Recent reviews by poltergeist.

Joe Wander and the Enigmatic Adventures is a true puzzle platformer with great graphics and familiar gameplay.

The core gameplay mechanics are centred around the character's whip which is used to incapacitate mobs, pull boxes into place, and swing across obstacles. Each of the four worlds introduces a new puzzle-solving mechanic to keep the game engaging, sometimes combining mechanics from previously completed worlds to form complex puzzles. Completing all levels in a world unlocks a boss level that needs to be completed to progress to the next world. Collecting all coins in a world unlocks a bonus level that is significantly more difficult than the regular levels, providing an extra challenge. Completing a world rewards the player with a character skin that can be used throughout the game.

The game starts off at an easy pace, but quickly ramps up in difficulty. The later levels suffer from some poor puzzle and game design choices that can negatively impact player experience. The last world in particular introduces a puzzle-solving mechanic without enough explanation or visual cues, leaving the impression that this part of the game was rushed rather than intentionally designed this way (especially in comparison to the obviously more polished earlier worlds). Some levels seem to be designed with precision platforming in mind, but don't take into account that the character doesn't respond to player input as well as it should for these levels to be fun. These choices can make the game more frustrating than challenging for some players.

The game was patched to allow continuing from the last recorded checkpoint, making it easy to play on your own time without the hassle of solving the same puzzles all over again to continue where you last left off. The average player can complete the game within 20-30 hours, unlocking three new game modes as a reward. Completionists who want to collect all coins, finish bonus levels and try their hand at the three game modes can easily spend at least 3 times as much time on the game.

Overall, Joe Wander and the Engimatic Adventures is a game worth playing. It's far from perfect, but it's fun and challenging enough as it is right now.