall Experience

Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure succeeds brilliantly at marrying two distinct genres into one cohesive package. The constant feedback loop between action and puzzle screens keeps both thumbs busy and your brain engaged. This duality rarely feels gimmicky; instead, it provides a refreshing rhythm that stands out among typical single-genre DS titles.

Difficulty curves are well-balanced: early stages ease you into the mechanics, while later levels demand faster reflexes, smarter block clears, and more strategic use of Tea Time. Replay value is bolstered by time-attack challenges, hidden collectibles, and the sheer joy of shaving seconds off your best runs. Whether you’re a platform veteran or a puzzle aficionado, there’s enough depth here to keep you coming back.

Ultimately, Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure is a delightful recommendation for anyone seeking originality on the DS. Its polished presentation, clever fusion of gameplay styles, and whimsical storytelling make it a standout title. If you’re ready to don a glittering hat, tame two worlds of chaos, and enjoy a spot of afternoon tea in robotic form, Hatsworth awaits your summons.

Retro Replay Score

8.2/10