EA has recently transitioned in my mind from a game company that I didn't pay much attention to (and before EA fans get riled up over that statement, I'm not a sports fan and that's the major reason why) to a virtual treasure chest of upcoming delights. Between Mirror's Edge, Dead Space, Spore and now Henry Hatsworth, I'm on the verge of becoming a fan. You're speaking my language, EA!

Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure is described as a platform puzzler with an indie feel (ooh!).The game was created as a part of the Experimental Gameplay Project by alumnus Kyle Gray. It was most recently shown at the Independent Games Summit at GDC 2008.

From the press release:

In this two-in-one adventure, players will explore five exotic worlds, fight a variety of opponents, and venture through more than 30 levels, including nearly a dozen hidden levels while taking on outrageous world-ending bosses. The separate worlds on the two Nintendo DS screens have a cause and effect inter-relationship, and players choose when to switch between conquering the action-platform realm and mastering the increasingly challenging puzzle world.

After my love affair with Puzzle Quest, the words "puzzle/adventure hybrid" make me foam at the mouth (it isn't pretty), so despite being a part of EA's Casual Entertainment label, I have to admit I'm pretty interested. It comes out in early 2009,  and we'll bring more details your way as they become available.

LOS ANGELES, Calif., August 12, 2008 – Love puzzle games, but also love an adventure? Now you can have both in one game. The Casual Entertainment Label of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS) today announces Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure an exclusive Nintendo DS™ adventure-puzzle game that adds a new element of fun by combining the action of an adventure game with the challenge of a puzzle game all in one.

 

"We are excited to bring an indie-inspired new intellectual property to the EA Casual Entertainment Label with Henry Hatsworth that fuses together two styles of gameplay utilizing the two Nintendo DS screens like never before," said Robert Nashak, VP of EA Casual Studios. "The innovative elements of the game have the potential to appeal to both Nintendo enthusiasts and more casual Nintendo DS players."

 

Meet Henry Hatsworth, a quirky, light-hearted character who players will guide on their journey through a new style of gaming adventure on their Nintendo DS. In this two-in-one adventure, players will explore five exotic worlds, fight a variety of opponents, and venture through more than 30 levels, including nearly a dozen hidden levels while taking on outrageous world-ending bosses. The separate worlds on the two Nintendo DS screens have a cause and effect inter-relationship, and players choose when to switch between conquering the action-platform realm and mastering the increasingly challenging puzzle world. A wide variety of power-ups will help Hatsworth in both of these worlds. Players will complete puzzle combinations and defeat puzzle enemies in order to gain power ups, health, and energy to supercharge Hatsworth in his adventure.

 

"Henry Hatsworth is an incredibly unique game," said Scott Walker, Henry Hatsworth Executive Producer. "It's a deep, challenging, and humorous game that you won't want to put down."

 

Developed by a team at EA Tiburon in the EA Casual Entertainment Label, Henry Hatsworth is scheduled to be available worldwide early 2009. The game is not yet rated by the ESRB or PEGI. For game artwork, visit http://www.info.ea.com.