Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

The first draw here is simple: Twisted Bundle does not ask you to choose between the base game and its follow-up. You begin with Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams, then have Rise of the Owlverlord ready when you want more. That makes the package feel more satisfying than a compilation padded out with unrelated extras; these are two parts of the same platforming run.

This is firmly a 2D, side-scrolling action-platform game, built for the pleasure of moving through fantasy stages rather than for broad genre experimentation. If you enjoy the direct rhythm of platform challenges and want a game that stays focused on that lane, it gets to the point quickly. The initial pull is having a full adventure ahead of you without needing to treat the follow-up as a separate purchase or a different kind of game.

The main caution is also the bundle’s nature: the two included games are closely connected, not wildly contrasting experiences. That is great when the core style clicks, because you get more of it; it can feel like a long stretch of similar territory when it does not. On consoles, the added Christmas and Halloween levels sweeten the deal, especially if you want the most complete version of these releases in one game.

Graphics

The game uses a side-on 2D view, with fantasy locations and characters carrying the action across scrolling stages. It is a natural fit for a platformer: you can concentrate on the route ahead and the space around Giana instead of wrestling with a camera.

Story

Twisted Bundle is first and foremost a package built around action-platforming, and the supplied material gives the story little reason to take center stage. The meaningful narrative point is continuity: Rise of the Owlverlord sits alongside Twisted Dreams as a related second adventure, rather than a detached bonus.

That framing helps set expectations. You are not coming here for a sprawling fantasy epic with a pile of separate plot threads; you are getting an extended return to the same world and character. For a compilation, that coherence is more valuable than a forced attempt to make the contents seem unrelated.

The title of the follow-up gives the bundle a clear sense of escalation, but the real benefit is momentum. Finish or enjoy the first game, and there is another connected chapter waiting rather than an abrupt stop. Anyone who likes their platform games to have a continuing thread will appreciate that arrangement.

Overall Experience

Giana Sisters: Twisted Bundle earns its value through concentration. Instead of scattering its attention across several genres, it delivers two related fantasy platform games and, on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Switch, adds the formerly PC-exclusive seasonal levels. You know what sort of evening you are signing up for: side-scrolling action and a healthy amount of it.

It is strongest for you if a good 2D platformer sounds better than a novelty-filled compilation. The connected pair gives the collection a satisfying amount of substance, while the bonus themed stages make the console release feel thoughtfully assembled rather than merely repackaged.

At 7.4, this is a good bundle rather than an automatic purchase for every taste. Give it a chance if you want two linked Giana Sisters adventures in one place and are eager for more after the first game starts to click. Skip it only if the prospect of an extended, closely related run of side-view platform action already sounds tiring.

Retro Replay Score

7.4/10