American Arcadia

94%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,549 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
American Arcadia Game Cover
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.
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In "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
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

94%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,549 reviews
story639 positive mentions
optimization18 negative mentions
  • Engaging and well-crafted story with unexpected twists.
  • Beautiful art design and vibrant visuals that enhance the experience.
  • Strong voice acting that brings the characters to life.
  • Gameplay can feel simplistic and linear, often just moving right.
  • Some puzzles are frustrating and rely on trial-and-error.
  • Technical issues such as crashes and audio desynchronization detract from the experience.
  • story1,136 mentions

    The story of "American Arcadia" is widely praised for its engaging narrative, clever twists, and strong character development, drawing comparisons to "The Truman Show" and other media. Players appreciate the unique blend of 2D and 3D gameplay that enhances the storytelling experience, with many noting the excellent voice acting and immersive world-building. While some critiques mention predictability and pacing issues, the overall consensus is that the story is a compelling highlight that keeps players invested throughout the game.

    • “Go in with no spoilers and enjoy the incredible story, characters, and music of this gorgeous little masterpiece which, while it may be light on mechanics, is just brimming with entertainment at every turn.”
    • “The story is gripping and exceptionally well-paced, keeping you hooked with every twist and turn.”
    • “The story, gameplay, voice acting, puzzles - everything was just so nice and fresh.”
    • “The story is okay, a bit stretched out and not overly interesting, the characters a bit flat and uninteresting.”
    • “The story breaks down and doesn't make sense.”
    • “The story is the main focus of the game and it does most of it well.”
  • gameplay550 mentions

    The gameplay in "American Arcadia" is characterized by a blend of simple mechanics, primarily involving 2D side-scrolling platforming and first-person puzzle-solving, which some players find engaging while others deem it repetitive and lacking depth. The game effectively integrates its narrative with gameplay, using dual perspectives to enhance the experience, though many reviews note that the gameplay often serves as a vehicle for the story rather than a focal point. Overall, while the gameplay may not be groundbreaking, it is complemented by strong storytelling, beautiful visuals, and a captivating atmosphere, making it enjoyable for those who prioritize narrative over complex mechanics.

    • “Straightforward gameplay (no useless 'running around'), beautiful graphics, top-notch voice acting that carries the game along a well-crafted, intelligent and funny story.”
    • “The gameplay mixes 2D and 1st person perspectives in a creative way, and integrates them well within the puzzles.”
    • “The gameplay is fun, the story is engaging, and it is hilarious.”
    • “Gameplay is boring and annoying at most parts.”
    • “The only negative I have is that there hasn't been enough gameplay: there are a lot of cinematic scenes, the gameplay is often rudimentary, and the game doesn't have a single interesting puzzle or platforming section.”
    • “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.”
  • graphics261 mentions

    The graphics of "American Arcadia" have been widely praised for their vibrant, retro-futuristic aesthetic that effectively complements the game's narrative. Reviewers highlight the unique art style, colorful visuals, and meticulous design, creating an engaging atmosphere that enhances the overall experience. However, some users noted performance issues, including stuttering and optimization problems, which detracted from the otherwise stunning presentation.

    • “The visuals are beautifully crafted and fit perfectly with the overall theme of the game.”
    • “The art style feels like stepping into a vibrant, neon-soaked canvas.”
    • “The graphics are gorgeous and very stylized.”
    • “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 story, setting, gameplay mechanics, everything looks so good, but even with a decent computer and only medium graphics settings across the board it still ran very poorly.”
  • music106 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its ability to enhance the overall experience, with many reviewers praising its catchy and immersive soundtrack that complements the narrative and visuals. Tracks like "Don't Be a Fool" stand out, and the jazzy tunes effectively set the mood for various scenes, contributing to the game's unique atmosphere. While some noted minor issues with volume levels and repetitiveness, the overall consensus is that the music is a significant highlight, adding depth and enjoyment to the gameplay.

    • “The soundtrack even matches, with jazzy tunes that make you feel like you’re breaking out of corporate hell… in style.”
    • “The sound design and music also complement the visuals, creating an engaging atmosphere that enhances the narrative.”
    • “The music, graphics, and plot twists are so on-point and mesmerizing.”
    • “For the most part, the tracks sound like theme songs and backing music to 70s TV shows and cinema.”
    • “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.”
  • humor94 mentions

    The humor in "American Arcadia" is widely praised for its clever writing, engaging dialogue, and top-notch voice acting, which together create a funny and entertaining narrative. Players appreciate the balance of humor with emotional depth and plot twists, often finding themselves laughing out loud at the witty exchanges between characters and the satirical elements woven into the story. Overall, the game is described as a refreshing and enjoyable experience that successfully combines humor with compelling gameplay and storytelling.

