Arcanium: Rise of Akhan

Arcanium: Rise of Akhan is a good deck building roguelike, but the complexity and difficulty make it hard to recommend to all but the most hardcore.

79%Game Brain Score

gameplay, graphics

stability, grinding

81% User Score Based on 596 reviews

Critic Score 65%Based on 1 reviews

Platforms

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About

Arcanium: Rise of Akhan is a single player role playing game with a fantasy theme. It was developed by Supercombo, Inc. and was released on September 21, 2022. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

"Arcanium: Rise of Akhan" is a turn-based tactical RPG set in a dark fantasy world. Assemble a party of heroes, each with unique abilities and gear, to defeat enemies and bosses in tactical combat. Explore a procedurally generated world filled with quests, loot, and permadeath, challenging you to make every decision count.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

+12

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81%

Audience ScoreBased on 596 reviews

gameplay71 positive mentions

stability12 negative mentions

Fun and interesting map-exploration and strategy roguelike with RPG-style progression.
Well-designed content with tons of characters and cards to explore.
Unique mechanics with three heroes, each having their own deck, allowing for diverse strategies.

Very slow gameplay due to slow UI and large map design, making it hard to complete multiple runs in one session.
Some characters and mechanics feel unbalanced, leading to a lack of motivation to explore all options.
Card and deck management can be frustrating, with issues like card sorting and organization.

