American Arcadia

Release Date: November 15, 2023

Adventure, FPP, platformers, dystopia, indie games, 2.5D, side-scroll, action adventure, singleplayer

7.9

OpenCritic

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A cross between a first-person adventure game and an action platformer. American Arcadia is set in the titular metropolis, its people unknowingly participating in a reality show, where losing popularity among the audience gets them killed.

Plot
Mechanics
Technical aspects

American Arcadia is a creative cross between an adventure game and an aciton platformer. It was developed by Out of the Blue, also known for Call of the Sea.

Plot

American Arcadia is set in the alternate 1970s, in Arcadia, a retrofuturistic, seemingly idyllic metropolis. Unbeknownst to its citizens, though, they're all unwilling contestants in the most popular reality show in the world, their lives broadcast on TV 24/7. To make matters more, losing popularity among the audience results in death. Both of our playable characters must learn the truth about Arcadia and find a way out.

Mechanics

American Arcadia could be considered two games in one. When playing as the first character, the game is first-person, tasking us with exploring different areas, hacking devices and gathering intel. As the second character, the game is a side-scroller, tasking us with jumping on platforms, avoiding traps and escaping pursuers. There are numerous puzzles to solve and stealth segments to get through.

The story is conveyed through documentary-like cutscenes, which show interviews and interrogations.

Technical aspects

American Arcadia features cartoonish visuals, the bright color palette during the day contrasting dark areas traversed during the night. The game features an all-star voice cast, starring Yuri Lowenthal (Marvel's Spider-Man, Prince of Persia: Sands of Time), Krizia Bajos (Cyberpunk 2077) and Cissy Jones (Firewatch, Life is Strange).

Videos and Screens

[1:06] American Arcadia - Console Launch Announcement

[1:08] American Arcadia American Arcadia - Accolades Trailer

7.9

OpenCritic Rating

Game is Recomended by 75% of Critics. There are 21 Critic Reviews.

OpenCritic

Gert Lush Gaming: 8.2 / 10 by Jim Smale

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

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Explosion Network: 9 / 10 by Wil James

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.

Full Review

COGconnected: 85 / 100 by Mark Steighner

With an appealing visual style, timely themes and excellent puzzle platform mechanics, American Arcadia confidently checks a lot of boxes. While a few of the puzzles can be head-scratchers or frustrating to complete, the majority of my experience was extremely positive. American Arcadia is genuinely something fresh and stands out in a crowded genre.

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