American Arcadia
- November 15, 2023
- Out of the Blue
- 8h median play time
American Arcadia covers a unique scenario with a great story and beautiful environments. Its mix of 2-D sidescrolling platforming sections and 3-D exploration of the outside world shakes up what could quickly become monotonous.
Get on SteamIn "American Arcadia," a reality TV show broadcasts the lives of citizens in a retro-futuristic city. Trevor, an unpopular office clerk, faces execution but gains help from Angela, a stage technician determined to help him escape. Players must navigate dangerous obstacles and manipulate the show's sets and props to save Trevor from death. This game follows the success of "Call of the Sea."
PC
Steam Deck
Windows
Reviews
- Engaging and well-written story with unexpected twists and turns.
- Unique blend of 2.5D platforming and first-person puzzle-solving gameplay.
- Beautiful art style and strong voice acting that enhances the overall experience.
- Gameplay can feel simplistic and linear, with some puzzles being too easy or frustrating.
- Technical issues such as crashes, stuttering, and overlapping dialogue can detract from immersion.
- The ending may feel abrupt or unsatisfying for some players, leaving loose ends.
- story856 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The story of "American Arcadia" is widely praised for its engaging narrative, rich character development, and clever twists, drawing comparisons to "The Truman Show" and exploring themes of media manipulation and corporate control. Players appreciate the seamless integration of storytelling with gameplay mechanics, although some note that the gameplay can feel secondary to the narrative. Overall, the game is recommended for those who enjoy story-driven experiences, with many highlighting its captivating plot and satisfying conclusion.
“The story has some good twists and turns and ties up pretty nicely - I clocked in at 6 hours exactly, I haven't gone back for the achievements yet but I likely will.”
“A brilliant story with simple, yet gripping gameplay that kept me hooked throughout till the end!”
“The story is compelling, filled with twists and turns leading to a surprising and engaging finale.”
“No real focus on story or anything, just constant puzzles 24/7.”
“The story is okay, a bit stretched out and not overly interesting, the characters a bit flat and uninteresting.”
“The story is the main focus of the game and it does most of it well.”
- gameplay395 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "American Arcadia" is a blend of 2D platforming and first-person puzzle-solving, offering a mix of mechanics that keeps the experience engaging, though it can feel repetitive and simplistic at times. While some players appreciate the innovative dual-character gameplay and narrative integration, others find the puzzles and overall gameplay lacking in challenge and depth, often serving more as a vehicle for the story rather than a standout feature. Overall, the game is praised for its captivating story and artistic style, but the gameplay may not satisfy those seeking a more complex or challenging experience.
“The gameplay and puzzles are constantly changing.”
“The gameplay loop of American Arcadia is well-crafted, offering a mix of exploration, puzzle-solving, and platforming.”
“The gameplay is fun, the story is engaging, and it is hilarious.”
“Some parts of the gameplay were a bit repetitive and dull though.”
“This game is just evidence of how a really great story can elevate middle-of-the-road gameplay.”
“The gameplay became extremely boring very quickly; it's mostly run and jump, run and jump when playing the 2D sections and a boring point-and-click when playing the 3D sections.”
- graphics198 mentions
- 58 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their vibrant, stylized art style that evokes a unique 70s retro-futuristic aesthetic, creating an engaging and immersive atmosphere. While many players find the visuals stunning and well-executed, some report performance issues such as stuttering and frame drops, even on high-end systems, which detracts from the overall experience. Overall, the game's art direction is considered a standout feature, complementing its compelling narrative and gameplay.
“The art style feels like stepping into a vibrant, neon-soaked canvas.”
“The game's aesthetic is outstanding, 10/10 with no notes.”
“The graphics are stylized and good-looking, the game has its unique style and vibe.”
“Expect a lot of frame skipping for a game that doesn't look graphically expensive enough to justify it.”
“For a game that is not really that graphically intense, it doesn't quite run at 60 fps on the Steam Deck - average of 40 fps.”
“The graphics and performance - the art style of the game looks generally beautiful, but the optimization on PC is horrible; my PC runs super hot while playing the game, while nowadays AAA games didn't even run that hot.”
