Amanda The Adventurer 2

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Developed by MANGLEDmaw Games and produced by DreadXP, Amanda the Adventurer 2 picks up where its predecessor left off. Taking players on a chilling adventure that blends nostalgic cartoon elements with a deeply unsettling narrative. Available on Steam now, this time, we follow Riley Park, who ventures to the Kensdale Public Library.

Amanda the Adventurer 2, she definitely won’t hurt you.

Every now and then, a game comes along that taps into your inner child – only to terrify it. Amanda the Adventurer 2 lures you in with a vibe reminiscent of shows like Dora the Explorer or Blue’s Clues. But this is no kid’s show; things quickly turn sinister. You’re left with a series of puzzles, and a glimpse into Amanda’s unsettling world that keeps you on edge. See if you’re up for the challenge – and let us know what you’re most excited to uncover in the comments below!

Gameplay

Amanda the Adventurer 2 is deceptively simple: you’re tasked with solving puzzles as you unravel the eerie world of Amanda and her friend, Wooly the Sheep. Right from the start the puzzles can feel oddly challenging. First and foremost, the game provides no tutorial; you are thrust into the library and left to your own devices. Once you ascertain your first objective, (gaining the code for a lock to obtain your first VHS tape), the puzzle is rather vague. You can collect and scan the books, but it is unclear whether the numbers in the books relate to the code or if scanning them grants access in some way.

The storybook puzzle is a similar tale. Wooly tells a story, and you try to pick the books in the correct order. But somehow, no matter how carefully you follow his clues, his voice drops into an unnervingly condescending tone as he informs you of another wrong answer. Whether it’s a sequence issue or vague hints, this puzzle alone can leave you feeling like you’re cracking the enigma. Then, when you think you’re making progress, a “demonic Amanda” might appear. If you make a significant mistake, Amanda’s sweet, cartoonish self turns on you. Talking about how you have wasted her time and from this, her demon outside of the TV shall devour you.

Wooly speaking on screen with the caption Wooly: Telling a story is like going on an adventure! A depressing living room setting with children's drawings on the wall in the background. With Amanda laying curled up looking sad on the sofa — That’s not the story we wanted to hear

The puzzles don’t get easier. Frankly, all of them have issues. The infamous piggy bank, for instance, appears simple – but figuring out exactly when to remove it as the VHS plays and when to leave it on the stans requires a timing that would flummox Father Time himself. There’s also a hammer you acquire, which can cause an unfortunate bug if you haven’t broken the piggy bank before giving the Amanda Demon what she wants.

A Skeletal Demonic version of Amanda with a gaping mouth and sharp teeth lunges in a library setting filled with bookshelves and scattered chairs. Text overlay reads, Amanda: Wait! They're trying! Please? — My Amanda what big teeth you have

Rewind

Amanda the Adventurer 2 will require multiple viewings of the same VHS tapes to find clues. Rewatching tapes repeatedly, hoping to catch hidden hints, quickly becomes tedious, especially if you’re stuck. It cycles you through these tapes, and soon, you wish Amanda would offer more clues to move things along.

When killed in the game, it seemingly resets everything, which can be frustrating. It looks like you’ve lost all progress, and many players might assume that’s the end of the game or that they need to start from scratch. The game doesn’t clarify that you don’t have to redo everything, leaving you feeling stuck. This confusing moment could quickly put people off, as it seems like a complete reset, even though it isn’t.

Graphics & Audio

Visually, Amanda the Adventurer 2 takes you back to those VHS-era cartoons with bright colours, cute characters, and a retro screen glare that perfectly sells the “lost tape” experience. The game’s true skill is manipulating this familiarity, twisting it into something deeply unsettling. One minute, Amanda and Wooly are skipping along and the next, Amanda’s voice drops an octave, or her eyes suddenly flash with something unholy, becoming bright red. Even the VHS tape can become fully distorted, showing disturbing imagery. The sound design complements this perfectly – Amanda’s cheerful, repetitive tone becomes increasingly unnerving as she mocks your attempts at puzzle-solving, and the background noises are subtle enough to make your skin crawl. It’s an atmosphere that manages to be both nostalgic and nightmare-inducing. Some beautiful illustrated art appears early in the game, but it is limited to this early stage.

Vintage TV screen displaying a surreal animated scene featuring multiple Amanda characters with blacked out eyes standing on a rocky terrain. The background is dominated by a large, glowing rock formation and vibrant, colorful sky. Looking like a mushroom cloud. — That’s nightmare fuel

Longevity

Clocking in at a few hours if you’re savvy, Amanda the Adventurer 2 isn’t the longest game out there. But for what it lacks in hours, it makes up for in haunting replayability. You might come back to see if there’s a quicker way to solve puzzles or to explore new details in Amanda’s twisted little world. However, the bugs and challenging mechanics can push gameplay time into frustrating territory. But for fans of horror and childhood nostalgia with a dark twist, it’s an experience worth reliving, if only to spot things you missed the first time.

Final Thoughts

Amanda the Adventurer 2 is a unique horror experience that brilliantly flips beloved kids’ show tropes into unsettling territory. Its puzzles are occasionally too challenging, and the bugs need attention, but the overall experience is refreshingly creepy. Whether you’re here for the nostalgia, the horror, or the puzzles, Amanda’s adventure will leave a lasting impression. If you’re up for a test of patience and bravery, give it a go.

For its bold concept, atmosphere, and nostalgia-tinged horror, Amanda the Adventurer 2 deserves a nod, bugs and all. And so I award it the Thumb Culture Gold Award.

Disclaimer: A code was received to write this review.

About Author

Tyler Denyer

Tyler Denyer/ Tyluild is a passionate journalist, whose love of video games runs deep. With a focus on crafting captivating video game reviews, they immerse themselves in the worlds of gaming, especially ones with deep and rich lore. Beyond games Tyler is a lover of cats, travelling and finding a tasty treat to eat. Eager to stay on top of the latest trends, they regularly attend video game events, and keep on top of news in the gaming world. Fuelled by an insatiable curiosity, our journalist is equally enthralled by not just games themselves, but also new accessories. Their favorite style of game? Without a doubt, RPGs, allowing Tyler to fully explore his imagination, the grind in game is less tedious than in life.

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Amanda The Adventurer 2 – PC Review