Alentejo: The Tinto and The Ugly

Alentejo: The Tinto and The Ugly
DeveloperLoading Studio
PublisherTeknamic Software
DirectorIvan Barroso
DesignersIvan Barroso
Vasco Oliveira
ProgrammerDaniel Penão
ArtistsMarta Vaz, Raquel Neves, Rui Barata
WritersVasco Oliveira, João Canelo
ComposerRui Rodrigues
EngineGB Studio
PlatformsGame Boy, Web browser, PC
ReleaseWeb browser
  • EU: October 25, 2025
Game Boy
  • EU: February 25, 2026
GenreAction role-playing game
ModeSingle-player

Alentejo: The Tinto & The Ugly is an RPG game released in 2025 and developed by Loading Studios and published by Teknamic Software for Game Boy, PC and Web browser. The game is the sequel to Alentejo: Tinto's Law,[1] inspired in Spaghetti Western movies of the 1960s.

The narrative follows Gildo and Dolores after the events of the previous game. The Game Boy version marks the first commercially released sequel developed in Portugal to be launched for that platform.[2][3]

Gameplay

Alentejo: The Tinto & The Ugly is a Single-player video game and Action role-playing game with an emphasis on narrative, as well as puzzle-solving and combat elements.[4][5]

Like its predecessor, the game is divided into two sections: an overworld focused on narrative progression, exploration challenges, and action sequences, and an underground world featuring levels centred on Puzzle and collectable Power-up items. The narrative is more prominent in the overworld areas, while puzzle elements are emphasised in the underground sections. New combat modes have been introduced, including duels, shooting sequences, and horseback riding segments across the region.[6]

The narrative of Alentejo: The Tinto & The Ugly continues the journey of Gildo and Dolores in their effort to defeat Barão Tinto and dismantle his network of control and illicit wine trafficking in the region. At this stage, Gildo is supported by Dolores as they explore the border area between Portugal and Spain. In Spanish territory, the duo establishes contacts with local allies and resistance groups in order to destabilise the operations of the bandit El Feo. This strategic alliance seeks to assemble a Portuguese–Spanish team capable of confronting and ultimately dismantling Barão Tinto's organisation on Portuguese soil.[7][8]

Development and release

Alentejo: The Tinto & The Ugly was developed by the team at Loading Studios, formerly known by developing The Fisherman: A Codefish Tale,[9][10] and Alentejo: Tinto's Law. The team behind Alentejo: The Tinto & The Ugly included Ivan Barroso (director and game designer), Vasco Oliveira (level designer), Daniel Penão (programmer), Marta Vaz (artist), Rui Barata (animation), Raquel Neves (concept artist), and João Canelo (narrative designer).[11] The music was composed by Rui Rodrigues, and the promotional artwork was created by Tiago Pimentel.[12] According to Vasco Oliveira, the game aimed to continue the narrative established in the first title, expanding the gameplay options and improving upon the less successful aspects of the previous game.[13][14]

The game was released digitally in October 2025 for Web browser and as PC game. A cartridge version for the Game Boy was released in February 2026 by Teknamic Software.[15]

Other Campaigns

In the wake of the disaster caused by Storm Kristin in February 2026, which struck the regions of Leiria and Marinha Grande in Portugal, Loading Studios announced that all profits from the sales of Alentejo: The Tinto & The Ugly and Alentejo: Tinto's Law during that month would be donated to support the affected communities.[16][17]

Reception

Reviews

Alentejo: The Tinto & The Ugly received generally positive reviews, particularly for its narrative, puzzles, humor, action sequences, musical variety, and historical references to the 19th-century Iberian Peninsula. Several analyses also highlighted improvements in the game's visuals, including more detailed characters, environments, and animations, as well as greater diversity in gameplay. Some reviews noted performance issues, although these were considered typical and expected given the period and the hardware.[18][19][20]

At the 2025 Lisboa Games Week event, the game was awarded the “Developers Choice” prize.