- music80 mentions
- 66 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its originality and ability to enhance the overall experience, with many reviewers praising its fitting style and emotional impact. While some noted occasional repetitiveness and volume issues, the soundtrack is generally described as immersive and beautifully complements the game's aesthetics and narrative. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's atmosphere and storytelling.
“The music, graphics, and plot twists are so on-point and mesmerizing.”
“Great aesthetics, scene selection once done simplifies replay, great story, great music, short which makes it all the sweeter.”
“The soundtrack is subtle, intentional, and beautiful.”
“For the most part, the tracks sound like theme songs and backing music to 70s TV shows and cinema.”
“Music is fine but gets a little repetitive.”
“However, it has its drawbacks, and I'll narrow them down to two: the volume of the music is excessively high at certain moments, making it impossible to reduce, so be cautious about that. Additionally, there's an issue where certain events (whether musical, character interactions/conversations, etc.) get stuck in an infinite loop when interacting with an object or repeatedly passing through the same area, disrupting the immersive atmosphere the game creates.”
- humor66 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its clever writing, engaging dialogue, and memorable character interactions, often eliciting genuine laughter from players. Reviewers highlight the balance of wit and charm, with many noting the game's ability to blend humor with meaningful storytelling and unexpected twists. Overall, the humor is described as smart, entertaining, and integral to the game's appeal, making it a standout feature that enhances the overall experience.
“I found myself laughing out loud multiple times during my playthrough.”
“The humorous and enjoyable conversations between the two main characters and the antagonists add depth and entertainment to the narrative, showcasing the developers' dedication to storytelling.”
“It's charming, funny, subversive, and just plain interesting.”
- optimization44 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 39 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant stuttering, frame rate drops, and audio issues, particularly during cutscenes. While some users experienced minimal performance problems, others noted severe optimization flaws, including high CPU/GPU utilization and memory leaks, which detracted from the overall experience. Despite these issues, the game's art direction and voice performances were praised, suggesting that while the gameplay may suffer, the narrative and character portrayals remain strong.
“The only real issue is that the optimization on Steam Deck, which is a shame since it's perfect for the deck.”
“Performance is mostly fine.”
“The voice cast was amazing and their performance lent a wealth of emotion and life to this game's story.”
“There are a number of issues related to stuttering or frame rate drops in early-game cutscenes, a frustrating doubling or overlapping of voicelines, and a massive number of issues with the subtitles.”
“The game is fun and interesting but no matter what graphical or display options I choose, the game plays with a constant and extreme stuttering with another constant problem of barely being able to show most background images.”
“Sadly, there is one area where its job is less than adequate, and that is performance.”
- atmosphere16 mentions
- 69 % positive mentions
- 13 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its engaging and immersive qualities, enhanced by stunning visuals and a unique aesthetic that blends 1970s influences with a retro-futuristic vibe. While the atmosphere contributes significantly to the overall enjoyment, some players noted that certain gameplay issues can disrupt this immersive experience. Overall, the combination of art direction, music, and storytelling creates a captivating environment that resonates with both casual and serious gamers.
“The game's aesthetic, a mix of 1970s and Fallout influences with a touch of 'The Truman Show,' works exceptionally well, creating an engaging and immersive atmosphere.”
“Fun, fast-paced, and atmospheric, with a quirky 70's retro-future vibe which is definitely worth playing for both serious and casual gamers.”
“Very enjoyable game with a really pretty art style - the atmosphere is great!”
“Angela's fun, chaotic, and her game sections aren't the 2.5D of Trevor's runny nonsense but puzzle solvers in the first-person, reminiscent in control (though certainly not in atmosphere) of something like Call of the Sea.”
“It breaks the atmosphere of the 70s like a giant rock breaks a perfect sculpture made of glass.”
“The atmosphere of the game also keeps you in the game.”
- replayability16 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is generally considered low, with many players noting that once the story is fully revealed, there is little incentive to replay it. While some appreciate the engaging narrative that may prompt a second playthrough, the lack of significant gameplay variations or features like a skip command diminishes its replay value. Players suggest that the game is best enjoyed in a single playthrough, with limited reasons to return afterward.
“This replayability adds to the game's overall appeal.”
“It has pretty good replay value, which is a plus.”
“Limited replay value once you know the story beats but definitely worth the price of admission for the single playthrough.”
“The only downside is that there is pretty much zero replayability.”
