The Arcana: A Mystic Romance

About

"The Arcana: A Mystic Romance" is a single-player adventure game with an intriguing story and beautiful visuals, music, and gameplay. However, the game includes lots of grinding and too many ads, and may elicit strong emotions. With over 1M players, this interactive dating and mystery story offers a unique atmosphere and plenty of laughs.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

81%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,585 reviews

story754 positive mentions

monetization224 negative mentions

The storyline, characters, soundtrack, and visuals are all simply perfect.
The game offers a unique and engaging experience with multiple routes and character perspectives.
The art style is stunning, and the game is inclusive with options for different pronouns.

The coin system is frustratingly expensive, making it difficult to access premium choices.
It takes a long time to earn coins and keys, which can hinder gameplay and enjoyment.
The game can feel like a cash grab due to the high prices for unlocking content.

story
1,557 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
50%
1%
The story aspect of the game is widely praised for its captivating narrative, well-developed characters, and stunning visuals, creating an immersive experience that keeps players engaged. However, many users express frustration over the high costs associated with accessing premium story choices, which can significantly hinder the overall enjoyment and progression of the game. While the core story can be enjoyed without spending money, the additional content often feels essential for a complete experience, leading to dissatisfaction with the monetization model.
- “The storyline, the characters, the soundtrack, and visuals are all simply perfect.”
- “The story is so intriguing that I find myself putting way too much time into this game!”
- “I absolutely love the storyline! The art is gorgeous and the storyline is beautifully done.”
- “Buying the full storyline of one character would cost well over €100, while it reads like a cheap romance novel available on Amazon for €2.”
- “The story doesn't progress fast if you're playing for free, so be prepared to spend money; in my opinion, that's the only downside.”
- “The main problem is that it's constantly interrupted by expensive chapter-by-chapter costs, making it frustrating to experience the story as intended.”
graphics
400 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
73%
26%
1%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning beauty and intricate detail, with many users highlighting the captivating art style, character designs, and immersive backgrounds. The visuals are often described as breathtaking and integral to the overall experience, enhancing the engaging storylines and character development. However, some players express frustration with the game's monetization system, which can hinder access to premium content and choices that further showcase the impressive graphics.
- “The graphics are stunning, with each sprite and background perfectly capturing the beauty or horror that's unfolding.”
- “The artwork is breathtaking, the characters are realistic, and the story is captivating.”
- “The visuals are gorgeous, the dialogue is beautiful, and the storyline is incredibly unique and creative.”
- “The graphics and writing are better than any other story game I've played, but the main menu isn't as confusing as other visual novels I've played.”
- “The graphics, storyline, plot twists, characters (especially Asra and Lucio), and everything else are impressive, but the prices for the coins and keys are ridiculously high.”
- “While the artwork and the world that the story takes place in are really exciting, I can't get past the fact that the game is now coin-based, where you either have to pay or wait for coins to get the exciting choices that might lead the character route in a more preferable direction.”
monetization
289 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
6%
16%
78%
The monetization model of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the option to earn coins by watching ads, which has improved accessibility to content. However, the high cost of in-game purchases and microtransactions has been criticized as excessive, leading some to feel that the game is a cash grab. While the absence of intrusive ads is a positive aspect, players express a desire for more opportunities to earn coins without spending real money, suggesting that a flat purchase option might be preferable.
- “I would absolutely be willing to pay decent money as a one-time purchase for the full experience and choices that are behind a paywall, but the cost of all the microtransactions is ridiculously expensive.”
- “I would much rather pay a one-time upfront fee than constantly be confronted with microtransactions.”
- “I would have happily paid a flat fee for this game to not have so many microtransactions.”
- “The advertisements are intentionally misleading and the game is hard to enjoy unless you're consistently pouring money into it.”
- “It's a cash grab.”
- “The microtransactions are just too much.”
music
182 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
65%
34%
2%
