Arcadie: Second-Born
- September 26, 2022
- Arcadie & Utopie
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Get on itch.io Store"Arcadie: Second-Born" is a single-player Fantasy Interactive Fiction game with an interesting plot and a wholesome story. As the second-born, you are responsible for future dealings with Arcadie's enemies during a peace treaty. Customize your character and interact with a cast of vivid characters to form romances and friendships, while making decisions that will impact the Kingdom's future.
Mac OS
PC
Web Browser
Windows
Reviews
- The story and writing are captivating, with well-developed characters and a rich narrative that keeps players engaged.
- The game offers meaningful choices that allow players to shape their character's personality and relationships, enhancing replayability.
- The romance options are well-paced and feel earned, providing emotional depth and connection to the characters.
- The ending feels abrupt and anticlimactic, leaving many plot threads unresolved and players wanting more closure.
- Some players feel that their choices lack significant impact on the overall story, leading to a sense of being on a linear path.
- There are occasional grammatical errors and awkward phrasing that detract from the overall experience.
- story454 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The story of the game is widely praised for its engaging writing, multi-dimensional characters, and emotional depth, drawing players into a captivating narrative filled with unexpected twists and meaningful choices. While some reviewers noted that the plot can feel cliched and lacks depth in certain areas, many found the character development and interactions to be the standout elements, making it a memorable experience. Overall, the game is recommended for fans of interactive fiction, with many players expressing a desire for sequels to explore unresolved plot threads.
“The story is phenomenal and the romance!”
“The pacing of the story was also good throughout, giving you chances to breathe and develop relationships and an understanding of the world between pitting you into frenetic, perilous circumstances that reach satisfying climaxes which build as they go.”
“I felt so many different emotions while playing this story and I am looking forward to playing it again!!”
“The story is rather cliche and lacks depth.”
“The game has a lot of choices that are impactful but its story has one critical problem: it's very cliched.”
“My interest diminished further when your choices didn’t seem to impact the ensuing narrative much unless you accidentally picked whatever aligned with the intended story, which, judging by my experience, I rarely did.”
- emotional44 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised, with players reporting a deep connection to the story and characters that elicits a range of feelings, from laughter to tears. Many highlight specific poignant moments that left them feeling heartbroken or fulfilled, particularly through well-crafted romances and character arcs. Overall, the writing is described as superb, creating an immersive experience that resonates long after the game is completed.
“It made me feel, it made me think, and it made me fall in love with the cast of characters.”
“The writing throughout the story was superb, kept me emotionally invested and held my attention for the entire sitting I played the game, meanwhile it didn't make me feel like I was just waiting for the next story progression point.”
“Been a huge fan of the demo since the beginning and seeing 'the end' felt incredibly surreal and bittersweet (I cried)... in the demo, the main character almost felt like a supporting character in their own story, but by the end my main character was able to come into their own in a way that felt completely natural and satisfying.”
- graphics22 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally considered basic and dated, with many reviewers noting a lack of visual flair or detailed artwork. While some appreciate the focus on narrative and character depth over impressive visuals, others express a desire for more graphical elements, such as character portraits, to enhance the experience. Overall, the game's charm lies in its storytelling rather than its graphics, making it more suitable for mobile platforms.
“Honestly, I can see this being open to more graphics and customization than the previous two; well done.”
“Though I will say this one gives you many more choices than the norm, and something about not having all that artwork to stare at but simply details being described to you adds to its charm.”
“Wonderfully written visuals and characters.”
“Visuals: na/10”
“My only complaint is that there is no graphics at all, which makes it more suitable for mobiles than a PC.”
“In a world where PC gaming no longer stands on the edge of the frontier in terms of innovative technology and ground-breaking graphics, games such as Arcadie and Second Born that take a more basic and dated approach to storytelling serve as a great reminder that the content and passion of a product is worth more than impressive graphics and immersion.”
