American Arcadia Reviews
American Arcadia is a sharp, snappy production that could make for an entertaining film if it wasn't peppered with ingenious puzzles and platforming challenges. The dual character scenario is exploited brilliantly, adding variety, originality and humour, and even if some sections lack a real sense of participation, the visual design of Arcadia, along with some smart turns in the plot, ensure momentum through to the end.
Offering a new take on a classic tale of thrilling escape, American Arcadia has some rough edges but its sleek platforming and art reinforce its story beautifully. And what about those twists, folks!? Are you watching this live?
American Arcadia takes The Truman Show's core concept and updates it for the 2020s with a two-sided tale of escape, freedom and corporate control. The gameplay is mainly there to help deliver this story, but I always wanted Trevor to keep running to get me to the final moments and grand reveal.
American Arcadia turns The Truman Show into an interactive indie thriller you don't want to miss.
For those looking for a fresh and unique take on interactive storytelling, this delivers a memorable journey that blends cinematic flair with clever gameplay twists.
American Arcadia offers varied and moderately balanced gameplay, peppered with caustic social commentary.
Review in Russian |
It’s indicative of the game’s clear messaging that despite multiple car crashes, a delirious dream sequence, a high-stakes infiltration, and more, the moment that most stands out is a relatively quiet one: Trevor sitting at a piano, playing an original piece that he’s composed. For all the time spent controlling him up to that point, this is the first time where Angela, and by extension the player, can see him as an independent person, one capable of making his own decisions (in this case, his art). That glimpse of his humanity is a moving little flourish that attests to American Arcadia’s belief that we all deserve freedom from coercion and an unreal life.
American Arcadia, from developer Out of the Blue Games S.L. and publisher Raw Fury, was a suspenseful and thrilling adventure. While the gameplay didn’t challenge the narrative for the limelight, there were still enough interactive elements to call this a solid gaming experience.
Taking six to eight hours to complete, I’ve blasted through American Arcadia in just two sittings, being utterly gripped the whole time. The side-scrolling platforming and first-person puzzle gameplay blend together seamlessly, with the story here being king. Despite a few small presentation issues that need ironing out, the gameplay here is flawless – and jumping from Angela’s first-person viewpoint to being in control of a side-scrolling Trevor via her computer monitor is nothing short of genius. If you enjoy adventure and puzzles, and like the sound of a story that’s reminiscent of The Truman Show, this is a game not to be missed.
With a strong atmosphere, interesting story, and engaging but fairly simple mix of puzzle and platforming gameplay, American Arcadia makes for a memorable place to visit - and escape from.
Just fun entertainment on the theme of The Truman Show: not deep, but not stupid either; full of references and stylization, but not entirely derivative; funny, heartfelt and ultimately life-affirming – but with an inevitable bitter aftertaste.
Review in Russian | Read full review
The story is fun to watch unfold and it has many entertaining gameplay segments, too; that is, if you have patience for the more frustrating moments. 🏃♂️
American Arcadia manages to weave an immersive narrative that will keep you hooked during its 6 hours of duration. It masterfully combines an incisive critique of the entertainment society or social networks with a varied gameplay.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
To sum up, American Arcadia blends story with a aesthetic that gives it a distinct identity. The dual-character gameplay keeps things fresh, ensuring you stay hooked from start to finish. The game belongs on anybody’s playlist and so for its unique premise, polished execution, and sheer entertainment value. American Arcadia easily earns the Thumb Culture Platinum Award.
American Arcadia offers a wonderfully well-designed world and the two completely different gameplay angles mean that it never gets boring. And anyone who thinks they know exactly what it all boils down to will certainly be surprised. Only some annoying passages really didn't have to be.
Review in German | Read full review
As a game, American Arcadia doesn't necessarily require much from the player. As long as you can get past the control issues and ever-changing puzzles, you will discover a tantalising tale that pulls you right in. When they say television is bad for you, I never imagined it to be in this way, and neither does Trevor, and that makes for something that should keep you glued to the screen for the next few hours.
American Arcadia is a fantastically story-rich puzzle game that will keep you on the edge of your seat and make you want to play it again, even after finishing it. The art style, character design, mechanics, and plot of the story come together to create something incredibly unique that most puzzle game players will enjoy, even with some of the puzzles being a little unforgiving.
American Arcadia is a surprising proposal that all adventure lovers will especially like and who of course enjoyed Call Of The Sea. The mix of a platform game with a first-person graphic adventure works like a charm, thanks above all to some puzzles that, without being very challenging, will keep you looking for a solution for a while. In addition, the narrative and character construction shines with its own light and makes the immersion in the game even more pronounced. It seems that Out Of The Blue Games continues to evolve to improve its formula that both audiences and critics already liked in Call Of The Sea.
Review in Spanish | Read full review