The Amanda the Adventurer series has built quite a loyal audience over the past few years thanks to its unusual combination of children's educational programming, VHS nostalgia, and psychological horror that slowly creeps under your skin. Amanda the Adventurer 3 represents the final chapter of that story, and its arrival on the Nintendo Switch brings the opportunity for players on Nintendo's console to finally experience the resolution of one of the more interesting indie horror mysteries of recent years.
The story continues immediately after the events of the previous game. Riley Park finds herself at the center of the story once again, this time exploring abandoned locations connected to the mysterious company Hameln. If you've been following the series from the beginning, this is exactly what you've been waiting for – answers, resolutions, and the uncovering of secrets that have accumulated throughout the previous installments. At the same time, new players may find it challenging to grasp all the plot threads without prior knowledge, so this is definitely a game that rewards long-time fans the most.
The gameplay remains true to the formula that the series has nurtured from day one. Most of your time will be spent watching eerily distorted episodes of a children's show, searching for clues and solving escape room puzzles that stretch throughout the environment. The puzzle elements are among the best parts of the game as they constantly push you to observe details and connect seemingly unrelated information. Some puzzles manage to provide that satisfying feeling of discovery, while others rely on trial and error more than they should.
The atmosphere is still the biggest asset of the series. Amanda and her animated friends manage to be both charming and completely unsettling at the same time. The moments when the game deliberately blurs the line between children's programming and the real world work particularly well, leaving a sense of discomfort even when nothing particularly scary is happening on screen. The horror here does not come from cheap jumpscares but from a constant feeling that something is not right.
On the Nintendo Switch, the game runs quite well. Visually, it is not a technical spectacle, but the stylized look and limited spaces suit the console's hardware well. The controls are simple and clear, and the portable mode actually enhances the feeling of watching forbidden VHS tapes somewhere under a blanket in the middle of the night.
However, Amanda the Adventurer 3 is not without its flaws. The biggest problem lies in the conclusion. Although it provides some answers, a portion of fans will likely be somewhat disappointed by the number of open questions and the feeling that certain storylines wrap up too quickly. For some players, even the duration of just a few hours will not leave the impression of a grand finale they were expecting.
As the conclusion of an unusual indie trilogy, Amanda the Adventurer 3 manages to maintain the recognizable atmosphere and mystery that have made the series popular. It is neither the scariest sequel nor the most ambitious horror of the year, but it is interesting enough to give fans a reason for one last journey through the world of VHS tapes, children's shows, and secrets that perhaps should have remained buried.
A copy of the Nintendo Switch 2 version of the game for review purposes was provided by the publisher Dread XP
