September 25, 2020
WayForward

Trollhunters: Defenders of Arcadia

Trollhunters: Defender of Arcadia is a dull but mostly serviceable throwback to an era of gaming where licensed 2D platformers were rife. Decent writing and acting do help it stand out, but not by much.

42%Game Brain Score

emotional

gameplay, story

62% User Score Based on 26 reviews

Critic Score 46%Based on 7 reviews

Platforms

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About

Dive into the Trollhunters universe in Trollhunters: Defenders of Arcadia, where you play as Jim Lake Jr. to stop Porgon the Trickster Troll and his time-bending schemes. Team up with Claire in couch co-op, upgrading your armor and abilities as you go to defeat menacing foes and prevent the Time-pocalypse. The fate of the Trollhunter world is in your hands!

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Trollhunters: Defenders of Arcadia screenshot

62%

Audience ScoreBased on 33 reviews

emotional1 positive mentions

stability2 negative mentions

The game features good original voice acting and clever use of the Trollhunters theme, making it enjoyable for fans of the series.
The platforming gameplay is charming and holds up well, with interesting item collection and a variety of aesthetically pleasing levels.
It provides a fun experience for younger audiences and fans of the Trollhunters series, with plenty of references and jokes tied to the show.

The game is riddled with bugs, including freezing issues and softlocks that can disrupt gameplay significantly.
It is considered unpolished with clunky combat, mediocre graphics, and a lack of depth in the story and dialogue.
Many players feel the game is overpriced for its short length and minimal content, leading to a disappointing experience overall.

gameplay
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The gameplay of the game is generally viewed as mediocre, with many players finding it repetitive and lacking depth, particularly in single-player mode. While some enjoy the co-op mechanics and platforming elements, others criticize the overall experience as unfinished and unengaging, suggesting it may only appeal to die-hard fans of the source material.
- “As for gameplay, it is a side-scrolling platformer.”
- “I haven't gotten very far into the gameplay, but I love it so far!”
- “Trollhunters: Defenders of Arcadia’s gameplay is okay, its visuals are fine and its story is either a mess or passively engaging depending on your level of interest in its source material.”
- “This game is basically unfinished; using co-op and the shadow portal mechanic, you can get into areas of the map you shouldn't.”
- “So my daughter started playing single player, but the gameplay was incredibly boring and repetitive.”
- “Trollhunters: Defenders of Arcadia’s gameplay is okay; its visuals are fine and its story is either a mess or passively engaging depending on your level of interest in its source material, which all makes for a game that should be skipped unless you’re insanely desperate for another form of media from the Trollhunter universe.”
story
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The story in "Trollhunters: Defenders of Arcadia" is primarily voiced for the main narrative but lacks depth in side content, leading to a perception of it being too short and underdeveloped. While it features entertaining references to the source material, the overall engagement with the story varies significantly based on players' familiarity with the "Tales of Arcadia" universe. Critics suggest that the narrative may not justify the game's price, especially for those seeking a more substantial experience.
- “However, it was a very entertaining 13 hours :) The whole storyline ties in with things from the show, there are plenty of references and jokes to all of Tales of Arcadia, and the gameplay just makes you want to keep going!”
- “I do have some criticisms - keeping in mind that it did just recently release, there isn't a whole heck of a lot of story, and the difficulty is minimal at best even with a hard mode.”
- “The main story is voiced, but most of the side content is not.”
- “The story was too short; it should be priced at $10.”
- “Gameplay is just okay; there isn't enough story or dialogue, and it's only playable as Jim.”
graphics
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
60%
The graphics in the game receive mixed reviews, with some users finding them unpolished and mediocre, while others appreciate the aesthetic that aligns well with the Netflix series. The levels are noted for their variety and thematic coherence, making them visually appealing, especially for younger audiences. Overall, while the visuals have their strengths, they may not be enough to elevate the gameplay experience.
- “The platforming holds up, the item collection is interesting and is on theme with the show, and the levels have good aesthetic and variety.”
- “Trollhunters: Defenders of Arcadia’s gameplay is okay, its visuals are fine and its story is either a mess or passively engaging depending on your level of interest in its source material.”
- “[Awesome aesthetic that mirrors the Netflix series, well-designed for younger audiences, great voice acting.]”
- “Really unpolished graphics and a clunky combat system.”
- “The graphics are kind of meh.”
- “Trollhunters: Defenders of Arcadia’s gameplay is okay, its visuals are fine, and its story is either a mess or passively engaging depending on your level of interest in its source material, which all makes for a game that should be skipped unless you’re insanely desperate for another form of media from the Trollhunter universe.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game suffers from significant stability issues, including random freezes and various bugs, leading to a frustrating experience for players. Overall, it is perceived as a poorly functioning product.
- “The game randomly freezes and exhibits other odd behaviors.”
- “Buggy mess; it isn't even good.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a deep emotional connection to the game, highlighting moments of disappointment and sadness, such as the absence of a beloved character, which can evoke strong feelings and even lead to tears.
- “The only good thing was that I could have Angor Rot on my team, but he never showed up to the party. I cried.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The game is criticized for its low replayability due to its ease, lack of imaginative content, and repetitive gameplay, making it less appealing for an adult audience seeking more challenging and varied experiences.
- “Way too easy for an adult audience, lacks imagination, and feels repetitive with little replay value.”
- “The game quickly becomes monotonous, offering little incentive to play through again.”
- “Once you've completed it, there's not much left to draw you back for a second playthrough.”