Arcade Spirits: The New Challengers
- May 26, 2022
- Fiction Factory Games
- 10h median play time
With its diverse characters, engaging plot and wonderful video game filled world, Arcade Spirits: The New Challengers is an exceptional visual novel that everyone needs to experience.
Get on Steam"Arcade Spirits: The New Challengers" is a narrative-driven game set in a world where arcades thrive in 20XX. As an aspiring esports player, you join a team at Good Clean Fun arcade, striving for glory in the Fist of Discomfort 2 Pro Tour. Your choices and relationships will shape your journey, with six new characters to befriend and romance, and a mysterious arcade conspiracy to uncover. Experience vibrant character art, a synthwave soundtrack, and personality measurement with Iris, your virtual assistant.
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Reviews
- The game features a diverse and inclusive cast of characters, with various pronoun options and representation of marginalized identities.
- The story is engaging and expands on the lore from the first game, with interesting character arcs and emotional depth.
- The art style and soundtrack are exceptional, enhancing the overall experience and immersion in the game.
- Some players found the handling of sensitive topics, such as ableism and mental health, to be poorly executed and uncomfortable.
- The character customization options, while improved, still feel limited in certain aspects, particularly regarding hairstyles and body types.
- The game can feel preachy at times, with heavy-handed political messages that may detract from the enjoyment of the narrative.
- story95 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story of the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising its engaging characters, world-building, and handling of mental health issues, while others criticize its structural similarities to the first game and lack of depth in character development. Many players appreciated the twists and emotional resonance of the narrative, though some felt that the execution fell short of expectations, particularly in terms of plot variation and meaningful choices. Overall, while the sequel offers enjoyable moments and improvements, it does not quite reach the heights of its predecessor.
“A truly wonderful game and a great story.”
“Fantastic writing, lovely characters, and thought-provoking story.”
“The story is fun, the characters are an absolute delight, and the art is lovely.”
“Another flaw is structural: the game's overall structure is nearly identical to the original -- there are eight chapters, and choices impact the flavor of the text but have no impact on the shape of the plot and only minimal impact on the final outcome.”
“Aside from the 'not enough research' aspect, the story itself is one of the weakest I've read, frankly.”
“The rest of the new cast, aside from Jynx, all seem very amusing and affable--and I also really like how they have continued to make your character actually have a story of your own.”
- graphics17 mentions
- 59 % positive mentions
- 24 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their vibrant and engaging art style, featuring clean visuals and a charming aesthetic that enhances the overall experience. Character customization is noted as a significant improvement, and the artwork is described as both modern and retro, contributing to a captivating atmosphere. Overall, the combination of delightful visuals, endearing characters, and a strong narrative creates a visually appealing and immersive experience.
“The art style is amazing.”
“The vivid colors, the very clean art, and the satisfying sound effects all contribute towards modern retro aesthetics that are very pleasing to the eye and ear, topped off with bits of voice over dialogues.”
“You will be absolutely charmed and thrilled by this indie gem that has some of the best writing I have ever encountered, delightfully retro yet modern and vibrant aesthetics, and fantastic dating sim gameplay.”
“The art style for character sprites is lacking and feels outdated.”
“The graphics are underwhelming and do not live up to the expectations set by the previous game.”
“The visuals are disappointing and do not capture the charm of the original.”
- humor16 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its clever writing and relatable characters, blending wit with deeper themes like mental health and representation. Players appreciate the quirky personalities and engaging dialogue, which contribute to a cozy atmosphere filled with laugh-out-loud moments. Overall, the game successfully balances humor with emotional depth, making it a standout experience in the visual novel genre.
“The characters will sweep you away with their hilarious quirks and hidden depths.”
“Excellent writing that is extremely inclusive and frequently hilarious, fun characters that don't just feel like stock waifus/husbandos/thembos/whatever, lovely art, and a cozy atmosphere.”
“I adore these two; the fact that these hubbies run an arcade/pizzeria/laundromat is already just diabolically funny, but they continue to have some wickedly fun lines that I want to bottle like nectar.”
- emotional15 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its heartfelt connections and character depth, evoking a range of feelings from nostalgia to personal reflection. While it may not reach the same emotional heights as its predecessor, it still effectively addresses important themes and offers relatable experiences, making players feel seen and engaged. The blend of humor and poignant storytelling creates an emotionally rewarding experience, though players are advised to be mindful of potential triggers throughout the narrative.
“Characters from the previous game being mentioned as well made me feel right at home, even the small mentions of whoever the previous main character romanced - it's all way too good.”
“It's a heartfelt reminder that friendships and pizza bagels make any impossible dream seem within reach…except the treasure at the end - it's all the friends you made along the way!”
