After surprising us with Tinto’s Law, Loading Studios returns with a more ambitious and refined sequel. The Tinto & The Ugly shows just how far Portuguese indie talent can go when guided by creativity, humor, and a genuine passion for making something different.
A Story with Portuguese Soul
The narrative of The Tinto & The Ugly once again transports us to a very particular western, set in a 19th-century Alentejo reinvented in Loading Studios’ own style. The return of Gildo, Dolores, and Pepe is marked by a stronger, more dynamic story that mixes adventure, satire, and social critique with a disarming lightness.
The writing remains one of the game’s strongest points. The humor is genuine and well integrated, never feeling forced, and the dialogues bring characters with distinct personalities to life. There is also a clear narrative evolution from the first title — more characters, more twists, and a structure that keeps the player engaged until the very end.
An Alentejo in Pixels: Identity and Visual Style
Visually, The Tinto & The Ugly is a minor technical achievement. Staying true to the Game Boy format, the studio managed to increase the level of detail and variety in the environments, making the world feel more alive and diverse. Villages, mines, and the general environment stand out thanks to careful pixel art and an artistic direction that emphasizes contrast and clarity.
There is a noticeable improvement in animations and overall polish — collisions are more precise, transitions are smoother, and action scenes have a dynamism that impresses within the hardware limitations. This is the kind of work that shows technical mastery and love for the craft.
Sound and Emotion: A Soundtrack with Personality
The soundtrack is another highlight. The compositions are engaging and full of character, balancing energy, tension, and more melancholic moments. The music dynamically adapts to situations, enhancing the cinematic tone of the adventure and making each sequence more memorable.
Effects, pacing, and audio integration show above-average care. The result is a sound design that doesn’t just serve as background, but helps tell the story and immerse the player.
Shootouts, Duels, and References: Gameplay with New Ideas and Plenty of Humor
The Tinto & The Ugly improves upon the first game’s foundation with new mechanics that add variety and freshness. The reputation system, side quests, and duels at sunset give the world more depth, making it more interactive and rewarding.
What caught me completely off guard, however, was the humor spread throughout the gameplay. I genuinely laughed at some of the references I found during the adventure — from subtle jokes about Portuguese culture to delightful Easter eggs, like the famous angry man playing Sueca video, recreated brilliantly. These little touches show the care and attention of the development team, bringing the game closer to the player.
A Step Forward for Portuguese Indie Games
The Tinto & The Ugly is a confident sequel. Loading Studios managed to refine everything that worked in the previous game while adding new layers of content and ambition. It’s fun, well-written, and visually charming — a true example of how creativity can transform technical limitations into artistic strength.
More than just a continuation, it’s proof of a studio’s maturity, showing they know exactly what they want to create. A game made with humor, heart, and identity — demonstrating that the Portuguese indie scene is more alive than ever.
Platform Used for Review: Game Boy (Emulator)
Final Score: 7.0/10
🟠Special thanks to Loading Studios for providing a review copy.