- gameplay16 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The gameplay mechanics are well-received, particularly for their familiarity to fans of interactive fiction, featuring a highly praised save system that allows players to revisit choices without sacrificing the weight of decisions. The customization options for the main character enhance replayability, making it accessible and enjoyable for both newcomers and veterans of the genre. Overall, the gameplay is rated positively, with an 8/10 score reflecting its engaging design.
“I would highly recommend this to anyone, especially new players to interactive fiction. The ability to go back and save anywhere you want is a great mechanic.”
“The save system and back button is a huge gameplay feature I didn't know I wanted, letting you see what choice you feel comfortable with, without taking away hard decisions, which is a plus.”
“The gameplay mechanics are familiar for fans of the genre, resembling other interactive fiction titles.”
“The save system and back button is a huge gameplay feature I didn't know I wanted, letting you see what choice you feel comfortable with, without taking away hard decisions is a plus.”
“Because of how customizable the main character is, it has significant replayability, so it can offer hours of gameplay.”
- replayability14 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The game boasts high replayability, with multiple endings and customizable character options that encourage players to explore different routes and experiences. Reviewers highlight the engaging romance elements, noting that varying approaches to relationships further enhance replay value. Overall, it is rated highly for replayability, with scores around 8 to 10 out of 10.
“C's route has two types of romance: either direct or slow burn, so it's a good replayability to see how both differ.”
“Because of how customizable the main character is, it has significant replayability, offering hours of gameplay.”
“There's definitely replay value as well, since there are multiple potential endings and ways to get through the game.”
“As for replayability, my first playthrough took just over three hours to finish.”
“Because of how customizable the main character is, it has significant replayability, so it can offer hours of gameplay.”
- character development12 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The character development in the game is highly praised, with reviewers noting its depth and engaging interactions that enhance replayability. The dialogue and customization options contribute to a rich, immersive experience, making the characters feel relatable and well-crafted. Overall, the game stands out for its commitment to meaningful character growth, setting it apart from others in the genre.
“The story is fine even if it treads rather familiar ground, but its character development and interaction are where this work truly shines.”
“Indeed, the dialogue and character development are engaging enough that I have replayed the game/novel multiple times, much like rereading a favorite book.”
“Surprising depth and character development; Arcadie: Second-Born is a tale worth telling.”
“The story is fine even if it treads rather familiar ground, but its character development and interaction where this work truly shines.”
“I think she also does something that a lot of authors don't dare to do, or don't want to do, and that is to allow for character development.”
“Surprising depth and character development, Arcadie: Second-Born is a tale worth telling.”
- humor6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by a lighthearted approach, featuring a few amusing easter eggs and a relatable sense of uncertainty that resonates with players. While some may view the lack of consequences as a drawback, it contributes to the overall comedic tone, which is balanced with romance and mature themes.
“It's funny because this could be seen as a con rather than a pro, but I truly related to my character in that I felt out of my depth and unsure about what to do next for basically the entire run.”
“There's humor, romance, and mature scenes in tasteful proportions.”
“There are no consequences (other than a couple of funny Easter eggs) before the ending.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is polarizing; some players find the pervasive silence off-putting, while others enhance their experience by adding their own music, such as the Witcher 3 soundtrack, to deepen immersion.
“While I think some people might hate this and choose not to play due to the dead silence that persists throughout, I put on The Witcher 3 complete soundtrack, which in my opinion enhanced my immersion and the atmosphere.”
“While I think some people might hate this and choose to not play due to the dead silence that persists throughout, I put on the Witcher 3 complete soundtrack, which in my opinion enhanced my immersion and the atmosphere.”
- music2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's music has received mixed feedback, with some players finding the pervasive silence off-putting, while others enhance their experience by playing external soundtracks, such as The Witcher 3's, to improve immersion and atmosphere.
“While I think some people might hate this and choose to not play due to the dead silence that persists throughout, I put on The Witcher 3 complete soundtrack, which in my opinion enhanced my immersion and the atmosphere.”
“While I think some people might hate this and choose to not play due to the dead silence that persists throughout, I put on the Witcher 3 complete soundtrack, which in my opinion enhanced my immersion and the atmosphere.”
