Common Sense Media Review
By Chris Morris
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Charming, relaxing adventure game with positive message.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 5+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
Alba: A Wildlife Adventure
What's It About?
ALBA: A WILDLIFE ADVENTURE takes place during a visit with her grandparents in the Mediterranean. Alba finds a dolphin in perill and dedicates her vacation to helping animals and the world around her, whether that means picking up trash on the ground or stopping a hotel from replacing the local nature sanctuary. As Alba, you (and your friend Ines) will gather volunteer and convince people to help you with your goals, as you take pictures of local wildlife (a favorite hobby of your grandfather's). The game lets you proceed at your own pace and encourages you, like the child hero, to run around and explore as you do good deeds with no time pressure to finish tasks.
Is It Any Good?
The most amazing thing about this wilderness adventure isn't it's environmental focus or its gameplay -- it's the kindness. Alba and Ines, the two main characters of Alba: A Wildlife Adventure Screen, are terrific friends. Her grandparents are supportive and loving. Adults in the game speak to kids, rather than at them. And this kindness extends into the overall theme of the game -- making the world around you a better place. To further extend that, the game encourages players to progress at their own speed, without any artificial pressure. It wants you to relax on this virtual island as much as the digital residents of that property do.
That sense of calm makes the game's shortcomings much less frustrating. The camera Alba uses is flipped, meaning the controls become inverted. That makes it dizzying and aggravating when trying to line up a shot of any animal you see. Given the major role that feature plays in the gameplay, it can be jarring, but you'll be so invested in helping Alba save the nature center and clean up the island that you won't want to give up. It's a breezy, carefree game that's both empowering and educational. And it's a perfect diversion for younger kids and adults alike.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about conservation. What can you do to make the world around you a better place?
Where would you go if you could go anywhere -- and what would you do?
Game Details
- Platforms : Apple Arcade , Nintendo Switch , Xbox Series X/S
- Subjects : Science : animals , ecosystems and the environment , Arts : photography
- Skills : Self-Direction : goal-setting , work to achieve goals , Communication : friendship building , Collaboration : group projects
- Pricing structure : Paid
- Available online? : Available online
- Publisher : ustwo games
- Release date : December 20, 2020
- Genre : Adventure
- Topics : STEM , Animals ( Wild Animals )
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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