Axel & Pixel is the newest title to premier on the Xbox Live Arcade from 2KPlay, and SilverWish. I know lots of you tweeted furiously yesterday, trying to get one of the free giveaway codes for Axel & Pixel in the Loot Ninja Twitter Contest. The main character, Axel, is an artist accompanied by his pet, and faithful companion, Pixel. The story begins as Axel and Pixel fall asleep in their rocking chair, and are magically transported to a dream world by an evil rat. You must chase the rat through 24 chapters, and 4 seasons, climaxing at the lair of the Ice Monster, and the final battle. The evil rat lured you into this dream world, and you must find your way to the Ice Monster’s lair and defeat him before he locks the dream land into an eternal winter, from which you will never escape.

First off, the difficulty on this game is very muted, to appeal to a younger audience. I think that is because 2KPlay does most of the “Family Friendly” offerings, and this definitely fits into that genre.  The puzzles are very elementary, and from a child’s point of view, they will pose somewhat of a challenge. For adults though, not so much. They are your basic “cause and effect” type puzzles. For example,  Axel needs to reach point “A”, but object “B” is blocking your path. Make Axel do action ”X”, and object “B” will move, clearing your path. That’s about it, really. The game begins in a Spring phase, and progressing through Summer, Autumn, and finally Winter, where it ends with a splendid quick-time event style battle at the Ice Monster’s lair. All three seasons are presented beautifully, in a whimsical, almost quirky style that is very endearing. Axel and Pixel squawk and babble at each other in a silly gibberish that is markedly funny, and really gives a feeling of friendship between the two. I would almost compare it to hearing Charlie Brown’s teacher talk in the old Peanuts cartoons.

The artwork is what this game really banks on, and it shines in this department. It’s very unique, and a big focus of the game. I’d call it a cross between a steam punk fantasy, and a Thomas Kinkade painting on acid. It’s fantastical, but without going over the top. There are several “vistas” in the game, and when you find them Axel will draw a small sketch. At the end of the game he compiles all the sketches into a “Masterpiece”, and if you find them all, bravo, that’s an achievement. There are also doggy bones for Pixel, and paint tubes for Axel, scattered throughout the levels, finding all those is another achievement. Once a chapter has been beaten, they are unlocked in the chapter selection menu, so you can revisit a level to find any items you may have missed. Dispersed throughout the game, there are also 3 vehicle themed “mini-games”, a Big-Wheel Dune Buggy, a Hot-Air Balloon, and a Sailboat, all of which you pilot through a short track with small hazards and dangers. Once beaten, these are unlocked in the mini-game menu, and can be re-visited for additional gameplay, and a few extra high-score achievements too.

Axel & Pixel was definitely created with a younger demographic in mind. The artistic stylings really appeal to a child’s sensibilities, and as mentioned before, the puzzles are geared down a notch. While I was not challenged by this game’s puzzles, my 2 year old son watched in complete rapture at the Spring and Summer chapters, especially when Pixel would bark at a critter, or prance around the screen. The soundtrack also lends plenty of suspense and joy in all the right places. Younger fans of the point-and-click adventure game genre will adore this game. All things considered, even though the story mode is a little short, and the puzzles a little too easy for adults, I still enjoyed the game. The whimsical story, outstanding artwork, and lovable characters make up for the lack of length in story mode. If you have younger gamers in your house, or even young gamers that visit on a regular basis, I say it’s a must have.

[A copy of the game was provided by the developer for review.]