Arcade Spirits

87%
Game Brain Score Based on 755 reviews
  • story
  • emotional
  • graphics
Arcade Spirits Game Cover
A great visual novel, with intricate and interesting writing, a distinct and detailed artstyle and a catchy soundtrack. Well worth picking up for fans of the genre and newcomers alike
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"Arcade Spirits" is a romantic visual novel set in a timeline where the 1983 video game crash never happened. You work at the Funplex arcade, interacting with unique characters and exploring potential romances. Customize your character and make roleplaying-based choices to build relationships with seven romanceable characters.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Linux
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

87%
Audience ScoreBased on 755 reviews
story228 positive mentions
monetization4 negative mentions
  • The game features a diverse and inclusive cast of characters, allowing players to choose their pronouns and romance options freely.
  • The writing is clever and heartfelt, with a mix of humor and emotional depth that resonates with players.
  • The character customization, while limited, allows for some personal expression, and the overall art style is charming and vibrant.
  • The character customization options are somewhat limited, lacking more diverse body types and clothing choices.
  • Some voice acting performances are inconsistent, with certain characters feeling less polished than others.
  • The pacing can feel rushed at times, particularly in the later chapters, which may detract from character development.
  • story532 mentions

    The story of the game is widely praised for its compelling narrative, engaging characters, and emotional depth, often blending humor with heartfelt moments. While some players found the plot to be predictable or cliché at times, many appreciated the unique setting and the ability to make choices that impact the story's direction. Overall, it is described as a fun, relatable, and well-written experience that resonates with players, making it a standout in the visual novel genre.

    • “I felt like the story was really cool and not predictable or repetitive at all.”
    • “The story hits close to the heart, the characters pull you through heartaches, turmoil and love, which is much the same as real life.”
    • “The story is captivating, extremely unique, and really heartwarming throughout.”
    • “The story is too shallow and the writing too juvenile to be a visual novel, the dating mechanic too minimal to be a dating sim, and the choices too few to deserve the 'based on', especially when there's usually only one that doesn't lead to a game-over.”
    • “Sadly, the story has the same problem, nothing makes sense, it's trying too hard to be 'follow your dreams and everything will work out' inspiring, with a big dose of quirkiness for good measure.”
    • “I guess after writing this story they realized that nobody would be interested in this and they decided to trick players by advertising their boring product as a romance/dating sim game.”
  • emotional125 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised, with players noting the well-developed characters and heartfelt storytelling that evoke a range of feelings, from laughter to tears. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to create personal connections, making the experience feel intimate and relatable, while also addressing themes of friendship, love, and personal growth. Overall, the game is described as a heartwarming journey that resonates deeply with players, often leaving them emotionally drained yet fulfilled.

    • “The ending made me cry, and I can absolutely see myself playing through so I can reach every ending.”
    • “Well, this game made me cry after it ended - not because the ending was sad, it was beautiful - but because now that I was done with the game I wouldn't get to interact with the character I had been dating anymore, and it felt like I was actually breaking up with them.”
    • “This game is amazing, but it is also an absolute emotional roller coaster.”
  • graphics121 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their vibrant and charming art style, featuring colorful neon aesthetics that evoke a lively arcade atmosphere. While the character designs are generally well-received, some reviewers noted inconsistencies in character graphics and sprite representations. Overall, the visuals contribute significantly to the game's nostalgic and immersive experience, appealing to fans of retro and visual novel genres.

    • “The art style is very colorful, with tons of bright neon colors for how lively the city and the arcade is, and the designs of the main characters are very charming.”
    • “The art style is amazing!”
    • “If you love synthwave, are nostalgic for the 1980s, and have a soft spot for amazing and diverse characters with really aesthetically pleasing art (a mix of 2D characters over 3D modeled backgrounds), then this is the game for you.”
    • “The character graphics do feel a little inconsistent at times, like when a character's grin suddenly makes their mouth take up half their face.”
    • “I wish it was just a bit more consistent, especially with the player character, who can have an especially long, short, round, or angular face in different graphics.”
    • “The art style also feels a bit off.”
  • humor120 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mix of clever, relatable jokes and quirky references, often striking a balance between lightheartedness and deeper emotional moments. While many players find the writing genuinely funny and engaging, some jokes can feel forced or awkward, leading to a varied reception of the humor throughout the game. Overall, the humor is well-integrated into the narrative, enhancing the character-driven story and making it a memorable experience for fans of the visual novel and dating sim genres.

    • “A lovable cast, an incredible story, and hilarious lines along the way make this one of my favorite visual novels to date.”
    • “It's funny, has a great story, and great characters.”
    • “The game has a lot of strengths: a character-driven story, lots of insightful and funny dialogue, and various ways to customize how you play the game.”
    • “At times, the writing can be a bit uncomfortable, oddly placed, or generally not funny.”
    • “The humor often falls flat, leaving moments that should be funny feeling awkward instead.”
    • “There are instances where the jokes feel forced and fail to land, detracting from the overall experience.”
  • music95 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its vibrant and fitting soundtrack, which blends smooth jazz, synthwave, and retro arcade vibes, enhancing the overall experience. While some players noted issues with the volume balance between music and voice acting, the majority found the music to be lively, well-composed, and integral to the game's atmosphere. Overall, the soundtrack is considered one of the game's standout features, with many players expressing a desire to purchase it for further enjoyment.

