Addle Earth

Addle Earth is a single-player action game set in a futuristic, abandoned Earth where three unique protagonists—a girl named Kit, an ape called Che, and an alien named Moses—must fight mechanical enemies to save the world. The game features a nonlinear narrative, with each character having distinct abilities explored in individual stages before players can switch between them. Presented in a 2D isometric perspective with a vibrant, digitally painted art style, the story unfolds through the protagonists’ memories as they are interrogated by a federal agent.

Addle Earth: A Flawed but Fascinating Isometric Homage to the Greats

Introduction: A Game Caught Between Inspiration and Identity

Addle Earth (2020) is a game that wears its influences on its sleeve—so much so that it occasionally forgets to carve out its own identity. Developed by the now-defunct Sunland Estudios de Entretenimento Ltda, this Brazilian indie title is an isometric action-adventure that draws heavily from Bastion’s narrative structure and Hyper Light Drifter’s atmospheric combat. Yet, despite its derivative nature, Addle Earth manages to craft a peculiar charm through its nonlinear storytelling, vibrant art style, and an earnest attempt at something different.

At its core, Addle Earth is a game about memory, survival, and an Earth ravaged by technology. Players take on the roles of three distinct protagonists—Kit, a gun-wielding human; Che, a melee-focused ape; and Moses, an alien with phasing abilities—as they navigate a dystopian wasteland overrun by mechanical foes. The game’s framing device—a federal agent interrogating the trio about their past—sets up a fragmented, time-hopping narrative that, while ambitious, struggles to fully coalesce.

This review will dissect Addle Earth in exhaustive detail, examining its development history, narrative ambitions, gameplay mechanics, artistic direction, and legacy. While it may not be a masterpiece, the game is a fascinating case study in indie development, showcasing both the potential and pitfalls of wearing one’s influences too openly.

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Development History & Context: A Brazilian Indie Labor of Love

The Studio Behind the Game

Sunland Estudios de Entretenimento Ltda was a small Brazilian studio that, despite its brief existence, aimed to make a mark in the indie scene. Addle Earth was their most ambitious project, funded in part by FSA/Ancine – BRDE, a Brazilian government initiative supporting cultural and creative industries. The game’s development was led by:
– Henrique Muradas (Creative Director & Lead Designer)
– Renato Dias Viana (Technical Director & Lead Programmer)
– Caleb Souza (Lead Concept & 2D Artist)

The team was relatively small (20 developers in total), with additional support from GO! Interactive for 3D art and GameOver for music. The game’s voice cast included Tiana Ren Hanson (Kit), Roberto Petrillo (Detective Rob), and Muradas himself voicing both Moses and Che—a testament to the team’s resourcefulness.

The Gaming Landscape in 2020

Addle Earth released on August 28, 2020, into a market already saturated with isometric action games. The indie scene had seen a resurgence of the genre thanks to titles like:
– Bastion (2011) – The obvious inspiration for Addle Earth’s narration and structure.
– Hyper Light Drifter (2016) – A major influence on its combat and atmospheric storytelling.
– Dead Cells (2018) – Which had redefined fast-paced, roguelike action.

The challenge for Addle Earth was clear: how could it stand out in a genre dominated by more polished, mechanically refined games? The answer, unfortunately, was that it couldn’t entirely—but it didn’t stop the team from trying.

Technological Constraints & Design Choices

The game was built with a 2D-isometric perspective, a deliberate stylistic choice that evoked classic Diablo-style ARPGs while allowing for a hand-painted aesthetic. However, this decision came with limitations:
– Collision Detection Issues – Players reported clipping through objects, a common problem in isometric games where depth perception can be tricky.
– Performance Hiccups – Some users experienced vertical sync issues, suggesting optimization struggles.
– Limited Budget – The game’s scope was ambitious for a small team, leading to some unfinished mechanics and repetitive enemy waves.

Despite these challenges, Addle Earth’s development was a passion project, one that sought to blend Brazilian creativity with global indie trends.

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Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive: Memory, Chaos, and a World in Ruins

The Premise: A Planet on the Brink

Addle Earth takes place in a post-apocalyptic future where humanity has been enslaved by its own technology. The world is a confused, abandoned wasteland, overrun by mechanical enemies—droids, machines, and other automated horrors. The game’s three protagonists—Kit, Che, and Moses—are interrogated by a federal agent (Detective Rob) about how they saved the world, with the story unfolding through their fragmented memories.

