Aris Arcanum

About

Aris Arcanum is a single player action game. It was developed by Broken Cane and was released on October 27, 2025. It received very positive reviews from players.

Once destined to lead the grand library of Aris, scholar Clyde now faces its ruin. Appointed overseer of Atramancy, the art of manipulating the occult Ink, he must confront the very force that promised knowledge but delivered madness. The Ink, an alien entity sealed deep within the arcane library called Aris, was studied for its power to enhance magical abilities. But its price was steep. Those…

Genres & Tags

Action

Play Modes

Single-Player

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93%

Audience ScoreBased on 14 reviews

music3 positive mentions

Beautiful art style and unique cosmic horror setting create an immersive atmosphere.
Engaging combat system with a variety of spells and upgrade options, allowing for unique builds.
Addictive gameplay loop with intriguing story and great music, making it hard to put down.

Limited content with only one biome and a short number of levels, leading to a lack of replayability.
Promises of extensive unlocks and builds fall flat, as players encounter repetitive gameplay after initial hours.
The hub area and NPC interactions feel underdeveloped, offering little in terms of world-building or progression.

music
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The music in the game is widely praised for its uniqueness and retro style, enhancing the overall experience and complementing the intriguing story and art design. Players particularly enjoy the victory and idle themes, which add to the game's engaging atmosphere. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature that contributes significantly to the game's appeal.
- “The story is intriguing and the music is great.”
- “One of the best indie games I've played recently; the retro-like music really got me going, and the boss fight was super fun.”
- “The victory/idle music after you defeat enemies is superb.”
graphics
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
80%
20%
The game features a stunning and unique art style that enhances its cosmic horror setting, with many users praising its visual appeal. While the graphics are generally regarded as gorgeous, some players feel that certain elements could be improved. Overall, the combination of art and music contributes to an engaging atmosphere.
- “Absolutely gorgeous art style and the cosmic horror library setting is so unique!”
- “The graphics look great and the setting is interesting.”
- “Great game with a unique combat style, has a unique art style with an interesting story.”
story
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
75%
The game features an intriguing story complemented by unique art and music, creating an engaging atmosphere. However, some players feel that character development and story progression could be more fleshed out. Overall, the narrative is a highlight, though it leaves room for deeper exploration.
- “The story is intriguing and the music is great.”
- “Great game with a unique combat style, has a unique art style with an interesting story.”
- “The art, environments, character design, story, and music are also very unique.”
- “Character-wise, I wish they had more to tell in terms of story progression.”
- “The plot felt disjointed and lacked depth, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- “I found the story predictable and uninspired, with no real twists or surprises.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is praised for its beauty, contributing to an engaging and enjoyable gameplay experience.
- “Beautiful atmosphere and a tight game loop, loving it so far!”
- “The immersive environment draws you in, making every moment feel alive.”
- “The haunting soundtrack perfectly complements the stunning visuals, creating an unforgettable experience.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers highlight that the game's character development is enhanced by its unique art style, environments, and character design, which contribute to a compelling narrative experience.
- “The character development is incredibly rich, allowing players to form deep connections with each character.”
- “I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, making their journeys feel authentic and engaging.”
- “The depth of character backstories and their growth over time adds a layer of emotional investment that is hard to find in other games.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
50%
While some users appreciate the potential for future unlocks and replayability, others feel the game lacks depth in strategies and variety, making it less suitable for those seeking extensive replay value.
- “It looks good, plays well, and seems to promise a lot of unlocks and replayability in the future.”
- “If you're looking for a game with a long tail, different strategies, multiple biomes, and plenty of replayability, this is it.”
- “But if you're looking for a game with a long tail, different strategies, multiple biomes, plenty of replayability, this ain't it.”
gameplay
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The gameplay is engaging and enjoyable, though some players find that the ink shard mechanic becomes repetitive after several rebirths.
- “The gameplay is attention-grabbing and fun, though the ink shard can become a bit dull after the first few rebirths.”