American Arcadia - Review Thread

Game Information

Game Title: American Arcadia

Platforms:

PC (Nov 15, 2023)
PlayStation 5 (Dec 31, 2023)
PlayStation 4 (Dec 31, 2023)

Trailers:

Developer: Out of the Blue Games

Publisher: Raw Fury

Review Aggregator:

OpenCritic - 80 average - 92% recommended - 13 reviews

Critic Reviews

AnaitGames - Víctor Manuel Martínez García - Spanish - 8 / 10

The Madrid studio Out of the Blue proposes a revision of The Truman Show that offers an exhaustive thematic reflection that goes far beyond its initial reference.

But Why Tho? - Mick Abrahamson - 8.5 / 10

American Arcadia covers a unique scenario with a great story and beautiful environments. Its mix of 2-D sidescrolling platforming sections and 3-D exploration of the outside world shakes up what could quickly become monotonous.

Digital Trends - Giovanni Colantonio - 4 / 5

American Arcadia turns The Truman Show into an interactive indie thriller you don’t want to miss.

Digitec Magazine - Philipp Rüegg - German - Unscored

American Arcadia is the surprise hit of the year

Explosion Network - Wil James - 9 / 10

I largely do not have a lot to say about American Arcadia other than it’s excellent. Out of the Blue Games has served up a well-rounded narrative puzzle adventure that largely succeeds in all areas.

GameSpew - Kim Snaith - 8 / 10

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.

GamesRadar+ - Jon Bailes - 4 / 5

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.

Gert Lush Gaming - Jim Smale - 8.2 / 10

American Arcadia is a must-play game that offers a unique blend of gameplay styles, stunning visuals, and an engaging story.

LadiesGamers.com - Kalina Mikova - Loved

American Arcadia is a fun, colorful adventure with a sense of humor, clever puzzles, and enough sense of danger to keep you going forward. It’s the perfect escape for the wintry months ahead!

Rectify Gaming - Will Hogeweide - 8.5 / 10

In a landscape saturated with gaming options, American Arcadia stands tall as a beacon of originality and excellence. American Arcadia is more than a recommendation; it’s a mandatory sojourn into the heart of dystopian gaming brilliance. Step into the unknown, where every decision echoes through the corridors of a metropolis that conceals as much as it reveals.

Rock, Paper, Shotgun - Alice Bell - Unscored

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?

Slant Magazine - Aaron Riccio - 4 / 5

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.

Use a Potion - 9 / 10

I loved American Arcadia, with the zany narrative and clever blend of 2.5D platforming and first-person puzzling making for a unique and memorable experience. There are plenty of twists in the comical narrative to keep players wholly invested in Trevor and Angela’s plight, whilst you’re constantly put into creative scenarios that’ll test both your platforming and puzzling skills. You’ve got to be on the ball if you want to succeed in your journey, and whilst there were a few puzzles that fell short of the mark, I found it hard to put the controller down when playing.

American Arcadia is just really, REALLY good and definitely stands out as one of the best platforming-puzzlers that I’ve played this year.