Future and Sequels

The sequel to Alentejo: The Tinto & The Ugly has not yet been officially announced, although the creators have mentioned in interviews that it is planned. However, the studio has revealed that its next project will be a new adventure, #31 Luzyahdas: The Botafogo Odyssey, a science fiction video game set in the 31st century centered on the space frigate Botafogo.[21]

References

  1. ^ ""Alentejo: The Tinto & The Ugly": Portuguese Studio Returns to Alentejo Western Game". SAPO – O Digital. 8 September 2025. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  2. ^ Loureiro, Jorge (22 February 2025). "Alentejo: The Tinto & The Ugly announced, the sequel to the first Portuguese game for Game Boy". Geek in Out. Archived from the original on 24 February 2025. Retrieved 5 January 2026.
  3. ^ Rodrigues, Luís Filipe (22 June 2025). "Alentejo without law, or how to play Game Boy in Portuguese". Time Out Lisboa. Archived from the original on 11 July 2025. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  4. ^ "Alentejo: The Tinto & The Ugly". Kotaku. 4 November 2025. Retrieved 5 January 2026.
  5. ^ "Interview with the creators of Alentejo: The Tinto & The Ugly". SideQuest. 14 October 2025. Retrieved 17 December 2025.
  6. ^ Salsinha, Élio (7 November 2025). "Podcast: 4 Bits de Conversa #178 – Alentejo: The Tinto & The Ugly with Ivan Barroso and Vasco Oliveira". Salão de Jogos. Archived from the original on 8 December 2025. Retrieved 8 February 2026.
  7. ^ Dias, Pedro Moreira (21 October 2025). "Review: Alentejo: The Tinto & The Ugly". Salão de Jogos. Archived from the original on 8 December 2025. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  8. ^ "Review – Alentejo: The Tinto & The Ugly". InforGames. 23 October 2025. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  9. ^ "Hexrite wins at the PlayStation Talents Awards in Portugal". Eurogamer Portugal. Eurogamer. 27 November 2023. Archived from the original on 9 October 2024. Retrieved 22 February 2025.
  10. ^ "PlayStation Talents IX Winners". RTP Arena. RTP. 24 November 2023. Archived from the original on 23 April 2025. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
  11. ^ Loading Studios (4 February 2026). "Alentejo: The Tinto & The Ugly". itch.io. Retrieved 25 December 2025.
  12. ^ Galvão, Bruno (30 October 2025). "Alentejo: The Tinto & The Ugly Receives Limited Edition". Eurogamer.pt. Archived from the original on 2 November 2025. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  13. ^ "Isto Faz-se Por Cá — Episode 40: "Alentejo: The Tinto & the Ugly!"". RTP Play. Rádio e Televisão de Portugal. 28 November 2025. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  14. ^ Urriça, Filipe (20 October 2025). "#136 Crafts of Fun, Alentejo: The Tinto & The Ugly". Videojogos: Boas Leituras. Retrieved 25 January 2026.
  15. ^ "Alentejo: The Tinto & The Ugly — The Alentejo Western Saga Returns in October". IGN Portugal. IGN Portugal. 3 September 2025. Archived from the original on 11 September 2025. Retrieved 4 January 2026.
  16. ^ Galvão, Bruno (2 February 2026). "Portuguese Studio Launches Solidarity Campaign". Eurogamer.pt. Retrieved 8 February 2026.
  17. ^ Wagner, Pascal (2 February 2026). "Lisbon Devs Are Collecting for Reconstruction After Storm Kristin". GamesMarket Global. Retrieved 10 February 2026.
  18. ^ Mendes, Nuno (7 November 2025). "Alentejo: The Tinto & The Ugly". Meus Jogos. Archived from the original on 17 December 2025. Retrieved 4 January 2026.
  19. ^ Campos, Hugo (16 October 2025). "Alentejo: The Tinto & The Ugly, Review". Squared Potato. Archived from the original on 17 December 2025. Retrieved 5 January 2026.
  20. ^ Marques, João (20 October 2025). "Alentejo: The Tinto & The Ugly – The Return of the Alentejo Western, Review". SideQuest. Retrieved 5 January 2026.
  21. ^ Campos, Hugo (1 December 2025). "Alentejo: The Tinto & The Ugly: Official Presentation, Report". Squared Potato. Archived from the original on 17 December 2025. Retrieved 17 December 2025.
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