    • “The music is lively and mellow, it's really well done and brings to life a lot of the scenes in the novel.”
    • “The music is the kind of smooth jazz-influenced synth wave that perfectly captures the feeling it’s going for.”
    • “The soundtrack is absolutely killer.”
    • “The music is so loud compared to anything else when you start the game and the sound effects overshadow the dialogue a lot.”
    • “This can be fixed easily in the menu, but I had to drag the music bar about halfway down just to get it to an average level. Have they not even started the game before publishing it?”
    • “The background music is very, very loud in comparison to the voice acting and noises.”
  • gameplay49 mentions

    The gameplay primarily revolves around reading and making dialogue choices, typical of visual novels, which may not appeal to everyone. While some mechanics, like the traits system, add depth to the roleplaying experience, many players feel that the overall gameplay lacks significant impact on the story and could benefit from additional mechanics or genre blending. Despite its simplicity, the game features well-written characters and engaging choices, making it enjoyable for fans of the genre.

    • “On the mechanical side, binding the usual three-choice-dialog system to the traits mechanic adds depth to the roleplaying; it makes each choice more interesting!”
    • “The game has a lot of interesting ideas that it introduces in order to have the relationship mechanics feel a bit unique.”
    • “In a world of video games that are pumped out like so much factory and committee-made boredom, 'Arcade Spirits' provides the player with compelling characters, gameplay, and narrative that makes you forget how much time you've been playing.”
    • “Gameplay-wise, it’s a lot of reading and clicking dialogue options, which definitely isn’t everybody’s cup of tea!”
    • “There’s not a lot of actual gameplay; like I said, it’s mostly reading and dialogue options, so there aren’t a lot of skills related to the game.”
    • “No real impact on the story; it adds only a handful of dialogue options and additional filler scenes. Apart from that, it's a useless, underdeveloped mechanic.”
  • character development37 mentions

    Character development in the game is praised for its engaging writing and diverse cast, featuring strong LGBTQ+ representation and a fun point system for personality development. While the character designs are consistently highlighted as excellent and varied, some players feel that the romantic routes overshadow individual character arcs. Overall, the game is recognized for its solid character development and enjoyable aesthetics, making it a well-executed visual novel experience.

    • “Fun character designs, a varied and fascinating cast, good drama in the character writing, and a fun and uplifting plot!”
    • “I've been enjoying the character development as well and the point system for developing your personality is a cool feature.”
    • “Overall it's a well-executed visual novel, with a good story, solid character development, writing, and humor that's appropriately subtle and enjoyable.”
    • “The romantic routes kind of take a back seat to the main plot, making the individual character developments less noteworthy.”
    • “Small complaint about your character design: I'm all for androgyny, but my character was so gender-neutral it was a little immersion-breaking for me.”
    • “I appreciate the non-binary character design option, but I do wish I had the option to customize my character to have just a few more feminine features.”
  • replayability30 mentions

    The game boasts exceptional replayability, with players highlighting the diverse character interactions, multiple romance arcs, and significant story branches that encourage multiple playthroughs. Many users report enjoying the unique choices that influence character development and plot outcomes, making it a compelling experience worth revisiting. While it offers a rich narrative for those who prefer a single playthrough, the depth and variety ensure that it remains engaging for players seeking to explore different routes.

    • “Replayability is excellent, characters are fun, the choices all make great variations.”
    • “I've enjoyed conversations with all the characters and to know that they're all unique and fun to explore makes it even more replayable.”
    • “I think the game has good replayability, there are lots of different options you can pick in each chapter which influence how your character develops, who your character likes, and what happens in the game itself.”
    • “Not surprisingly, the majority of the replay value in this type of visual novel is playing the various romance arcs to see what happens, but that depends on your preferences.”
  • atmosphere14 mentions

    The game excels in creating a nostalgic arcade atmosphere, enhanced by its engaging graphics, uplifting tunes, and clever sound design. Reviewers appreciate the art style and writing, noting that the atmosphere is intricately tied to the story, making it a standout experience in the visual novel genre. Overall, it is highly recommended for those who cherish retro gaming vibes.

    • “It's got good graphics, good story line, and an uplifting atmosphere.”
    • “The beeps and boops all further help build the game's atmosphere in a subtle but noteworthy way.”
    • “Great artwork, great atmosphere (really takes me back to the arcade days), great writing, and great pacing.”
  • optimization5 mentions

    The game's optimization is user-friendly, allowing players to easily adjust settings to suit their preferences without needing technical expertise. Overall, the performance is satisfactory, contributing to an enjoyable gaming experience.

    • “You don't have to be tech savvy to figure out how to get the game optimized for your personal tastes.”
    • “Other than that, the game's performance was fine.”
  • monetization4 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized for misleading advertising, presenting it as a romance/dating sim to attract players despite its lackluster content. Users noted the excessive use of flashy ads, which detracted from the overall experience.

    • “I guess after writing this story, they realized that nobody would be interested in this and decided to trick players by advertising their boring product as a romance/dating sim game.”
    • “It was really cool seeing flashing lights and changing ads.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect tedious due to the lack of a "skip to choice" option, which makes repetitive playthroughs necessary and can lead to fatigue from long sessions. This absence contributes to a frustrating experience, as users feel compelled to replay sections multiple times.

    • “I don't recall there being a 'skip to choice' button or similar, which makes this tedious. Even if I could skip, I would probably need to play it all over and over due to the breaks I would need after the long playthroughs.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

78% average critic score

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