Ariana and the Elder Codex Reviews

Ariana and the Elder Codex is ranked in the 71st percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
3.6 / 5.0
Apr 10, 2026

Ariana and the Elder Codex lands as a solid, enjoyable adventure. It has its rough edges, especially with pacing and repetition, but the core experience is fun. The combat system carries a lot of weight, and the mix of spell customization, engaging bosses, and a charming visual style makes it easy to stick with. It's the kind of game you pick up out of curiosity and end up having a genuinely good time with. If you enjoy 2D action platformers with a bit of style and a magic-focused twist, this is an easy recommendation, especially if you're open to something that feels like a smaller, more overlooked gem.

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7 / 10.0
Mar 23, 2026

If you are an enthusiast of this style, it is worth giving it a go for the gameplay, since the narrative is unremarkable. However, if you don't care much for action platformers or still have others in the genre to cross off your backlog, then Ariana and the Elder Codex might stay on the sidelines for a while.

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Mar 23, 2026

Ariana and the Elder Codex is a fantastic metroidvania game that implements RPG mechanics and action combat that feels satisfying.

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8.5 / 10.0
Mar 23, 2026

It’s time to dive into the Codices and bring back magic to the world!

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GameSpew
Top Critic
7 / 10
Mar 25, 2026

It might not offer up anything particularly new or exciting, but Ariana and the Elder Codex is a solid metroidvania adventure game with an enjoyable narrative. Multiple difficulty levels make this readily accessible too, so this combat-heavy romp never needs to feel too challenging.

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Mar 24, 2026

I also don’t think that it’ll be something people are recommending and writing essays on a decade from now. It’s a bright, charming game made for easy consumption right now, and sometimes that’s all you need.

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PSX Brasil
Top Critic
75 / 100
Mar 23, 2026

Ariana and the Elder Codex is fun to pass the time, but the tedious dialogue breaks the rhythm too much. Although it has interesting gameplay, it's recommended for those who really want to delve into the story and have the patience for it.

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8.1 / 10.0
Mar 23, 2026

Ariana and the Elder Codex is a gorgeous game that's full of so many unique spells and enemies that you'll constantly be excited to uncover more of its lovely game world as you power-up and become the swankiest librarian in the realm. 📚

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7 / 10
Apr 4, 2026

Ariana and the Elder Codex is a truly fascinating game despite its hiccups. Its one of those games that has some really good gameplay if you want something a bit more active, hectic or even just plain chaotic. The fact that its stories are a bit more independent also makes it a great game for quick bursts to shorter gaming sessions. So if you’re interested in something that’ll keep you busy without having to dedicate extensively long hours, this might just be the game that scratches that itch—that is if $39.99 or £26.99 sounds reasonable enough for a game that you’d finish in around 10 hours give or take.

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82 / 100
Mar 23, 2026

Ariana and the Elder Codex is a lot of fun to play, and that fun comes from the systems, not just the new things. This is an easy recommendation for anybody who wants a polished, compact, and good-looking action RPG with spell customization that matters and a combat loop that is fun.

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3.2 / 5.0
Mar 27, 2026

Ariana and the Elder Codex does well in the most important ways: it’s fun, interesting, and memorable. It’s the kind of game that makes you think of simpler times when adventures could still mean a lot. This is a journey that action RPG fans, side-scrolling game fans, and people who just like well-made games should definitely take.

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60 / 100
Mar 24, 2026

Ariana and the Elder Codex is an ok game and I have had a good time playing but it is a niche title, it is not a game I would see myself going back to once its over, it has little replay-ability and once you have played through it once you will have seen everything it has to offer.

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8 / 10.0
Mar 23, 2026

Ariana and the Elder Codex has some of the best combat I've seen from a Metroidvania, and it's worth experiencing for that alone.

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8 / 10.0
Mar 23, 2026

Far from being an experience with many technical problems, Ariana and the Elder Codex presents modest but honest content. The premise of repairing magic books could be greatly expanded in sequels, should the developers be interested. However, in both the current title and future ones, greater attention to refinement should be considered.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

3 / 5.0
Mar 23, 2026

As a full tome, Ariana and the Elder Codex has quite a lot of potential, but among its genre and the RPG landscape as a whole, it doesn’t stand out too starkly on the shelf. While it has some charming visuals, lore, and some good voice acting, its gameplay and story are only ever serviceably engaging, and predictable twists and excessive endgame lore dumping dull the adventure.

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84 / 100
Mar 23, 2026

Ariana and the Elder Codex doesn’t do anything absurdly new, but it understands what makes this kind of game work and sticks to it. The combat and build variety carry the experience, even when the story becomes predictable and the enemy design feels thin. It’s a solid and well-made action-platformer that’s easy to enjoy, as long as you know what you’re getting into.

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7 / 10.0
Mar 23, 2026

Ariana and the Elder Codex is a competent Metroidvania game that brings a series of interesting ideas that, unfortunately, aren't always used to their full potential.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review