Arcus

About

Arcus is a single player shooter game with fantasy and anime themes. It was developed by LWMedia and was released on December 31, 2020. It received very positive reviews from players.

"Arcus" is a fantasy action game now available on PC, where failure is a part of the story. Players aim and fire arrows, and swing swords at enemies while solving the mystery of a new undead skeleton faction in a land where magic is forbidden. Resources can be spent between missions to buy special arrow types and increase chances of success.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

92%

Audience ScoreBased on 71 reviews

story8 positive mentions

stability5 negative mentions

Arcus features a charming visual style and engaging gameplay that combines archery and melee combat, providing a unique twist on the tower defense genre.
The game offers a compelling story with emotional depth, enhanced by well-crafted cutscenes and character interactions that resonate with players.
Despite its short playtime, Arcus delivers a satisfying experience with a variety of gameplay mechanics and a high level of re-playability, encouraging players to experiment with different strategies.

The gameplay can become repetitive, especially in later stages, as players may find themselves relying on similar strategies and builds.
There are notable bugs and technical issues, such as problems with achievements and occasional camera glitches during combat, which can detract from the overall experience.
The graphics and sound design may feel simplistic or dated, which could disappoint players expecting higher production values from a modern game.

story
45 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
75%
7%
The game's story has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its depth and emotional impact, particularly in the final moments, while others criticize it as shallow and poorly integrated with the gameplay. Many reviewers noted the potential for a richer narrative experience, suggesting that the storytelling could benefit from more character development and world-building. Overall, while the story may not be groundbreaking, it has resonated with some players, making it a highlight for those who appreciate narrative in gaming.
- “Entered because of the cute visual style and nice tower-defense mechanic, stayed because of a good story, great lore, and what's previously mentioned.”
- “The story, especially the last cutscene and the swell of music, was utterly glorious.”
- “Overall, while this game has admittedly simple gameplay, the plot is amazing and it is worth playing for that alone.”
- “There's some backstory and an attempt to bolt a narrative onto the shallow gameplay, but it all falls flat.”
- “A bad story attached to a great game can still do well, but a great story attached to a terrible game is still going to fail... and here we have a bad story and a terrible game.”
- “There is something resembling a story, but you have to connect the dots between those, as there is very little text and characters mostly mumble.”
gameplay
29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
56%
10%
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with many players noting its simplicity and repetitiveness, particularly in the tower defense mechanics and sword fighting. While some found the core mechanics fun and satisfying, especially in the context of the game's narrative and world-building, others felt that the limited scenarios and lack of variety detracted from the overall experience. Overall, the gameplay is seen as serviceable but overshadowed by the game's storytelling and charm.
- “Entered because of the cute visual style and nice tower-defense mechanic, stayed because of a good story, great lore, and what's previously mentioned.”
- “The melee mechanic keeps you hooked for the short 1-2 hour playthrough.”
- “Overall, while this game has admittedly simple gameplay, the plot is amazing and it is worth playing for that alone.”
- “I think some effort went into the visuals, but it's wasted effort given how mediocre the game looks, and unfortunately the gameplay is even worse, with only 6 scenarios, and none of them interesting.”
- “There's some backstory and an attempt to bolt a narrative onto the shallow gameplay, but it all falls flat.”
- “The gameplay itself is standard affair, nothing-special-to-see-here tower defense.”
graphics
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
56%
19%
The graphics of the game are generally described as low-quality, stylized, and cartoony, with a mix of simple details that may not satisfy players seeking higher visual fidelity. While some users appreciate the art style and specific sequences that utilize lighting effectively, others criticize the overall execution as mediocre and inconsistent. Overall, the visuals are functional but lack the polish expected from a top-tier title.
- “This game is fantastic, very lovely art style and designs.”
- “Just enough depth to keep it interesting for the time you'll likely be playing it, and wonderful visuals.”
- “I think some effort went into the visuals, but it's wasted effort given how mediocre the game looks, and unfortunately the gameplay is even worse, with only 6 scenarios, and none of them interesting.”
- “On the important subject of visuals, this features fairly low quality stylised/cartoony low poly 3D graphics.”
- “The artwork is decent, especially the main character and the horse, but the environment and NPC artwork is a little blocky.”
music
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
34%
33%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews; while some players praise it as stellar and integral to the emotional impact of key story moments, others find it ordinary or mediocre. Highlights include a particularly glorious final cutscene accompanied by a powerful score, but there are also mentions of forgettable sound elements. Overall, the music enhances the experience for many, though opinions vary significantly.
- “Music was stellar at some critical points and the story throws you for a loop (especially near the end).”
- “The story, especially the last cutscene and the swell of music, is utterly glorious.”
- “I do like the music and found it to be pretty fitting.”
- “The sound and music elements of the game may be considered ordinary or forgettable.”
- “Mediocre sound and music.”
- “The sound and music elements of the game may be considered ordinary or forgettable.”
stability
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is frequently criticized, with users reporting various bugs such as issues with firing arrows and unresponsive controls. While some find the gameplay enjoyable despite these flaws, the overall consensus suggests that the bugs detract from the experience, leading to mixed feelings about its quality, even considering it is free.
- “While the gameplay is simple and a bit buggy, like not being able to fire arrows and generally having controls that stick sometimes, it overall is fun.”
- “Also, switching arrows is buggy.”
- “Buggy, not worth free.”
atmosphere
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
40%
The game's atmosphere is a standout feature, immersing players in a world filled with mystery, survival, and supernatural elements. While the story may be brief, it consistently delivers a captivating atmosphere, enhanced by impressive camera work and a desire for more original sound design. Overall, the atmosphere significantly elevates the gaming experience.
- “The game is carried by its atmosphere.”
- “Solving mysteries and surviving in a world where the dead rise from the dead and gods fight can offer players an immersive atmosphere.”
- “The story is a bit short, but makes up for that by maintaining a consistent quality to its atmosphere during cutscenes.”
- “A more original sound design that would reinforce the game's atmosphere may be preferred.”
- “The story is a bit short, but it makes up for that by maintaining a consistent quality to its atmosphere during cutscenes.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its emotional depth, featuring a touching story that resonates with players, enhancing the overall experience.
- “A cute game with a touching story.”
- “The emotional depth of the characters really resonated with me.”
- “I found myself tearing up during several key moments in the game.”