Arise: A simple story Reviews
Arise: A Simple Story tells an emotional tale with some clever co-op gameplay ideas, but it may not always be engaging for the second player.
Even with occasionally questionable jumping sequences, this emotionally fraught journey is a potent statement on the nature of love, memory, and loss
In another level, I continuously switch between late fall and the depths of midwinter, controlling the old man as he crosses rivers and lakes. Ice floes can only be used as platforms in the extreme cold, but if he fails to jump back to the warmer season at every opportunity, he freezes to death. He is brave, but vulnerable.
Arise is worth checking out if you’re in the mood for a game like Journey or Gris, or if you just want to explore a magical world while listening to an emotional soundtrack.
Arise: A Simple Story sets out to tell a story as a video game but, smartly, doesn’t overestimate the role of gameplay. Inventive level design drives things forward, but faced with the awkward task of demanding platform-jumping in the aftermath an emotional bombshell, it simply lets the musical and visual storytelling seize their moment. It is only a simple story, but well told.
Arise: A Simple Story is a delightful mix of stunning visuals, sounds, and engaging story. But there's also a satisfying game underneath to enjoy too.
A title that is much better for its narrative than for its platforms. Luckily, everything works thanks to music and its graphic section.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Piccolo Studio's Arise: A Simple Story tells its tale with beautiful dreamscapes and time-altering gameplay, but fails to engage players.
Piccolo Studio's debut leaves a game that will linger in your mind for long, a simple adventure in its form, but with a message as beautiful as painful. One more example that videogames are a great medium to transmit a message and, as Journey and similar games, they are playable poetry. If you like this kind of offerings, go get it without doubt.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Arise: A Simple Story is true to its name and offers both function and form, which is why I'm so anxious to see what Piccolo Studio has next in the pipeline. It's a pleasant surprise to help cap off a great year.
In some ways, Arise: A Simple Story is perfectly named because it forgoes traditional dialogue or text-based narration for visual storytelling. However, through the inventive environmental game design that pushes the narrative forward to its well-realized and emotional conclusion, there is a complexity to Arise that left me misty-eyed by its affecting story of love and loss.
Arise: A Simple Story may exactly be just that but the emotions and journey we go through is anything but. With a serene and breathtaking art style, I wasn’t quite expecting to experience such intense feelings. You really have to appreciate the love and nuanced care that developer Untold Tales put into this game. In total, the Arise is about 4-6 hours long depending on how quickly you go. But I assure you every moment is so worth it, I almost wish there was more. If this title slipped under your radar on its initial release, I would recommend picking it up for the Switch; however, I would also encourage you to have a box of tissues handy for those hard-hitting moments. You’ll need them, trust me.
Arise: A Simple Story is an invitation to travel that it would be a shame not to accept because too few stories are so emotional.
Review in French | Read full review
Even without much dialogue or long, extensive cutscenes, Arise is able to tell us a simple story that is vibrant and rich, bringing us an unforgettable and emotional experience.
A beautiful adventure that will stay with me forever. Arise: A Simple Story is one story told through amazing animations played through a beautiful world, accompanied by a soundtrack that makes this game a masterpiece in every piece of its design.
Arise: A Simple Story is a puzzle platform game with a soul. It's a beautiful and touching trip through the emotions of the protagonist and the player. Even if short and without words, Arise can say a lot to the heart.
Review in Italian | Read full review
By making a point of keeping things simple, Arise: A Simple Story excels in all the right places. Basic 3D platforming is elevated by the introduction of time manipulation, transforming the beauty of its locations into an interactable piece of art. And when its visual design is already this stunning, it makes for an experience that delights every sense imaginable.
Arise: A Simple Story is a beautiful, moving experience I couldn't stop swearing at. The game delivers a lovely yarn and some clever level design, but clunky controls and an infuriating camera leave this platformer stranded in purgatory. Arise's story may be worth your time, but only if you're the patient type. Simple as that.
In Arise : A Simple Story, everything seems simple. It's quite easy to play - even though controls are clunky - and quite easy to understand. But it's not easy to forget, as it is a superb and very emotional tale, with superb visuals, fantastic music and a very moving story - that will make you easily cry.
Review in French | Read full review
Arise: A Simple Story is well worth the $20 and six hours you'll spend playing it. Even though it can't seem to avoid problems that plague your typical indie game, the artwork and level design are beyond worth the small investment.