Adventure of Samsara Review: Atari’s Return to Metroidvania on Nintendo Switch
Atari, a name synonymous with the origins of video gaming, has experienced a storied legacy marked by dramatic highs and lows.
Over the past few years, the company known for revolutionizing home entertainment has been working to reestablish its prominence through a mix of retro re-releases, reimagined classics, and original titles.
The latest entry in this initiative is "Adventure of Samsara," a Metroidvania-style game released for Nintendo Switch via the Nintendo eShop, marking another step in Atari’s revival efforts. A New Chapter with Old Roots While many of Atari’s iconic properties have endured for decades, Adventure of Samsara stands apart as a title with a unique history.
Originally developed under the title "Tower of Samsara" by an independent studio unrelated to Atari, the game caught the attention of the veteran publisher during its development.
Atari’s involvement led to the game’s rebranding as Adventure of Samsara and the integration of subtle references to classic Atari titles.
Despite these nods, the core identity of the game remains original, providing a fresh take on the action-adventure and exploration genres. In a recent statement, Atari highlighted its commitment to bringing new experiences to long-time fans while supporting innovative development teams.
Their approach has involved revitalizing forgotten franchises and lending the Atari name to promising projects that fit their ethos of exploration and discovery. Gameplay and Exploration Take Center Stage Adventure of Samsara firmly positions itself within the Metroidvania tradition—a genre beloved by veteran Nintendo Switch players for its intricate maps and layered progression.
The game opens with careful pacing, delivering a familiar yet deliberate platforming and combat experience.
Early gameplay is marked by stiff controls and a gradual introduction to upgrades, which may make the initial hours feel slow to seasoned fans.
However, as players unlock new abilities, the game’s world opens up, revealing a carefully constructed map filled with hidden areas and opportunities for revisiting previous locations. The unique pixel art presentation of Adventure of Samsara contributes to its atmospheric design.
While the combat itself is described as deliberate and occasionally unforgiving, the standout feature remains its satisfying exploration.
The level design exemplifies the classic "onion" structure of Metroidvania games, encouraging players to peel back new layers of the map as they attain upgrades. Technical Performance and Ongoing Updates Despite its strengths, Adventure of Samsara is not without technical issues.
Performance can occasionally suffer from stuttering—most evident when certain abilities are used—and some players have encountered minor bugs, in rare cases necessitating a reboot.
Atari and the developer have responded with multiple patches aiming to improve stability, though some stuttering may persist for now.
Players who are sensitive to such technical hiccups should be aware, although many may find them tolerable over a standard playthrough of approximately fifteen hours. A Worthy Addition to the Nintendo Switch Library Adventure of Samsara is a nuanced entry in Atari’s expanding catalog of Switch titles.
Though its connection to Atari’s classic Adventure may feel largely superficial, the game’s strong sense of place, rewarding exploration, and gradually unfolding gameplay make it a commendable addition for Metroidvania enthusiasts.
While not a groundbreaking reinvention of the genre, the title signifies Atari’s dedication to fostering new ideas within its historic brand.
For fans of exploration-driven platformers, Adventure of Samsara is well worth a look on Nintendo Switch. Version Tested: Nintendo Switch Review Copy Provided by Atari
Over the past few years, the company known for revolutionizing home entertainment has been working to reestablish its prominence through a mix of retro re-releases, reimagined classics, and original titles.
The latest entry in this initiative is "Adventure of Samsara," a Metroidvania-style game released for Nintendo Switch via the Nintendo eShop, marking another step in Atari’s revival efforts. A New Chapter with Old Roots While many of Atari’s iconic properties have endured for decades, Adventure of Samsara stands apart as a title with a unique history.
Originally developed under the title "Tower of Samsara" by an independent studio unrelated to Atari, the game caught the attention of the veteran publisher during its development.
Atari’s involvement led to the game’s rebranding as Adventure of Samsara and the integration of subtle references to classic Atari titles.
Despite these nods, the core identity of the game remains original, providing a fresh take on the action-adventure and exploration genres. In a recent statement, Atari highlighted its commitment to bringing new experiences to long-time fans while supporting innovative development teams.
Their approach has involved revitalizing forgotten franchises and lending the Atari name to promising projects that fit their ethos of exploration and discovery. Gameplay and Exploration Take Center Stage Adventure of Samsara firmly positions itself within the Metroidvania tradition—a genre beloved by veteran Nintendo Switch players for its intricate maps and layered progression.
The game opens with careful pacing, delivering a familiar yet deliberate platforming and combat experience.
Early gameplay is marked by stiff controls and a gradual introduction to upgrades, which may make the initial hours feel slow to seasoned fans.
However, as players unlock new abilities, the game’s world opens up, revealing a carefully constructed map filled with hidden areas and opportunities for revisiting previous locations. The unique pixel art presentation of Adventure of Samsara contributes to its atmospheric design.
While the combat itself is described as deliberate and occasionally unforgiving, the standout feature remains its satisfying exploration.
The level design exemplifies the classic "onion" structure of Metroidvania games, encouraging players to peel back new layers of the map as they attain upgrades. Technical Performance and Ongoing Updates Despite its strengths, Adventure of Samsara is not without technical issues.
Performance can occasionally suffer from stuttering—most evident when certain abilities are used—and some players have encountered minor bugs, in rare cases necessitating a reboot.
Atari and the developer have responded with multiple patches aiming to improve stability, though some stuttering may persist for now.
Players who are sensitive to such technical hiccups should be aware, although many may find them tolerable over a standard playthrough of approximately fifteen hours. A Worthy Addition to the Nintendo Switch Library Adventure of Samsara is a nuanced entry in Atari’s expanding catalog of Switch titles.
Though its connection to Atari’s classic Adventure may feel largely superficial, the game’s strong sense of place, rewarding exploration, and gradually unfolding gameplay make it a commendable addition for Metroidvania enthusiasts.
While not a groundbreaking reinvention of the genre, the title signifies Atari’s dedication to fostering new ideas within its historic brand.
For fans of exploration-driven platformers, Adventure of Samsara is well worth a look on Nintendo Switch. Version Tested: Nintendo Switch Review Copy Provided by Atari