“Interesting story, but having revealed it completely, low replay value.”
“The replay value is pretty low and it's pretty short, so that's a bit sad.”
- emotional14 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by superb voice acting and a captivating, heartwarming story that evokes a range of feelings, from laughter to tears. Players appreciate the depth of character relationships, particularly the friendship between Angela and Trevor, which adds genuine human concern to the narrative. Overall, the combination of fantastic writing, beautiful visuals, and a moving soundtrack creates a deeply engaging emotional experience.
“The voice acting is superb, bringing the characters to life with excellent delivery of jokes and emotional moments alike.”
“Every screen is gorgeous, the writing is fantastic, and the soundtrack made me cry while playing.”
“Angela and Trevor's friendship was so compelling and heartwarming, and their banter was very funny; you can tell that they come to really care about each other.”
- grinding12 mentions
- 8 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 92 % negative mentions
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, with many citing uninteresting puzzles and repetitive gameplay that detracts from the overall experience. While some enjoy the story and certain puzzles, the frequent interruptions and lack of engaging mechanics lead to a sense of busywork that hampers enjoyment. A few players, however, appreciate well-designed puzzles that avoid this tedium, suggesting a mixed reception regarding the grinding elements.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“To many tedious puzzles that plague and ruin the game experience.”
“Unfortunately, the game design is constantly working against this story with uninteresting puzzles and gameplay that crosses into the realm of tedious busywork at times.”
“Despite the entertainment value, the game is marred by lackluster and tedious puzzles, extended run scenes that fail to leave a significant impact, and a narrative that lacks player engagement.”
- stability9 mentions
- 11 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 89 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is characterized by minor glitches and occasional freezes, with some players experiencing crashes that necessitate restarts. While these technical issues are noticeable, they are generally not game-breaking and can often be resolved with quick saves. Despite the bugs, many players still find the game enjoyable and recommend it for its engaging story and charm.
“The game isn't too buggy, with the few bugs I ran into, such as NPCs getting stuck or running faster than they should, being fixed with a simple reload of a quick save.”
“I ran into two freezes that required restarting the game; other than that, it was perfect!”
“Overall, 9 out of 10 for me, minus one for one crash and minor glitches.”
“My worst criticism of the game is how buggy it is - I faced five bugs during my playthrough.”
- character development4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Reviewers praise "American Arcadia" for its strong character development, highlighting the game's engaging narrative and moral messages. While some noted a visual inconsistency between the environments and character designs, the overall character arcs and depth contribute significantly to the game's appeal, making it a standout in narrative design.
“I enjoyed every moment of this game. I hugely appreciate the love that went into the visual design, the puzzles, the sense of exploration, and the character development, along with the moral messages. I finished the game and immediately jumped online to see if I could find some merch to remember it by.”
“It has a great story, innovative gameplay, great character development, and the art design fits it well!”
“I was actually a little split on American Arcadia's visuals, with the downside being, in my view, the lack of consistency between the lush environments and the simplified character designs.”
“American Arcadia is a master class in gaming narrative design and character development.”
Critic Reviews
American Arcadia | UNITING PLAYER VOICES
In a landscape saturated with gaming options, American Arcadia stands tall as a beacon of originality and excellence. American Arcadia is more than a recommendation; it’s a mandatory sojourn into the heart of dystopian gaming brilliance. Step into the unknown, where every decision echoes through the corridors of a metropolis that conceals as much as it reveals.
85%American Arcadia [PC] | REVIEW
I loved American Arcadia, with the zany narrative and clever blend of 2.5D platforming and first-person puzzling making for a unique and memorable experience. There are plenty of twists in the comical narrative to keep players wholly invested in Trevor and Angela’s plight, whilst you’re constantly put into creative scenarios that’ll test both your platforming and puzzling skills. You’ve got to be on the ball if you want to succeed in your journey, and whilst there were a few puzzles that fell short of the mark, I found it hard to put the controller down when playing. American Arcadia is just really, REALLY good and definitely stands out as one of the best platforming-puzzlers that I’ve played this year.
90%American Arcadia Review
With a strong atmosphere, interesting story, and engaging but fairly simple mix of puzzle and platforming gameplay, American Arcadia makes for a memorable place to visit - and escape from.
75%
