Adventure of Samsara is the sequel to Atari’s classic Adventure. It looks amazing, and could quite easily be the sequel you didn’t know you needed…
I honestly don’t know if I ever used an Atari 2600, 5200, or 7800 back in the day. A schoolfriend had one, and had a lot of games, although I don’t know if Adventure was one of them (the only one I remember was Superman). I suspect, based on the games available, and my memory, that it was an Atari 2600 (as opposed to VCS) model, the black “Darth Vader” style console.
Of course, I’ve played Adventure since on then on the Atari 50 collection. Little did I imagine that it could be so completely reimagined… and I’ll be honest, I really like the look of what the game is about to become!
Watch the Adventure of Samsara trailer
This is the official synsopsis:
Adventure of Samsara is a mysterious, 2D Metroidvania action-adventure that captures the spirit of the original Atari 2600 title, Adventure and takes it in an entirely new and unique direction.
As players battle through a series of diverse, interconnected biomes and confront brutal mutant bosses, they will unlock new abilities and enhancements – each revealing deeper layers of the game’s enigmatic, cosmic narrative. The game lives in the spiritual landscape of the original Adventure, brimming with its core elements of exploration, curiosity, and hidden secrets. Not a remake or sequel, Adventure of Samsara instead asks players to search for subtle references to the very first adventure game as they journey through a remarkably deep world.
The main features of the game are:
- Metroidvania Exploration – Explore 10 unique biomes, from frozen wastes to industrial labs, each filled with distinct enemies, hazards and hidden upgrades.
- Classic Gameplay Feel – With classic gameplay and twisted 2D pixel art, Adventure of Samsara evokes the timeless feel of games like Prince of Persia (1989) while offering something entirely new.
- Original Worldbuilding – Immerse yourself in an expansive, interdimensional fantasy world with a deep, spiritual lore.
- Adventure Easter Eggs – The game features nods to the original Adventure, with familiar structures, enemies, and references that reward both new and returning players.
- Collectibles – Hidden collectibles boost health, mana, damage, and flasks, while dozens of augments let players customize their playstyle.
I’ve tried the playable demo, and really enjoyed it. Here’s a look at it (spoiler: I die horribly):
Adventure of Samsara is coming to Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 or 5, and Xbox Series X|S, as well as Steam, although the release date is currently unknown. You can wishlist the game on Steam now, and learn more on the Atari website.
Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through those links. This comes at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!
Christian Cawley is a writer and editor who covers consumer electronics, IT, and entertainment media. He has written for publications such as Computer Weekly, Linux Format, MakeUseOf.com, and Tech Radar.
He also produces podcasts, has a cigar box guitar, and of course, loves retro gaming.