Arcadian Atlas
Release Date: July 27, 2023
RPG, fantasy, turn-based, isometric view, tactics, indie games, jRPG, singleplayer
OpenCritic
A tactical jRPG inspired by the iconic Final Fantasy Tactics. Arcadian Atlas is set in war-torn Arcadia, where our party must tip the scales of the conflict.
Arcadian Atlas is a tactical jRPG heavily inspired by the genre's greats, especially the iconic Final Fantasy Tactics. It was developed by an indie team Twin Otter Studios and published by Serenity Forge.
Plot
Arcadian Atlas is set in a fantasy land of Arcadia, in the midst of a conflict between the queen and the princess trying to take the trone. The protagonists are the rebellious mage Desmond, learning the secrets of Arcadia, and Vashti, the second heir to the throne. Soon, they learn their actions are going to influence the future of the entire realm.
Mechanics
Arcadian Atlas is an isometric game. The players will get to visit various locations, such as beautiful coastal villages, ancient ruins, dense forests and snowy mountains. As we traverse Arcadia, we complete various quests and meet charismatic characters. We can also recruit soldiers and command them in battle. Combat is turn-based, requiring proper positioning of our units and skillful use of our characters' abilities.
As we progress through the game, we develop our characters, allies and troops. Overtime we become more powerful, gaining more specialized classes and new skills. Melee-focused Cavaliers can become Inquisitors or Ronin, spellcasting Warmancers can become Sorcerers or Druids, Rangers become Hunters or Reavers, while Apothecaries advance into Monks or Shamans. Gathering better gear also increases our combat capabilities.
Technical aspects
Arcadian Atlas makes use of a colorful, pixel artstyle.
Videos and Screens
[1:57] Arcadian Atlas launch trailer
Worth Playing: 6 / 10 by Chris "Atom" DeAngelus
Arcadian Atlas is the definition of a fine game. It isn't bad, and it isn't great; it's just perfectly passable. There are some solid moments and a nice hit of nostalgia for PS1-era RPGs, but that's about it. Other spiritual successors like Triangle Strategy and Fell Seal have proven that the genre can do a lot more on a lower budget, and Arcadian Atlas feels dated. If you're a fan of SRPGs, this might be worth a look, but it's mostly forgettable.
GamingTrend: 75 / 100 by Adam Moreno
Arcadian Atlas has some amazing character designs and character development. The gameplay can be a little unstable at times, but the story keeps you going with its creativity. With some great side characters like Eda and Poncho on your team and more down the road, nothing is impossible. It's a love letter to older tactical games, and does the genre justice.
oprainfall: 3.5 / 5 by Steve Baltimore
Overall I have to say Arcadian Atlas is a pretty good game. The story is interesting, the graphics look great, the OST is one of the best I’ve heard in a long time and the combat is fun. I feel like the lore of the world could’ve been fleshed out a bit better, but this is only a minor gripe. There are a few balancing issues present here as well, but the developer is working on hotfixes that really will address most of what I encountered. Even though this is a quality release, I feel like it’s a bit pricey at $29.99, but when it’s on sale, fans of Strategy titles should pick this one up. While it’s not perfect, there is plenty here to love.
Arcadian Atlas Summary
Platforms:
PC Windows July 27, 2023
PlayStation 4 November 30, 2023
Xbox One November 30, 2023
Nintendo Switch November 30, 2023
PlayStation 5 November 30, 2023
Xbox Series X/S November 30, 2023
Developer: Twin Otter Studios
Publisher: Serenity Forge
Age restrictions: none
Arcadian Atlas System Requirements
PC / Windows
Minimum: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4 GHz / AMD FX-8120 3.1 GHz, 4 GB RAM, graphic card 1 GB GeForce GT 630 / Radeon HD 6570 or better, 6 GB HDD, Windows 7