Reviews

• gamedeal user

  Nov 18, 2021

  Hey, sorry for potential mistakes, really wanna go to sleep rn, plus English is not my native language. Hope it's readable though. Firstly, a very heartwarming story, didn't expect that. Also it's a pretty local story (you'll see what I mean), but the events were good and plentiful. This novel shines through it's characters, of course. Companions and npc's alike, they are very alive, with diverse personalities, sets of solid morlals and motivations. Sometimes they have clashed because of this, and sometimes they have instead adapted and changed. Your influence on them is subtle due to that, but it still showing and makes a difference. I suspect there will be difference in endings for romanced companions, I will have to explore it later. So. I quickly grew on each of my companions and have come to love them fiercely. Their interactions with each other is so heartwarming, I got a little weepy quite a few times. It's just so good to see how this little party of mistrusting strangers have come to care for each other, making sacrifices for each other, like a true friends. Ah, and my apprentice, too! They are one of those MC's who really, like really WILL have a personality, whichever you pick for them. Next, the art. I like it a lot, quite unique style, very pretty and warm. I loved character creator, not very complex but doing it's job well. Music is quite good too, keeping the atmosphere well. There was one or two serene tracks I really wish to just loop on background and relax... That's about pros. Cons? Not much, there is only one which comes to mind right now - there are issues with voices. I love voice acting in the story, don't get me wrong, actors did absolutely beautiful job. But some voices are too loud while others barely audible, subtle and quiet. I spend about first half an hour just tinkering sliders in audio box. These sound jumps gave me a slight headache before I managed to tune it. That's about it, just my first impressions. Loved the story, will play again after a bit of a rest. Galdra Studios, keep creating a great stories for bards to sing!
• gamedeal user

  Nov 21, 2021

  This is a very well made Visual Novel. It negates many of the things that usually irk me about the genre and finds solutions to them. For example. You actually get to decide what your character says! And not just "occasionally." Basically any time you are talked to directly you get to choose how to respond and there a number of different personality types for you shape your character with. Another thing that this game does right that usually bugs me in other VN's is that: the other characters actually have relationships and conversations with each other, sometimes without your character even having an input. It makes the world and characters feel much more real and alive, and not like they are all just swarming to you because you are the protagonist. The voice acting is also stellar. Like, better than some AAA titles I've played. They felt like real people more than characters and were (Mostly) all likable and even the one I didn't like was still believable. Character creation is a bonus though I wish it had more options. Background music is varied and pleasant enough that it doesn't drive you crazy. There's even a couple tracks when things get pretty harry that are good. Two complaints. One, the main story is a bit cliche. Save the world. But the characters carry it well enough and they each have their own motivation for being there and their own personal interests that are bigger than "Well, If I wasn't here, bad things would happen." They are all goal driven and have their own wants and needs and flaws. My other complaint is that my FAVORITE character, Mime, is not a romance option. I have not complete the game yet (currently about 70% done) so their might be a story reason for it, but I'd be lying if I wasn't majorly bummed out when I discovered this, so much to the point where I had to stop playing for the night when I found out... That being said, I do really recommend the game. It has too many things done well, done REALLY well, to ignore if you are into the genre. It's probably the most enjoyable VN I've played since VA-11 Hall-A.
• gamedeal user