This nonlinear narrative structure is the game’s most ambitious element. Rather than a straightforward progression, players experience the story in flashbacks, jumping between different timelines and perspectives. The approach is reminiscent of Bastion’s dynamic narration, but Addle Earth struggles to make its storytelling feel as organic.

The Three Protagonists: Strengths and Weaknesses

Each character represents a different playstyle and narrative perspective:

1. Kit K1001 – A human girl with an energy weapon, capable of charged shots and sliding. Her sections play like a twin-stick shooter, emphasizing ranged combat.

   • Narrative Role: The “chosen one” archetype, though her backstory is underdeveloped.
   • Gameplay Strength: Versatile, especially in open areas.
   • Weakness: Can feel overpowered compared to the others.

2. Che – A melee-focused ape with jumping abilities, wielding brute force against enemies.

   • Narrative Role: The “wildcard,” adding humor and physicality.
   • Gameplay Strength: Excels in close-quarters combat.
   • Weakness: Struggles in ranged-heavy sections.

3. Moses – An alien with a phasing sword, able to pass through obstacles.

   • Narrative Role: The “mystical outsider,” providing exposition.
   • Gameplay Strength: Unique mobility options.
   • Weakness: Combat feels less impactful than Kit’s.

The character-switching mechanic is a highlight, allowing players to adapt to different combat scenarios. However, the writing and dialogue often fall flat, with humor that doesn’t land and exposition that feels forced.

Themes: Technology, Memory, and Survival

Addle Earth explores several intriguing themes:
– The Dangers of Unchecked Technology – The world is ruined by machines, a clear critique of AI and automation run amok.
– The Fragility of Memory – The nonlinear storytelling suggests that truth is subjective, with each character’s recollection shaping the narrative.
– Unity in Diversity – The trio’s differing backgrounds (human, ape, alien) symbolize cooperation in the face of extinction.

However, these themes are underdeveloped. The game’s short runtime (around 4-6 hours) prevents deep exploration, and the ending feels abrupt, leaving many questions unanswered.

The Bastion Problem: Homage vs. Imitation

The elephant in the room is Addle Earth’s blatant borrowing from Bastion:
– Narration Style – A constant voiceover guides the player, much like Bastion’s narrator.
– World-Building – The fragmented, post-apocalyptic setting is eerily similar.
– Tone – The game even references Bastion directly in its dialogue, a meta-joke that feels more like an admission of influence than clever writing.

While homage is fine, Addle Earth struggles to escape its predecessor’s shadow. The narration lacks Bastion’s emotional weight, and the world feels less lived-in.

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Gameplay Mechanics & Systems: A Mix of Innovation and Frustration

Core Gameplay Loop: Combat, Exploration, and Switching

Addle Earth is, at its heart, an action-adventure game with light RPG elements. The core loop involves:
1. Exploring isometric environments (forests, ruins, futuristic cities).
2. Engaging in combat against waves of robotic enemies.
3. Switching between characters to solve puzzles and adapt to combat scenarios.

The character-switching mechanic is the game’s most innovative feature, allowing for dynamic gameplay shifts. For example:
– Kit’s ranged attacks are best for crowd control.
– Che’s melee strikes excel in tight corridors.
– Moses’ phasing lets players bypass obstacles.

However, the execution is uneven:
– Combat can feel repetitive, with enemy waves that rely on quantity over quality.
– Puzzle design is simplistic, often boiling down to “use the right character.”
– Movement feels stiff, particularly in platforming sections.

Combat: A Case of Overwhelming Odds

The combat system is serviceable but unremarkable:
– Kit’s energy gun can be charged for stronger shots or fired rapidly.
– Che’s melee attacks have a satisfying weight but lack variety.
– Moses’ sword is fast but weak, making him the least useful in combat.

The biggest issue is enemy design:
– Most foes are bullet sponges, requiring tedious chip damage.
– Some levels flood the screen with enemies, leading to chaotic, unfair fights.
– Boss battles are underwhelming, lacking the epic scale of similar games.

Progression & Upgrades: A Missed Opportunity

The game lacks a deep progression system:
– No skill trees – Characters don’t evolve meaningfully.
– No loot system – Unlike Bastion or Dead Cells, there’s no gear to collect.
– No permanent upgrades – Players don’t feel a sense of growth over time.

This makes Addle Earth feel shallow compared to its peers. The lack of replayability is a major drawback—once the 4-6 hour campaign is over, there’s little reason to return.

UI & Controls: Functional but Flawed

• The isometric perspective can make depth perception tricky, leading to misjudged jumps.
• The menu system is clunky, with unintuitive navigation.
• Controller support is decent, but keyboard/mouse feels imprecise.

