Mission in Snowdriftland

Green
Feb 3
3 min read

Updated: Apr 1

A Snowy Platforming Challenge

Embark on a frosty adventure in Mission in Snowdriftland, a charming pixel art 2D collectible platformer. Beneath its cheerful wintery facade lies a surprisingly tough challenge. Do you have what it takes to conquer it?

About This Game

Storyline

UPIXO, an organization dedicated to preserving video game artifacts, faces a crisis when the villainous El Pix steals valuable gaming treasures. With no other option, UPIXO calls upon Chubby, a small but courageous snowman, to retrieve the stolen items from the icy realm of Snowdriftland. As Chubby ventures through the perilous landscape, he must overcome enemies, environmental hazards, and challenging platforming sections to save the gaming world from El Pix.

While the story is simple and lighthearted, it fits the game’s whimsical and nostalgic tone, serving as a fun complement for the action-packed platforming ahead.

Gameplay Mechanics

Mission in Snowdriftland is a classic 2D collectible platformer, offering a structured challenge across 24 levels. The game is designed like an advent calendar, which is a cool design for a winter themed game. Each level is packed with collectibles (hidden items, hidden pixels, and snowflakes) which encourage exploration and replayability. One level in each world also contains an extra heart, adding an additional layer of depth for completionists.

The platforming mechanics are simple yet tight, with responsive controls and well-designed movement. Unlike many modern platformers, the game lacks power-ups or special abilities, but given its compact runtime (~3.8 hours for a full playthrough without the bonus level), this omission doesn't feel like a drawback.

Boss fights conclude each world, bringing variety and challenge to the experience. These battles, along with the final battle against El Pix, are well-crafted and engaging.

The bonus level stands out as a difficulty spike, testing even the most skilled players.

One of the biggest areas for improvement is the difficulty balancing. The first world is surprisingly unforgiving, featuring constant instant-death hazards such as water pits and knockback-induced falls. If something hits you while you are jumping over water, it’s an instant fall and immediate death. Due to this unusual difficulty in early levels, later worlds feel noticeably easier. I would dare to say that the first world is the toughest apart from the bonus level at the end.

Some sections also require prior knowledge to avoid unexpected damage or even deaths, which can be frustrating for first-time players.

A slight rebalance of these two aspects would definitely improve the experience.

Visuals & Audio

The game’s pixel art is charming and detailed with high-quality retro inspiration. Chubby’s movement is smooth, and the world feels vibrant.

The soundtrack is fitting, offering a cheerful tone. However, while the music is good, it doesn’t stand out as particularly memorable.

Pros

Well-designed platforming with great collectibles.
Engaging boss fights.
Great humor and references for classic platformer fans.
Charming pixel art and smooth animations.

Cons

First world is overly punishing compared to later levels.
Some unavoidable damage and deaths require trial-and-error learning.

To Be Improved

The difficulty curve should be adjusted, especially in the first world, to prevent early frustration.
Certain enemy placements and platforming sections could be tweaked to reduce unavoidable damage and deaths.

Conclusion

Mission in Snowdriftland is a delightful platformer that successfully blends nostalgia, challenge, and festive charm. The advent calendar format is an enjoyable concept, and the level design encourages both exploration and skillful play. While the difficulty balance could use some refinement, especially in the early game, it remains a rewarding experience for platformer enthusiasts. If you're a fan of classic 2D platformers with a collectible-driven focus, this game is well worth your time!