Retro-inspired platformers continue to find a home on Xbox, and Shards of Mistfrost is the latest to throw players into a straightforward adventure filled with dangerous enemies, tricky platforming and a trusty returning weapon.
Available now on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and Windows PC through the Xbox Store – with three versions on offer – this budget-priced release sees you taking the fight to an icy force threatening to freeze the entire world.
Published by Synnergy Circle Games, a studio that’s become a familiar name on the Xbox Store thanks to a steady stream of affordable retro-inspired adventures, Shards of Mistfrost continues that trend with a distinctly Norse flavour.
At a Glance
- Game: Shards of Mistfrost
- Developer: Synnergy Circle Games
- Publisher: Synnergy Circle Games
- Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC (three Xbox Store versions)
- Price: £4.19
- Genre: 2D Action Adventure Platformer
An Axe Is Your Greatest Weapon
The story follows Hrok Thorgril, a warrior determined to stop the Giants of Calamity before they plunge the world into an endless winter. Their power comes from mysterious winter crystals scattered across the land, and destroying those crystals – along with the giants protecting them – is the only way to restore balance.
Rather than relying on a growing arsenal of weapons, the gameplay revolves around a single throwing axe. It’s capable of smashing obstacles, defeating enemies and breaking the magical crystals that fuel the frozen invasion, but there’s a catch. Every throw leaves Hrok temporarily unarmed until the axe returns, meaning you’ll need to think carefully about your positioning and timing before committing to each attack.
Familiar Retro Foundations
Like several previous Synnergy Circle Games releases – AXONVOLT and Bonk ‘N Bash, for instance – Shards of Mistfrost embraces old-school design principles without overcomplicating things. Precision platforming, quick reactions and learning enemy patterns are all part of the challenge, while the Norse-inspired setting gives the adventure its own visual identity.
At £4.19, Shards of Mistfrost once again demonstrates Synnergy Circle Games’ commitment to affordable indie releases. Whether you’re chasing Achievements and Gamerscore across all three available versions, or simply looking for another retro platformer to add to your library, this frosty adventure is ready to test your reflexes.
Shards of Mistfrost is available now for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Windows PC via the Xbox Store.