  Nov 21, 2021

  In my time, I've played more than a few visual novels. I feel no shame for that aside for the sheer volume of them all. I'm sure the next line more than a few would expect me to use would be "So, in comparison to-" or "On a scale of how this rates-", but I won't, because that's not the point of a review. A review is for marking out all of somethings virtues and sins, and if you're on the fence about getting this game or not those generic comparisons are less than helpful, so I'd appreciate it greatly if you'd take a moment to read my overly wordy ramblings, please. Now reviews being reviews, opinions will always play into it, so I'll say this now, I loved this game. Which is why I'm taking this time to speak out for it, because I'll be honest. I loved it, I loved the characters, the plot, the mechanics, the art, all of it, I loved this game. I won't try to sell you something like "This is the best game I've ever played" or something meaninglessly hyperbolic. I just... genuinely enjoyed my time with it, any complaints I'd have with it are honestly nothing when looking back on the experience as a whole. But I'd like to try to put my feelings about it into words. The biggest point I'd award this game, would be for it's characters because, at least for the main cast, I loved them all, every single one. I need you to consider for a moment what that means, for every *single* romance option in a visual novel game, to be genuinely delightful or lovable in every way? There wasn't a single unlikable thing about them to me, every single one made me want to start a new save and romance them. Even without romance playing into it, becoming friends with them was honestly just fun to me. They are all amazingly well written, lovingly crafted, and beautifully voice acted characters. I *hate* VA in stories like this, because it always forces this singular over simplified version of the character to the forefront, but not this time, every single actor did an incredible job portraying the full depths of their character, without losing any of their personality in the interpretation. Even without that, every character is so life like and well written, they were genuinely a joy to get to know, and to watch as they interact with each other, to see how their personalities, their ideals, and their prejudices clash and intertwine, that alone was worth the price of admission for me, if there was an animated series of just the party being the party, I would shell out way too much money just to watch it. Basically I'd simp for every single one of the party members with no regrets. Now as for the story, you'll note this is by far the shortest section, because the setting isn't all that uncommon, but even still I enjoyed it a lot. It was no masterpiece of course, very few stories are flawless, but it did a great job of making you feel invested in what was happening, and like your characters choices, their thoughts, and feelings, were all integral pieces to how it unfolds. It made me *want* to save the day, to become the hero, even through doubts, fears, and roadblocks. The game play segments were some of my favorite parts, in what is basically a digital picture book, the mini-game that should've just been filler, was just way too fun for what it was. The main game play mechanic is a simple alchemy mini-game that is more or less a 3 piece slide puzzle. This is obviously nothing in in scope like an atelier game, it's just a quick little puzzle you flip through, but then it starts giving you these challenges, and you get more story and background for one of the best characters as you go through it's completion, until before you realize it, you can't wait til you unlock the next ingredient and set of recipes because you've already perfected all of the previous ones. It's just, fun, it satisfies my brain in a way that it, what is basically a more complex children's puzzle, really shouldn't. it even plays into the main story and side quests in unexpected ways "Oh what's that pretty florist? you needed an alchemical solution to your problem? Why, I have one of those in my bag right now!" I just... it's a good game dude, I know it has a pretty high price for a VN, I get it, but I loved it lots. Is the price worth it? For you? no idea, that's not something anyone could tell you, but for me? 100% yes.
• gamedeal user

  Nov 28, 2021

  This is a beautiful visual novel, with gorgeous art, interesting characters, and a unique world. It feels unique among the many other visual novels I've played. It reminds me a little of a mix between Dragon Age: Origins and a visual novel, with character banter and quests, as well as your usual visual novel elements. Really the only negative thing I could say about this game is that it's too short, but that's also a compliment because I've just finished and I already want more. I could play this for many more hours and be happy. I would highly recommend this game for people who like a game with a well-written story, an interesting fantasy world, and characters who are easy to fall in love with.
• gamedeal user

  Dec 10, 2021

  made me cry but has sexy man with long hair
• gamedeal user

  Jan 8, 2022

  I adored this game. The lore and characters are amazing, the voice acting is excellent and the art style makes me want to grab my tablet and try out new things. I became so attached to these characters and love how they went from a group of begrudging allies to a found family that would fight for each other! The puzzles are fun and I appreciate that the romance aspects were a different dialogue branch, its a small thing but it was nice that you can play this game without going down one of the romance paths. My one and only complaint is that I felt like the ending was rather fast. I still enjoyed it, but it seemed a bit rushed and tied up quickly.
• gamedeal user

  Jan 16, 2022

  I cant put into words how much i enjoyed the narrative of Arcadia Fallen while the setting of the story while it may seem small and contained at first it is through the games brilliant characters that you truly feel the world around you is alive.
• gamedeal user

  Feb 6, 2022

  Let me preface this by saying that this is the first time I'm actually bothering to write a review for any of the games I've bought off Steam... Honestly? I loved this game. Everything about it is simply...charming. I loved the plot, the characters, the art.... I've completed one playthrough of the game and honestly? I'm so satisfied by it that I'm reluctant to play again because I love the narrative that my choices crafted. The way the story ended felt right--I played the game by picking choices that were true to myself. And, I love that! That's something I rarely find in any game! Seriously, the game was wonderful and I'd recommend it.
• gamedeal user

  Mar 22, 2022

  Good Stuff: Pleasant art, lots of voice acting. Less Than Good Stuff: Characterizations feels flat, lack of meaningful interactions between player character and party members, lack of meaningful interactions between party members, generic anime story. Bottom Line: Visual novels are hard to anticipate because they can take awhile to get interesting. Unfortunately, this meant waiting more than the two allowed hours to request a refund. There's nothing especially bad about Arcadia Fallen, but there's also nothing especially good either. it's just there. Certainly not worth a full-price purchase.
• gamedeal user

  Apr 1, 2022

  Awesome. I'm sure it's incredibly interesting and entertaining even if you decide to choose the heartless options, but I can't bring myself to disappoint any of the characters lol. 10/10.