    • “American Arcadia is brilliant, fun, at times hilarious, and full of delightful surprises from the first moment to after the credits roll.”
    • “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.”
    • “The comedic timing is brilliant, through genius call-back jokes, abrupt, almost documentary-style cuts to interviews providing humorous context, and other fourth wall-breaking gags that, given the overall subject matter, are as inspired as they are hilarious.”
  • optimization58 mentions

    The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant issues such as stuttering, frame rate drops, and memory leaks, particularly on the Steam Deck and PC. While some users experienced minimal performance problems, others found the constant stuttering and abrupt scene transitions to be deal-breakers, detracting from an otherwise engaging narrative and stellar voice performances. Overall, the game is praised for its artistic direction and storytelling, but the optimization shortcomings are a notable drawback.

    • “The only real issue is that the optimization on Steam Deck is a shame since it's perfect for the deck.”
    • “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, which doesn't make sense for it to run this hot, with it being neither CPU-intensive nor GPU-intensive.”
    • “There are some minor negatives (graphics could be better, optimization could be better), but they just cannot spoil one of the most entertaining games of the year!”
    • “The optimization on Steam Deck is a real issue, which is a shame since it's perfect for the device.”
    • “The game plays with constant and extreme stuttering, along with another persistent problem of barely being able to display most background images.”
    • “The optimization on PC is horrible; my PC runs super hot while playing the game, and it doesn't make sense for it to run this hot, given that it's neither CPU-intensive nor GPU-intensive.”
  • replayability23 mentions

    Overall, the game has been noted for its minimal replayability, with many reviewers highlighting it as a one-time experience that is enjoyable but lacks incentives for multiple playthroughs. While some players found value in revisiting the story or achieving completionist goals, the consensus is that the game offers little in terms of replay value, primarily due to its short length and the absence of features that encourage repeated play.

    • “I have no regrets, and despite the limited replayability of puzzle games, I've found myself replaying it for the story alone.”
    • “This replayability adds to the game's overall appeal.”
    • “It has pretty good replay value, which is a plus.”
    • “The game’s replayability is minimal, making it more of a pleasant one-time experience.”
    • “The only downside is that there is pretty much zero replayability.”
    • “Limited replay value once you know the story beats but definitely worth the price of admission for the single playthrough.”
  • atmosphere22 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its stunning visuals, engaging sound design, and a unique blend of retro-futuristic aesthetics reminiscent of the 1970s and 80s. Reviewers highlight how the atmosphere enhances the narrative, creating an immersive experience, although some note that certain gameplay elements can disrupt this immersion. Overall, the combination of art direction, music, and storytelling contributes to a captivating and enjoyable atmosphere.

    • “The sound design and music also complement the visuals, creating an engaging atmosphere that enhances the narrative.”
    • “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.”
    • “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.”
  • emotional18 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by well-developed characters and genuine interactions that evoke laughter and tears. While the voice acting is mostly praised for its depth and delivery, some scenes fall short in emotional resonance. Overall, the story is described as riveting and heartwarming, with compelling themes and a strong connection between characters that enhances the player's emotional experience.

    • “The characters are well-developed, and their interactions feel genuine and heartfelt.”
    • “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.”
  • grinding17 mentions

    Overall, reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is often perceived as tedious and frustrating, with many players finding the puzzles and gameplay mechanics to be repetitive and lacking engagement. While some enjoyed the story and found certain puzzles rewarding, the general consensus highlights that the game suffers from excessive busywork and poorly designed mechanics that detract from the overall experience.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “While a refreshing take, I did find some of these to be rather forced due to how slow and tedious the back-and-forth mechanics were in order to pad out the pace.”
    • “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.”
  • stability13 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is characterized by minor glitches and occasional freezes, particularly on the Steam Deck, which can disrupt gameplay but are generally not game-breaking. While some players experienced noticeable technical issues, such as NPCs getting stuck and graphical glitches, most found that these did not significantly detract from the overall experience. Despite these imperfections, many reviewers still recommend the game for its engaging story and charm.

    • “The whole thing runs great on the Steam Deck, too.”
    • “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 played this 100% on Steam Deck and there were glitches in transitional phases that just stopped the game from loading or progressing further.”
    • “I ran into two freezes that required restarting the game; other than that, it was perfect!”
    • “My worst criticism of the game is how buggy it is - I faced five bugs during my playthrough.”
  • character development6 mentions

    Character development in American Arcadia is praised for its depth and integration with the game's narrative, enhancing the overall immersive experience. While the character designs are charming and relatable, some players noted a lack of consistency between the detailed environments and the simplified character visuals. Overall, the game is celebrated for its innovative storytelling and the emotional resonance of its characters.

    • “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.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game is not directly addressed in the provided text, focusing instead on the narrative style, which incorporates documentary-like clips to convey lore and ideas. Therefore, no specific insights on monetization can be drawn from this review.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

84% average critic score

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Play time

8hMedian play time
7hAverage play time
6-9hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 16 analyzed playthroughs

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