The music in the game is widely praised for its beauty, immersive quality, and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, complementing the stunning visuals and engaging storylines. Many players find the soundtrack enchanting and soothing, contributing significantly to their enjoyment of the game. However, some users have reported technical issues, such as overlapping tracks and unexpected sounds, which detract from the otherwise excellent musical experience.
- “The music, the characters, the story, it's all amazingly written and I love replaying it; if I could go back to when I first started playing it, I would.”
- “The music sets the correct atmospheres and eerie mood when needed.”
- “The music is breathtaking and calming.”
- “I really love this game, but since yesterday there are two songs playing, overlapping each other and I can only turn off the main menu music but not the second one.”
- “Currently a small issue, when I open the app, even with music and sound effects off, you can hear this weird music.”
- “Upon updating, the game has had one song playing throughout the entirety of it, which doesn't stop even when coming off the app.”
gameplay
70 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
51%
44%
4%
Overall, the gameplay is praised for its engaging storytelling, beautiful graphics, and smooth mechanics, making it enjoyable for many players. However, a significant concern is the paywall for key gameplay elements, which some feel is exploitative and limits access to content without spending money. While the game offers free options to earn coins, many users express frustration over the high costs associated with unlocking additional scenes and choices, impacting their overall experience.
- “Amazing story, amazing characters, amazing mechanics, amazing art.”
- “The gameplay is fantastic, and while coins can run out quickly, there are options for free coin gain.”
- “The visuals are arresting, the music is exquisite and the gameplay just flows so organically, the storyline makes sense and the characters are uniquely charming!”
- “You're basically putting key gameplay mechanics behind a paywall, how is that not exploitative?”
- “I also find it difficult to earn gold without buying it, which closed a lot of doors during gameplay.”
- “However, as others have said, the coins are incredibly expensive to the point it's insulting and completely ruins the gameplay as options are gated behind huge paywalls.”
character development
59 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
69%
25%
5%
Overall, the character development in the game is highly praised, with many reviewers highlighting the depth and uniqueness of the characters, as well as their engaging backstories. The stunning character designs and artwork complement the well-crafted storylines, making for an immersive experience. However, some users noted that significant character development often occurs in paid scenes, which can detract from the overall experience.
- “The character designs are amazing, and I love that you can choose to do one romance at a time or juggle multiple.”
- “This romance/otome game is rich with a good storyline, fun/loveable characters packed with character development, gorgeous art, and most importantly a good experience.”
- “The characters are all very likeable, have good character development, and are all very unique with fantastic backstories.”
- “But the thing is, many people, including me, agree that Asra's route needs some improvement like character development, a better upright ending where even other characters' problems are solved, and maybe more things we can learn about the apprentice's past.”
- “But the story and graphics keep me playing, even though I do feel like I'm missing out on big character development.”
- “From the art style, to the thought-out storyline and character developments, it's a really time-worthy game.”
emotional
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised, with players noting its heartwarming and often heartbreaking narratives that create strong attachments to the characters. Many reviews highlight the depth of character arcs and the engaging storylines, which evoke a wide range of emotions, from joy to sadness. However, some players express frustration over the monetization of deeper emotional connections, feeling that the cost of unlocking certain content detracts from the overall experience.
- “Plus, the queer representation and love is so heartwarming.”
- “The game is actually much more wholesome, and the character arcs are brilliant!”
- “There have been very few stories that have had me on an emotional rollercoaster quite like the one in Asra's route, and for that, he is my personal favorite.”
atmosphere
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
17%
17%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive qualities, enhanced by beautiful artwork, captivating music, and engaging storytelling. Players appreciate the magical and soothing ambiance that draws them into the game world, although some express frustration over the costs associated with making choices. Overall, the combination of visual and auditory elements creates a bewitching experience that many find enchanting.
- “The music sets the correct atmospheres and eerie mood when needed.”
- “Expensive but amazing... the artwork is phenomenal, the story is super fun with really lovely writing/dialogue, and the atmosphere they have created is so soothing, the music choice is on point.”