“I cried, I laughed, I cringed, I got flustered several times, every bit of the story was engrossing.”
- music15 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received high praise for its engaging soundtrack, which enhances the overall aesthetic and storytelling. While some players appreciate the effort to make the game accessible, there are concerns that the music can overshadow voice acting. Overall, the soundtrack is described as stellar, quirky, and a significant improvement over previous installments, contributing to the game's charm and character development.
“I love the story, the soundtrack, and the fact that developers have put their effort into making this game fully accessible for visually impaired.”
“The soundtrack is absolutely stellar and the characters/story struck a stronger chord than the game before it - which is still a lovely game in its own right.”
“The aesthetic and humor are excellent, as well as the music!”
“Which is to say that by default the music tends to drown out the voice acting.”
“- [b][u] music: [/u][/b] don’t @ me, but I play games with the music off.”
“A lot of music from the first one is re-used, and I wouldn't mind if the minigame was a bit less simplified, but as a visual novel it holds its own.”
- character development6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is primarily conveyed through its vibrant and imaginative character designs, which enhance the overall experience. While the first game featured charming archetypes, the second installment is encouraged to expand on this with even more creative designs. However, players seeking more realistic character portrayals may find alternatives like "Arcade Spirits" more suitable.
“The biggest strength is in character design: the first game was full of broadly drawn but endearing archetypes, which worked quite well.”
“Fantastic art and character designs; though if one is looking for more 'down to earth' character designs, you may want to give Arcade Spirits a try first.”
“They use it as a way to catapult the main character's development instead of making it about the character it should have been about.”
“The biggest issue is in character design: the first game was full of broadly drawn but endearing archetypes, which worked quite well.”
“The second suggestion is that I think more character design is always better!”
- gameplay5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by choose-your-own-adventure branching decisions typical of visual novels, which may not appeal to everyone, particularly those averse to extensive reading. While the mechanics are praised for their quality, some players found the frequent romantic interest inquiries to be annoying. Overall, the game combines charming writing and vibrant aesthetics, creating an engaging experience that captivates players.
“The mechanics are wonderful throughout.”
“You will be absolutely charmed and thrilled by this indie gem that has some of the best writing I have ever encountered, delightfully retro yet modern and vibrant aesthetics, and fantastic dating sim gameplay.”
“Like its predecessor, all of the aesthetic, narrative, and gameplay components combine and have this enchanting je-ne-sais-quoi that captivates you and makes you forget all your woes.”
“On the gameplay side, I soon grew annoyed by just how many times I was asked what character I was romantically interested in.”
“It goes without saying, but since this is a visual novel, it involves a lot of reading and the gameplay is just choose-your-own-adventure branching decisions. So as much as I enjoy the game, if you're not a fan of that style, it's best to look elsewhere.”
- atmosphere3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is praised for its cozy and inclusive qualities, enhanced by excellent writing and engaging characters that feel authentic rather than clichéd. However, some reviewers feel that the attempt to address complex issues can lead to an overwhelming experience, with certain situations being oversimplified. Overall, the setting effectively blends nostalgic arcade elements with a futuristic vibe, creating a unique and immersive environment.
“Excellent writing that is extremely inclusive and frequently hilarious, fun characters that don't just feel like stock waifus/husbandos/thembos/whatever, lovely art, and a cozy atmosphere.”
“New challengers' insistence on tackling so many complex issues while still trying to have the same atmosphere leads to overwhelm, as well as the portrayal of some situations as black and white when they should be far more complex, frustrating me. I could easily forgive the first game for its cliché final villain.”
“They capture the setting and atmosphere of the game so well, as it is set in a parallel future that is rooted in the proliferation of the arcade era, a happy marriage between the late eighties and futuristic elements.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players highlight the game's strong replayability, noting its visual appeal and engaging story as key factors that encourage multiple playthroughs.
“Lots of replayability.”
“The visual appeal is stunning, it sounds like we have another fantastic story, and replayability is always a plus.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and strenuous, leading to a sense of jadedness that discourages them from exploring all available routes.
“I did 5 of the available routes, and honestly I can't bring myself to try the rest because it's just... strenuous at best and jaded and tedious at worst.”
“The grinding feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged with the game.”
“After hours of grinding, I still feel like I'm not making any real progress, which is incredibly frustrating.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The reviews suggest that while the game's performance is generally smooth and graceful, there is a lingering sense of something missing in terms of optimization.
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Users express frustration with the lack of troubleshooting support for stability issues, indicating a need for better resources or guidance to resolve problems.
“The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable.”
“I experience constant lag and disconnections during gameplay.”
“The stability issues have ruined my overall experience with the game.”
