TANGLEWOOD for Windows

Revival of a classic SEGA Mega Drive platformer

Tanglewood is a free adventure game for PC created by Big Evil Corporation. It's an action platformer that is based on the classic SEGA Mega Drive and Genesis release of the same name. In it, players will guide a fox-like creature through a mystical forest full of danger.

Just like Broforce and Sonic the Hedgehog, Tanglewood features retro 16-bit pixel art and graphics as an homage to 90s classics. Apart from this version, the game also has an official premium Steam release that players can opt to purchase to show support for its development.

A modern-day revival

Tanglewood is set in the titular Tanglewood, a dark and mysterious forest filled with terrors and beasts. The story revolves around a Djunn named Nymn. The young fox-like creature was separated from its pack during sunset and is now left all alone to wander. With no way back to its underground home, you must help it survive the night until morning comes and it's able to go back home again.

This game is home to various predators and a maze-like labyrinth. You must make use of Nymn's quick reflexes and special abilities to make it out alive. The game features 28 levels across 8 chapters designed in 16-bit pixel art style. You will encounter puzzles that you need to solve to progress, as well as traps and surprises that you use to your advantage against enemies.

What's more, it features dynamic day/night cycles that help add to the immersion and sense of the progression of time. Now, while the game will be instant nostalgia for most, its actual gameplay leaves a lot to be desired. For one, there is noticeable input lag when playing with controllers. Another is that it can be rather unintuitive at the beginning since there's no guide or tutorial included.

Nostalgia for nostalgia's sake

Retro games are popular for a reason—for the sense of nostalgia that they bring to long-time, old-school gamers. If the experience of playing them is not up to par, though, those positive sentiments go away rather quickly. Tanglewood is a good game, held back by technical shortcomings. It's hard to recommend it in its current state until its issues are fixed first.