- “The music is atmospheric, and I like how vibrant and immersive the narration is - like you could almost be in that world yourself, although the fantastic in-game art definitely helped with this as well.”
- “I love the plot and atmosphere of this game, but I hate that I have to pay every time I want to choose an interesting option.”
- “I only dove into one of the paths so far, but I'm sure the other ones are great too. The story will have you hooked in no time; the atmosphere of the music and illustrations is bewitching.”
- “The storytelling, the atmosphere building, the music, the romance, and the mini game to collect coins and cards.”
humor
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised for its clever writing and multi-dimensional characters, delivering a mix of hilarious and macabre moments that resonate with players. Many reviewers highlight the well-crafted jokes and engaging dialogue, which often elicits genuine laughter, while the charming art and lively music enhance the overall comedic experience. Fans also appreciate the creators' humor and their interaction with the community, adding to the game's delightful atmosphere.
- “It's compelling, the characters are multi-dimensional, and it's at times hilarious or really macabre.”
- “The jokes are actually funny and I've almost died from laughter like a thousand times.”
- “The art is wonderful, the storyline is great, and the dialogue has made me laugh so hard it startles my pets.”
grinding
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, as earning coins is slow and often requires repetitive minigames or logging in daily, with minimal payouts. While some appreciate the coin system for item collection, many feel that the grind detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game, especially when premium content is locked behind a significant paywall. Despite the grind, players can still progress through the story without purchasing extra content, though it may take considerably longer.
- “The coins are very expensive and hard to get by grinding (full experience costs like 2-3 amazing AAA games! Really? And you get 5(!) coins per day!) - the story is much worse if you can't pay for extra content (around 300+ coins per book) :(”
- “The minigames to get the free coins are tedious and do not pay out.”
- “This game is absolutely gorgeous and charming, but you'll spend all your time grinding for coins instead of actually enjoying the game.”
stability
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The stability of the game is a mixed bag, with many users reporting frequent freezes, crashes, and bugs that hinder gameplay, particularly when trying to collect rewards. While some players experience smooth performance with minimal glitches, the overall consensus leans towards significant technical difficulties that detract from the gaming experience.
- “I really love the story and all, but when I try to get my prizes from Heart Hunter, it freezes up and won't let me do anything in the app at all.”
- “While my tablet is actually a good one, this game still frequently freezes and crashes, and I always end up losing because of it (whether it's a tarot reading or a postcard - there's no 'quick save' so you just lose it if the game crashes on you). I want to enjoy it and get further than the prologue, but the system is slow and the technical difficulties make it even slower.”
- “I would love to rate this 5 stars, but I've been having trouble opening the app. It also doesn't fit my phone since I got a new phone recently. Whenever I open the app, after about 5 seconds, it just freezes.”
replayability
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
25%
38%
The game's replayability is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the multiple routes and high replay value, others find it limited due to high costs, lack of depth, and a feeling of disconnection during play. The need to wait for resources can enhance replayability for some, but many feel it ultimately detracts from the experience, making it feel more like a chore than an engaging activity. Overall, opinions vary significantly, with some praising it as highly replayable and others criticizing it for a lack of content.
- “It has multiple routes that are playable, and you can play more than one at a time if you wish.”
- “A lot of replay value and a 10/10 game!”
- “It has amazing replay value (the most out of all games I've played, at least).”
- “However, there are a lot of drawbacks I've experienced with the game that make it impossible to consider it 'a good sim.' Cons: high cost, problematic developers, zero replayability, rarely any supplementation for your purchases, lack of flexibility, lack of activities, and lack of depth in the world.”
- “Doing that 3 keys at a time, 8 hours per key, makes it feel more disconnected and makes replayability feel more like a chore.”
- “10.00$ for access to 3 pictures... (granted the art is flipping phenomenal) still... I would rather spend 50 dollars on a PC game that was replayable.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
Overall, users express a desire for better optimization for lower-spec devices to improve performance, while some report that the game runs smoothly on their current setups.
- “The app runs smoothly, thank you!❣️”
- “I wish the game was better optimized for lower-spec devices.”
- “This would enhance game performance; I hope you take this idea into consideration.”