I have played many interactive games in my lifetime, but the Ring Fit Adventure takes interaction to another level. It is the premier exercising action role-playing game by Nintendo that involves physical components and adventure gameplay. It does not try to replace the Nintendo Wii Fit Plus game from many years ago; instead, it includes a storyline and makes the game more interactive.

It is a very clever way of making exercise a little more interesting. Released in October 2019, it plays only on Nintendo Switch, and I doubt there are plans to expand to other platforms. The game pack goes for $79.99.

Simplistic Plot, Interactive Gameplay

You take on the role of a young athlete who partners with a sentient Ring to take down a bodybuilding dragon named Dragaux. The dragon is allegedly spreading dark influence around the world. It is never made clear what the villain’s intentions are, but we are made to believe it is evil. For a bodybuilding dragon, he may be out to make the world unhealthy and obese or extremely fit. This is where we get the sense that the game has little to do with the plot, as it is more about physical activities. 

The game works with the Ring-Con and Leg Straps, both physical accessories required for the game. As your on-screen character runs through the overworld into various dungeons, his actions mimic your physical movements, which is quite cool. You carry out attacks by performing different exercises, and the attack’s gravity depends on how effectively you complete the exercise. There are about 44 different unlockable exercises, and you can choose which ones you want to emphasize for each mission. You jump over obstacles by squeezing the Ring-Con, and fire projectiles by squeezing the same in the target’s direction. You earn experience points with every monster you defeat and level up by unlocking new exercises.

You get food items like smoothies to revive your health, soups and teas to provide buffs that boost your attacks, etc. It is, however, unclear if you should follow these dietary directions in real-time or if they are subtle hints for when you are done with the gameplay. Despite the many unanswered questions, Ring Fit Adventure does a good job of keeping you physically active. As I progressed through the game, I noticed myself breaking a sweat after half an hour of exercise, which is good physical exercise.

Cool Graphics That Work

The game’s interface is simple, showing a little explainer animation that helps you perform the exercise correctly. The interface also shows your character and its actions and the calories you burn. The talking Ring motivates you through the exercises. Colors classify the exercises to stop people from always taking the easy way out.

Enemies of different colors can be defeated quicker using specific exercises, so you have to equip your mission with different exercises. This maximizes your chances of winning and the effectiveness of your muscles. The Ring Fit Adventure world is full of vibrant and lively landscapes, although it can feel empty and deserted. You are literally the only human racing through an open world until you run into a demon. Although this keeps you focused on exercising, I can only imagine what the world would be like if you could interact with other gamers.

Highly Enjoyable RPG

I liked that Ring Fit Adventure takes advantage of its RPG elements, ensuring the game never gets stagnant or boring. You can always unlock new skills, moves, recipes, and activities as you go. I remember I started with predominantly squat-based attacks but slowly progressed from leg-intensive gameplay to a more dynamic one.

Unlike many exercise-based games, you can lose a fight if you do not nail your moves correctly, which keeps you motivated. It keeps you mentally and physically committed to the game, more than you would be if you simply got a score. You start every session with a quick warm-up session and end it with a cool-down or stretch session. When you start the game, you will be asked how the last sessions felt and allowed to adjust the difficulty level if you want. I understand the use of this feature, but I think it can sometimes give people an out for doing an effective workout.

I liked that a quiet mode was built into the game for those who want to exercise with minimal noise. Also, you can replace the jogging in place with squats. This is especially useful to people who live in apartment buildings with neighbors beneath them or have a child in the house they don’t want to disturb. It is also suitable for people who cannot engage in high-impact exercises. This may be due to lower-body injuries or other reasons. There are also a couple of mini-games that target muscles.

High-Quality Physical Instruments

The Ring-Con is a real-life Pilates ring that remains sturdy even after years of usage. It maintains its resistance and durability despite the many pulls and squeezes it is subjected to. The Ring-Con is made from fiber-glass reinforced plastics, the same material used in aircraft and shops. It is at the center of many moves: you are lifting it overhead for a tree pose or pressing it against your stomach for an Ab Guard move. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, Ring Fit Adventure is a good and fun way to increase physical activities within the house. It does not constitute a replacement for actual workout or gym time, but it is a great way to start. It helps to dispel the negative energy that may accompany exercises by keeping your mind occupied in a gaming environment. Also, the ever-encouraging Ring walks you through your moves. This is one game that not only offers a unique gaming experience but can also get you in shape at the same time.