Mainly writing a review because I'm seeing some very... odd criticisms leveled at this game.
First the obvious Amazon issue where people use the product review page to rate the shipping, the seller, or other various issues with receiving the product rather than the product itself. There are areas to review that and leave feedback/ratings. The product page is not it.
Now, on to criticism of the product I've seen that is very strange. First of all, complaints about graphics. The graphics are fine. More than fine, it's a very nice looking game. No, it's not bouncing 8k ray-tracing at 144 frames per second with physics computed in the cloud simulating every molecule of dust in the wind, but it's a game about jogging and fighting sentient yoga mats with thighmaster powers, on the Nintendo Switch. The textures are sharp, the colors are vibrant, the animation is on point and the resolution/framerate are high and solid. Unless you simply have something against the art style, I fail to see how one could complain about the graphics here.
Now the second common complaint I've seen regard the progression. Namely, things are unlocked at a very slow pace. This depends on your perspective, in my opinion. The game's adventure mode is not meant to be beaten over a weekend, but instead used to help get the player into a more fit routine over the course of several months. The total percentage of things you unlock is done at a very slow pace, yes.. I've been playing for 10 days, and have yet to unlock the skill tree I've seen in places like IGN reviews and the like. However, that's not to say I've found the unlocks to come at a snail's pace.
I've been playing the game for little more than the recommended 10 minutes of physical activity per day. (Ring Fit Adventure tallies up active time separately from time spent with the game simply on) In these 10 days, I've made it to the 5th world, have 4 different sets of outfits with 2 more purchasable if I earn enough gold, unlocked 9 or 10 different smoothie recipes, and have something like 20 exercises I can equip for battle. There's also a catalog to track your unlocked things, and according to that I've only unlocked about 6 percent of the smoothie recipes.. Yeah, it'll take a long time to get 100% unlocked, but there are a LOT of things to unlock and my short sessions involve several unlocks per day.
Now, the actual important thing... how is Ring Fit Adventure as an exercise game?
I loved the idea of an exercise RPG as soon as I saw it announced. I did use Wii Fit U for a few weeks, but the lack of variety made it feel about as exciting as your average treadmill. It did the job, but it was hard to feel enthusiastic about playing.
Ring Fit Adventure on the other hand has the RPG aspect, and while I'm not super invested in the story (so.. dragon? Magic fitness ring that talks? Strange lands and exercise equipment trying to kill me? Not chomping at the bit for the next page of the story...) the RPG style progression has me ready to continue my adventure every day. In 10 days, I've reached character level 30 and still love seeing the "GAINS!" flash on the screen, increasing my attack/defense stats.
As exercise itself, it also can be more intense than you think. Currently, I'm playing on difficulty level 16. There are 30 total difficulty levels, and the main difference is in how many reps you need to do per set during a fitness battle. It also appears to change how fast you have to move during sprinting sections when running through the levels.
Now, I'm not massively out of shape, but I'm a 36 year old man who was slowly melting into "dad bod" and didn't want that. In the 10 days I've been doing Ring Fit Adventure, I started on difficulty level 9 (answering a few questions about my age, weight and desired difficulty) and have slowly added in more difficulty levels when I feel comfortable. Comfortable is a relative term though, as I've been worked so hard by this game I've ended up sore.. and yes, that's with only 10 or 14 minute sessions each day.
After each level, you are given the option to check your heart rate with the right joy-con's infrared camera. I've read many reviews that say it gives wildly varied readings that don't line up with reality and is thus a broken feature, but I've had much better luck with it. Yes, sometimes the reading is off but that's because I put my thumb in the wrong spot (kinda hard to get it perfect when you're exhausted) but still, it won't just spit out a number. It'll tell me the reading is having trouble, and try again. The trick? Do what the picture on the TV says. Line the pad of your thumb up with the IR camera, don't press too hard, and hold. It's easiest for me with my hand in the same position as shown on the TV, with my left hand supporting the ring-con, so I don't shake all over the place.
Also, YES DRINK WATER. I don't remember sweating nearly this much from Wii Fit, but I can't go one session in Ring Fit Adventure without dripping sweat... which makes Ring saying "Your sweat is so shiny and beautiful!" all the creepier, but I digress.
Overall, Ring Fit Adventure does what it sets out to do. The RPG hook is enough to keep me coming back not for the story, but for the grind. If you've tried things like Wii Fit, or other attempts to gameify fitness but simply getting fit wasn't enough of a draw to keep you coming back, Ring Fit Adventure might work for you. Defeat dumbell crabs with squats and planks!
Just watch out for Ring... that thing is so into fitness, it is honestly worrisome....
----UPDATE----
I've continued playing, now on day 25 of the adventure. Still playing just about the 10-14 minutes a day the game gives before asking if I want to stop. In this time, I have upped the difficulty up to level 20, and I've kept it there for the last few days as certain exercises still are very difficult in but one rep set.
I've also been keeping track of my weight over this time, and while I haven't seen much of a shift there, I have been noticing I'm toning up pretty well. If I actually bothered to count calories, I could really shed some fat in a hurry with this game helping me out.
The game keeps track of all the exercise you've done, and I have burnt over 1000 calories with my morning Ring Fit Adventure. Of course the more difficulty you add, the more reps you have to do, the more calories you burn. However, the game also seems to still keep the 10 minute rule before it asks if you want to stop. I usually do, but sometimes I feel like I just started exercising and keep playing until I'm spent. If I do that too many days in a row, I up the difficulty.
I can say for certain my abs are really toning up. I still have a bit of a belly, but you can actually see my abs under the little layer of flab. Whey protein has been a big help in making me not feel so sore, and allowing my muscles to heal and strengthen after a session in Ring Fit Adventure.
Finally, as I've continued playing I've found SO MUCH MORE STUFF in the game. Doing sidequests has overleveled me on normal content, so I'm about 5 levels above the enemies I'm facing right now. That mainly means I don't have to use smoothies as often in battle, and can instead sell them for gold if I need it.
There are tons of outfits to unlock, and they have different set bonuses. At level 40, the skill tree was finally unlocked and I started earning skill points per level. At level 65, the skill tree expanded, and I learned the fit skills have RANKS, and I just barely saw that 2 star ranks exist.
Every time I unlock something new in this game, I get the feeling that I'm still barely scratching the surface.
Oh, and also I found the tiny text on the box about how to clean the ring-con's hand grips, if they get stinky from so much sweat, they are removable (held on by velcro) and you're supposed to hand wash them in warm water with mild detergent, and let them air dry away from direct sunlight. Only says that on the box in a very tiny spot that's easy to miss, so I figured I'd add it here.
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From the manufacturer
Traverse grass-swept plains by jogging in place, attack enemies with overhead shoulder presses, and refill your health meter by striking some yoga poses.
With additional minigames and customizable workout routines, Ring Fit Adventure is a great escape for players of all skill levels and schedules.
Want to compete with others? Pass around the Ring-Con and Leg Strap accessories and select from 12 minigames!
It's fun for the whole family!
Videos
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0:57
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Do NOT Buy Ring Fit Until You Watch This First
✅ Mother0flots
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1:49
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Ring Fit Adventure Nintendo Switch unboxing and first look
Edwin-E
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4:40
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Should You Buy? Ring Fit Adventure for Nintendo Switch
Should You Buy?
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2:27
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Burning energy at home! Fun for all ages.
Shelby Butts
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3:24
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Nintendo Ring Fit Adventure - Great workout
Kevin Chee
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1:50
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Unboxing and first look 5 stars
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Reviews with images
Received the German Version
Game is fun but received the EU version of the game. Still played in English so it's still functional for me.
