Promenade is a puzzle platformer for Nintendo Switch. It combines cute aesthetics with investigative elements in a difficult outing that belies its cartoonish appearance. It all adds up to a fun and rewarding experience.

You play the role of a young boy named Nemo. After falling into a dark cave, Nemo is rescued by an adorable, pink octopus. The two become friends and set up camp, playing and bonding before embarking on an epic mission together.

The pair discover a Great Elevator that connects different worlds. An evil entity appears, shrouded in purple smoke, and steals the golden gears needed to operate the elevator. Our adventurous duo sets out to find the missing gears by solving puzzles, defeating enemies and traversing the colorful landscape.

Each world has its own theme, from a beach to outer space. The variety is refreshing, with each new area ripe for exploration. There is a strong incentive to see what lies ahead or where this path leads. Along the way there are various creative puzzles that feature everything from helping a pair of snails reunite to copying a landscape onto a paint splotched canvas. Each puzzle is a fun experience, with some proving quite difficult. Solving puzzles and collecting gears allows the elevator to move to the next world.

One of Promenade’s distinguishing features is its clean, cartoonish look. There is a simplicity that presents a childlike approach to layout. This innocence is further demonstrated by the lack of text on the screen. It is clear that you are in the world of children. This also adds to the sense of exploration. What does this sign mean? How do I get to this item? There are moments of trial and error that lead to a sense of satisfaction and many “aha!” moments. It can also lead to frustration – especially at first – when it’s not entirely clear what to do.

If you’re a fan of platforming, Promenade has you covered. Running, jumping and using special techniques to cross large gaps or scale vertical platforms are all par for the course. Your squishy octo-pal serves as a tool, allowing you to improve jumps, attack enemies and more. Unlocking extra abilities along the way keeps things fresh. It also opens up previously inaccessible areas.

Any difficult sections are balanced out with a gentle approach to Nemo’s health. Nemo has infinite lives, meaning replay is always an option. He also sports five hearts, losing one each time he hits an enemy. These are replenished when you find a gear or take a nap in one of the pillow forts scattered around the place. Losing all your heart forces you to revive somewhere nearby. Fortunately, the gears you acquired earlier are still safe. I liked this relaxed style of play. leaves the puzzles and platforming challenges.

There is much to enjoy on the Promenade. The boss fights are tough, the puzzles are creative, and the platforming is satisfying. A simple notebook provides a look at which gears you have collected and which remain undiscovered. If you’re a completionist who enjoys such checklists, you’ll love every gear on your list.

Overall, Promenade is a deceptively simple title that’s full of things to do. There’s plenty of variety to keep you hooked, with challenging puzzles and platforming elements to conquer. It’s a sweet outlet that’s extremely satisfying to play.