Glitches & Technical Issues

Several players reported:
– Collision bugs (walking through walls).
– Frame rate drops in busy areas.
– Audio desync issues (voice lines cutting off).

These problems suggest a rushed release, likely due to budget constraints.

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World-Building, Art & Sound: A Visually Striking but Uneven Experience

Setting & Atmosphere: A Confused, Colorful Wasteland

Addle Earth’s world is a futuristic dystopia, blending sci-fi and fantasy elements. The environments include:
– Overgrown forests with floating ruins.
– Abandoned cities filled with broken machinery.
– Alien structures hinting at Moses’ origins.

The digitally painted art style is the game’s strongest asset, with vibrant colors and detailed backgrounds. However, the world lacks cohesion—it feels like a mishmash of ideas rather than a fully realized setting.

Sound Design & Music: Ambitious but Forgettable

• The soundtrack (composed by Arthur and Thiago Ribas) is atmospheric but lacks memorable themes.
• Voice acting is hit-or-miss – Tiana Ren Hanson (Kit) delivers a solid performance, but some lines feel stiff.
• Sound effects are functional but nothing special.

The narration (by Roberto Petrillo) is constant, but unlike Bastion, it doesn’t enhance the experience—it often feels like filler.

Visual Fidelity: A Double-Edged Sword

• The hand-painted aesthetic is gorgeous in still images.
• Animation is smooth, particularly for character movements.
• Enemy designs are bland, with repetitive robot models.

The game’s art direction is its biggest selling point, but the execution is inconsistent.

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Reception & Legacy: A Game That Slipped Through the Cracks

Critical Reception: Mixed but Mostly Overlooked

Addle Earth received little mainstream attention, with no Metacritic critic reviews and few professional write-ups. The Steam reception was mixed:
– 71/100 Player Score (Steambase).
– Mostly positive user reviews, but with common complaints about repetitive combat and technical issues.

IndieGameReviewer.com gave it a lukewarm assessment, praising its ambition but criticizing its derivative nature and unpolished mechanics.

Commercial Performance & the Studio’s Demise

The game struggled commercially, likely due to:
– Lack of marketing.
– Strong competition in the indie space.
– Technical flaws that deterred players.

Tragically, Sunland Studios closed down in 2024, with Addle Earth being removed from sale. The studio’s final message on Steam was a bittersweet farewell, thanking players for their support.

Legacy: A Cautionary Tale for Indie Developers

Addle Earth serves as a case study in:
– The risks of over-relying on inspiration – It’s hard to stand out when your game is too similar to existing hits.
– The challenges of small-team development – Ambitious ideas require polish to succeed.
– The importance of post-launch support – Without updates, even a decent game can fade into obscurity.

While it’s not a lost classic, Addle Earth is a fascinating artifact of indie game development—a flawed but earnest attempt to carve a niche in a crowded genre.

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Conclusion: A Game Worth Remembering, If Not Revisiting

Addle Earth is not a great game, but it’s not a bad one either. It’s a curious experiment, a Brazilian indie title that dared to stand on the shoulders of giants—even if it occasionally stumbled under their weight.

The Good:

✅ Gorgeous hand-painted art style that gives the game a unique visual identity.
✅ Character-switching mechanic adds strategic depth to combat.
✅ Nonlinear storytelling is ambitious, even if the execution is uneven.
✅ Charming protagonist trio with distinct playstyles.

The Bad:

❌ Derivative to a fault – Too much Bastion, not enough originality.
❌ Repetitive combat with uninspired enemy design.
❌ Technical issues (collision bugs, frame drops).
❌ Underdeveloped narrative with abrupt pacing.

Final Verdict: 6.5/10 – A Flawed Gem

Addle Earth is worth experiencing for fans of isometric action games, particularly those who enjoy narrative-driven adventures. However, it’s hard to recommend wholeheartedly when superior alternatives (Bastion, Hyper Light Drifter, Dead Cells) exist.

Its true value lies in its ambition—a small team trying to create something meaningful in a competitive industry. For that alone, Addle Earth deserves recognition, even if it ultimately falls short of greatness.

If you’re curious, play it. But temper your expectations—this is indie gaming at its most earnest, if not its most refined.

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Final Thought:
Addle Earth is like a beautifully painted but slightly cracked vase—visually striking, but unable to hold water. It’s a game that could have been great, but instead, it remains a fascinating “what if?” in the annals of indie history.

Rest in peace, Sunland Studios. Your passion shines through, even if the final product didn’t.