I’m a big fan of indie titles like Limbo, Inside, Somerville, and Planet of Lana, which deliver hard-hitting narratives through the simple mechanic of moving left and right on a 2D plane in a 3D world. I am just a sucker for puzzle-platformers that ooze style. And, it’s that style that often draws me me in before the gameplay, and the same can be said for American Arcadia, the latest title from Madrid-based Out of the Blue Games.
Two and a Half Dee
American Arcadia is 2.5D puzzle-platformer introduces a few interesting twists to keep things fresh. It also delivers a compelling story that will keep you guessing until the credits roll. And, the game wraps its gameplay in a futuristic vision of the ’70s, setting itself apart stylistically.
If you’ve seen The Truman Show, then you’ll have a solid foundation for understanding American Arcadia. However, instead of a reality centred around one man, it’s an entire city constructed as part of a massive, ongoing reality show.
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You play as Trevor Hills, who has called Arcadia home for the past 28 years. Trevor, like Truman, knows nothing of the outside world. That is, until one day, a mysterious voice contacts him with a series of cryptic messages.
These are from Kovacs, who wants to help Trevor escape the city while revealing that Trevor’s entire life has been a carefully orchestrated lie. The catalyst for this revelation comes when Trevor is ‘selected’ for a vacation to destinations beyond Arcadia.
X-Factor
He soon discovers that this supposed holiday is not what it seems. In Arcadia, every individual is rated based on their viewership. And, if they fail to attract enough viewers, they receive a one-way trip to ‘holiday destinations outside of Arcadia’.
The story is an engaging thrill ride, full of twists and turns that will have you second-guessing your next move over its 4 to 5-hour runtime, as you slowly uncover the city’s secrets and the truth behind your existence.
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That said, the game lacks subtlety in its messaging. American Arcadia can be heavy-handed in its critique of corporate greed—its stance on big, faceless corporations is clear to the point of being somewhat on the nose.
Duality of Modes
Gameplay is split into two main sections. The first focuses on Trevor, who frequently finds himself evading authorities. This segment introduces platforming mechanics, along with light puzzle-solving. Here, American Arcadia requires precise timing for jumps and environmental interaction, such as moving crates to progress.
The second section sees you controlling Kovacs as the game shifts to a first-person perspective. Here, the puzzles become more intricate, involving tasks such as opening doors, bypassing laser grids, and manipulating environmental objects.
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At times, Kovacs will directly influence Trevor’s sections. Utilising security cameras to navigate obstacles, turning on lights, unlocking doors, and even controlling drones to assist with stealth and exploration.
The puzzles never feel too demanding, and the pacing is well-balanced. American Arcadia only had a handful of moments that truly had me stumped. But even then, the solution was often simply a matter of turning around and trying a different approach.
Actual Arcadia
Visually, American Arcadia is incredibly stylish, fully embracing its futuristic ’70s-inspired aesthetic within Arcadia. Kovacs’ sections, meanwhile, contrast sharply, adopting a modernist design approach.
The sound design is equally impressive, with a well-crafted soundtrack that complements the tone of the game. The voice acting is particularly strong, with Marvel’s Spider-Man’s Yuri Lowenthal delivering a standout performance as Trevor Hills.
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American Arcadia is a highly engaging puzzle-platformer. It’s a game that strikes the right balance between challenge and accessibility while delivering a gripping narrative.
It’s not the most nuanced in terms of storytelling, and its critique of corporate control is far from subtle. However, the journey remains compelling, taking an ordinary man and daring him to break free from an artificial existence—while bringing you along for the ride.
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