gameplay
189 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
60%
2%
The gameplay of the game is characterized by a mix of distinct hero characters, each with unique mechanics, which adds depth and variety to the experience. While many players appreciate the intricate and engaging gameplay loop, some criticize it for being cluttered and overwhelming due to the numerous systems and mechanics involved. Overall, the game offers a solid blend of strategy and deck-building elements, though it may require a learning curve for new players to fully grasp its complexities.
- “Major advantage of this game - really distinct hero characters with different gameplay mechanics behind them.”
- “Once the numerous systems click into place, the gameplay ramps up with a lot of variety of play and customization.”
- “The gameplay loop is refreshingly intricate and so well-designed that even an experienced deck-building veteran would be stalled while they learn the mechanics.”
- “Designers didn't know when to stop adding 'stuff', and the gameplay is cluttered as a result.”
- “But the card gameplay and deckbuilding is just so incredibly shallow.”
- “The gameplay is also quite forgiving, in that you have plenty of options on where to move, since the progression is related to exploring a map and dealing with the different threats there.”
graphics
64 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
32%
5%
The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their vibrant and charming art style, with many users noting the smooth performance at 60fps and appealing character designs. While the visuals are generally described as beautiful and engaging, some critiques mention a lack of clarity in animations and UI elements. Overall, the game's aesthetic is considered a strong point, contributing to an enjoyable and immersive experience.
- “The art style is very clean and cute, the character designs are fun and unique, the sound effects are all satisfying, and the music is well done.”
- “The graphics are crisp and quite appealing.”
- “The art is vibrant and detailed, with a clean and interesting overall aesthetic.”
- “Quickly, the aesthetics of the game are wonky for a 1.0 release.”
- “The UI somehow got worse and animations/graphics/overall aesthetics took a nosedive.”
- “I bought it, but its graphics settings were broken so I couldn't run it properly without my computer overheating; I will wait until this game gets more polished so I can actually play it.”
story
39 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
71%
8%
The game's story has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it weak, generic, and lacking depth, particularly due to its condensed campaign format. While some appreciate the potential for rich lore and character backstories, others feel that the narrative elements are an afterthought and do not significantly enhance the gameplay experience. Overall, there is a consensus that improving the story could elevate the game, as it currently lacks the engaging narrative that would encourage players to pursue multiple runs.
- “Because there will always be heroes willing to face the darkness and rid the world of evil, and this is where your story begins…”
- “The story is the perfect balance of fantasy and critical decisions.”
- “I really enjoyed this game, the mechanics, content, and story.”
- “Sure, there are harder difficulties and each run would be different, but having no goal to work towards, like Act 4 in Slay the Spire or finishing the story like in Chrono Ark, makes the game rather shallow and doesn't make me want to do 'one more run.'”
- “The writing/story feels like an afterthought, and it feels very much like an incomplete early access game.”
- “The lore is useless in most cases and adds nothing to the story whatsoever.”
replayability
35 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
60%
9%
Overall, the game exhibits high replayability due to its diverse character roster, unlockable elements, and strong synergy mechanics, with runs lasting between 30-90 minutes. While many players appreciate the variety and potential for new strategies, some express concerns about limited replayability after reaching higher difficulty levels or completing certain challenges. Despite these critiques, the game's engaging mechanics and ongoing development suggest that replay value may improve over time.
- “Very strong synergy mechanics, replayability with increasing difficulty levels and unlocks, good art/music.”
- “✔️ A lot of replayability thanks to the vast character roster and a lot of unlockable elements.”
- “The multitude of mechanics allow for a lot of replayability as you try out new combinations of cards to find what synergies work best.”
- “Only downside is once you've beaten apex difficulty and arena (both aren't that hard) there isn't much replayability.”
- “Right now the replayability is limited and you probably won't sink in more than 10 hours into this, but with the roadmap the way it looks at the moment, this number will definitely go way up in the future.”
- “At current date, it doesn't have much to offer in terms of replay value, but the core mechanics are solid and the dev team is extremely active and receptive of feedback on Discord.”
music
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
70%
20%
10%
The music in the game is generally praised for its high quality, with many reviewers noting its orchestration and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere. While some find it a bit generic, it is still considered enjoyable and well-executed, complementing the game's aesthetic and gameplay experience. Overall, the soundtrack contributes positively to the game's appeal, despite a few mixed opinions.
- “The soundtrack and general audio are of exceptionally high quality.”
- “The audio is crisp and well-executed to provide the perfect combination of ambience and effect, and pretty much the entirety of the soundtrack is a consistent and beautifully orchestrated set piece.”
- “The game is aesthetically pleasing, includes a good deal of lore and has a good soundtrack.”
- “The music is a bit generic, although it doesn't tire the listener.”
- “There's dramatic music.”
stability
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
92%
The game's stability has been a common point of contention among users, with many noting that it remains buggy and glitchy despite being in early access for some time. While some players have experienced a relatively bug-free experience, the consensus is that the game still requires significant fixes and improvements. Overall, while the core gameplay is praised, the presence of persistent bugs detracts from the overall experience.
- “Overall, it has been a bug-free experience in my limited time playing.”
- “The game runs smoothly without any crashes or major issues.”
- “I appreciate how stable the gameplay is; it allows me to fully immerse myself in the experience.”
- “However, the game is still a buggy mess.”
- “Gave it a couple tries but it was broken and buggy and had very little content.”
- “So it's more buggy than a STS mod too.”
grinding
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The grinding aspect of the game is a mixed bag; while players appreciate the option to select difficulty levels, many find the grind necessary for achieving 100% completion and unlocking all characters to be tedious and time-consuming. The need to build a decent deck from subpar starter cards adds to the grind, making runs feel repetitive and less enjoyable. Overall, while the game has its merits, a reduction in grind could enhance the experience significantly.
- “Very grindy if you want to 100% achievements as lots of heroes and two modes you need to grind through to get all of them, but besides that, I would recommend this one.”
- “The only big negative I have is that runs are a bit grindy as starter cards are pretty trash, and you need to spend a lot of time on 'easy' battles to build your deck before you get to the point where everything is too easy.”
- “Pretty good game, though it could afford to be a bit less grindy.”
character development
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
86%
14%
Character development in the game is highlighted by its clean and unique character designs, which are complemented by vibrant colors and engaging artwork. Players appreciate the fun and satisfying abilities associated with the characters, contributing to an immersive experience that keeps them engaged for hours. Overall, the character design is a standout feature that enhances the game's appeal.
- “The art style is very clean and cute, the character designs are fun and unique, the sound effects are all satisfying, the music is well done.”
- “The character designs and artwork are great, the abilities and effects are fun and unique, and the game is engaging.”
- “The vibrant colors and interesting character designs make it easy to stay in the world of Arcanium for hours on end.”
optimization
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
20%
40%
Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while it performs well on the Steam Deck at 1280x800 and 60 fps with minimal graphical issues, some users experience slow performance and bugs on other systems. Improvements in loading times are noted, but further optimization is needed for a smoother experience across all platforms.
- “With the game running at 1280x800 and set to a framerate of 60 fps, I saw little to no issues with the deck's performance, and there were no major or minor graphical concerns to report.”
- “I am referring to core gameplay development; they have done great work with the performance side - loading times for new seeds are greatly reduced.”
- “It quickly feels like a chore, so you botch it, and this hurts your performance.”
- “While the game has some bugs and it runs slowly on my computer, the art is amazing, and when it's optimized better, it'll run better.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere in Arcanium is praised for its beauty, enhanced by a delightful soundtrack and immersive audio, creating a more engaging experience than similar games like Slay the Spire. Players appreciate the variety of activities and experiences available, deeming it well worth the price.
- “The atmosphere is good; much nicer than Slay the Spire.”
- “The tribulations aside for a moment, Arcanium is beautiful, with a delightful soundtrack and general atmospheric audio. There is plenty to do and experience here, and I would say it is well worth the price range.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Users express dissatisfaction with the game's advertising practices, indicating a desire for developers to address and improve their monetization strategies.
- “The monetization model feels overly aggressive and detracts from the overall experience.”
- “It's frustrating to see so many features locked behind paywalls, making it hard to enjoy the game fully without spending extra money.”
- “The constant push for in-game purchases disrupts the gameplay and makes it feel more like a cash grab than a fun experience.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is often highlighted through its quirky combinations and over-the-top mechanics, reminiscent of classic Diablo games. However, some players feel that certain features, like the hex aura, can overshadow the comedic elements by being overly powerful and unbalanced. Overall, while the humor is appreciated, it can sometimes be undermined by gameplay imbalances.

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65%Critics’ scoreBased on 1 critic reviews

Arcanium: Rise of Akhan review
Arcanium: Rise of Akhan is a good deck building roguelike, but the complexity and difficulty make it hard to recommend to all but the most hardcore.
Godisageek.com
65%

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8h Median play time

17h Average play time

5-50h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Arcanium: Rise of Akhan is a role playing game with fantasy theme.

Arcanium: Rise of Akhan is available on PC, Phone, iPad, Steam Deck and others.

On average players spend around 17 hours playing Arcanium: Rise of Akhan.

Arcanium: Rise of Akhan was released on September 21, 2022.

Arcanium: Rise of Akhan was developed by Supercombo, Inc..

Arcanium: Rise of Akhan has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its stability.

Arcanium: Rise of Akhan is a single player game.

Similar games include Gordian Quest, Roguebook, Across the Obelisk, Trials of Fire, SpellRogue and others.

Arcanium: Rise of Akhan

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