Game: American Arcadia
Genre: Adventure, Indie
System: Steam (Windows)
Developer | Publisher: Out of the Blue Games | Raw Fury
Controller Support: Yes
Price: US $19.99 | UK £16.75| EU € 19,50
Release Date: November 15th, 2023
Review code used with many thanks to Johnny Atom PR.
American Arcadia is an adventure puzzle game developed by Out of the Blue Games and will be released by Raw Fury. It is a game I’ve been excited about for a while because everything developed by the creators of the ridiculously pretty 2020 adventure Call of the Sea is worth waiting for.
American Arcadia Story
We start with Trevor, an average ordinary office clerk who enjoys his mundane life in Arcadia, a retro-futuristic 70s metropolis. Unfortunately, Trevor doesn’t know that Arcadia is not an actual city but an elaborate set for the planet’s most popular reality TV show.
Trevor’s mundane existence means that he is at the rock bottom of popularity for the viewers of American Arcadia, and that means he’ll be kicked off, or rather eliminated, unless he escapes. Luckily, Trevor is not alone.
Angela works for American Arcadia and decides that Trevor must be saved. Using her technical knowledge, she sets out to clear the way for Trevor to escape.
Gameplay
American Arcadia is an exciting experience gameplay-wise. It’s like two games made into one; on the one hand, we are playing as Trevor in a classic side-scrolling platformer game. On the other hand, it is as in a first-person puzzle game.
We must combine the two characters’ strengths and weaknesses to complete the game. In a way, American Arcadia feels like a missed chance; it would make for a beautiful multiplayer puzzle game like Operation Tango. On the other hand, there are plenty of video adventures like that one, and more single-player ones are needed.
While playing as Trevor, we must move forward, whether by walking, running, or jumping. There is no running button. Trevor adjusts his gait based on where he is walking. If there are Travel agents after him, run away fast. He walks as if trying to blend into his surroundings, say, into a luxurious hotel.
As I mentioned, this part of the gameplay is a traditional side-scrolling platformer. It’s also 2.5D, rendered beautifully, with twists and turns and a real breathing world.
While playing as Angela, we have a first-person puzzle adventure game. Rarely do we leave our computer desk, primarily working through the CCTV, clearing the way for Trevor by unlocking doors and creating distractions.
Angela is also the one with the actual information, so through her, we learn more about Arcadia, real and fictional. Playing as Angela at the very beginning was how I got so engrossed in the game; there was a sequence where she had to hack some security footage. After doing our business, she remarked that she had to restore the original settings to the CCTV before quickly doing so. Imagine that level of detail!
Transitioning between Trevor and Angela is done quickly and smoothly through the tab button for the keyboard/ mouse combo. You can use the CCTV to track Trevor. You can also control Trevor while playing as Angela looks through the CCTV. In a way, it’s like a simulation of what a multiplayer would look like.
Accessibility Options
American Arcadia starts with an epilepsy warning; a small percentage of players may experience epileptic seizures when exposed to specific light patterns or flashing lights.
At the beginning of the game, you can choose text language and whether or not to use subtitles. Under Options, you can also decide on their size and background. You can also find the standard video, audio, and control options there. There are no control remapping options as of now. For video options, it’s worth mentioning that you can turn off motion blur and “head bobbing,” which should help if you experience motion sickness while gaming.
A Tomorrowland?
Stylistically speaking, American Arcadia is a beautiful game. It’s done with great attention to detail and has a 70s vibe. It’s colorful and funky. It also kept reminding me of The Silent Age, but that’s the only game I could think of being set in the ’70s.
Besides being visually appealing, American Arcadia also has an excellent soundtrack. The music is cinematic in quality. It’s appropriate for the tense atmosphere the chases create. The voice acting is terrific, with an appropriate amount of sass between the characters.
The whole game is very cinematic, with smooth transitions between scenes, cutscenes, and play mode. The way it starts, with the main character being interviewed about his experience, the jumps in time between present and past, the title screens, and even the way the voiceover carries on during the cutscenes.
It feels like an old spy or even speculative sci-fi movie, where you happen to be able to take part in the narrative. The way the camera zooms in and out on Trevor not only highlights the scale of Arcadia but also compliments the cinematic experience of the game. It is so well done. It’s on the scale with my other cinematic favorite of the year, Planet of Lana.
The contrast between the two parts of the gameplay is startling. Trevor’s world is colorful and happy, while Angela lives in a cloudy, rainy megapolis. Whereas his world is filled with warm reds and oranges, Angela’s is sleek and grey. The color scheme, combined with the decision to have Trevor’s part as a side-scroller platformer and Angela’s as a first-person adventure, only highlights that he lives in a TV show, whereas she’s in the real world.
Side Notes
American Arcadia has achievements on Steam but has yet to get trading cards. It is also Steam Deck verified. I didn’t see anything too strenuous in terms of difficulty, so it should be fine for most people. The demo is available now on Steam.
Conclusion
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!
Final Verdict: Two Thumbs Up: 