Posted: 14 months ago, last updated 9 months ago.
Author: Andrea Walney, @GeekDadGamer and Jo Robertson.
Overview
Planet Alpha is played over 10 chapters featuring slightly different terrain, puzzles and enemy encounters. The gimmick is that the world contains ancient contraptions that allow you to manipulate time. By doing this you manipulate the environment to your advantage. Reposition massive machines or allow flowers to bloom so you can jump on them.
Play involves working to the right with wall climbs and huge leaps in gravity altered areas. There are stealth sections, puzzles to complete and difficult terrain. There are regular checkpoints so when you die you are not returned to the start, which is very welcome as some sections are pretty devious.
The result is a beautifully designed planet with magical flora and fauna and challenging gameplay. The time manipulation mechanic is cleverly designed and adds a unique element to an otherwise straightforward obstacle course game and makes it more of a puzzle.
Game Details
Release Date: 04/09/2018
Price: 70% off
Platforms: PC, PS4, Switch and Xbox One
Content Rating: PEGI 12
Skill Rating: 9+ year-olds
Players: 1
Genres: Action, Adventure, Platform and Puzzle
Accessibility: 11 features
Lists
View our choice of games like Planet Alpha. This game is good if you want to:
Duration
Play Style
Age Ratings
Rated for younger players in Australia. Rated Parental Guidance (PG) for Mild Science Fiction Themes and Violence.
Skill Rating
9+ year-olds usually have the required skill to enjoy this game. Still, it's important for parents and guardians to consider the maturity required to process the game content. Although there are some tricky jumps and lateral thinking about the time-shifting puzzles younger children will enjoy the fantastical experience.
Accessibility
Most of the gameplay involves pressing one button and moving the joystick. Pressing buttons quickly are used for multiple jumps, and holding buttons are used for grabbing and activating the game at the beginning. The controller rumbles to indicate falls and attacks, and this cannot be turned off.
The game is very colourful with very busy backgrounds with multiple moving objects that are decorative and not required for the gameplay. They cannot be turned off. Colour is used as indicators of moveable and climbable objects.
There is no speech in the game, either written or spoken, and no instructions other than button indicators.
Diversity and Inclusion

Hand-Picked Games Like Planet Alpha
Our experts have hand-picked the following similar games. These are similar to Planet Alpha in how they play or their theme. These are good alternative games to Planet Alpha, or are a younger rated alternative for players not ready for PEGI 12 or ESRB TEEN games.
