American Arcadia

“American Arcadia is one of those little-known gems that emerge from time to time in the gaming world. It's a title that invests heavily in narrative, social commentary, and artistic style, and it often hits the mark.”

“American Arcadia may not have a particularly original premise, but it does present recycled ideas in unique packaging.”

“Provocative and entertaining, American Arcadia's high-concept premise, inventive storytelling, and creative gameplay scenarios place it alongside its closest inspirations.”

“American Arcadia is a narrative gem that confirms Out of the Blue's talent for crafting engaging and emotionally compelling stories, supported by a striking visual style and a gameplay component that, while relatively simple, proves to be effective and well-integrated in service of the narrative.”

“American Arcadia creates a strong retro tone and spins its yarn at a perfect pace - a puzzle-platformer worth experiencing.”

“Whether you've come for a good yarn, intense drama, or intriguing puzzles, American Arcadia has you covered nicely without ever overstaying its welcome. Experiencing Trevor's story and the interplay between Trevor and Angela is engaging and high-quality entertainment. It's brief, and the characters aren't particularly interesting, but American Arcadia is a game with plenty to say - an inspired, brief, but pleasurable title that deserves attention.”

“American Arcadia, from developer Out of the Blue Games S.L. and publisher Raw Fury, was a suspenseful and thrilling adventure. While the gameplay didn’t challenge the narrative for the limelight, there were still enough interactive elements to call this a solid gaming experience.”

“For those looking for a fresh and unique take on interactive storytelling, this delivers a memorable journey that blends cinematic flair with clever gameplay twists.”

“The story is fun to watch unfold and it has many entertaining gameplay segments, too; that is, if you have patience for the more frustrating moments. 🏃‍♂️”

“Just fun entertainment on the theme of The Truman Show: not deep, but not stupid either; full of references and stylization, but not entirely derivative; funny, heartfelt and ultimately life-affirming – but with an inevitable bitter aftertaste.”

“American Arcadia takes The Truman Show's core concept and updates it for the 2020s with a two-sided tale of escape, freedom and corporate control. The gameplay is mainly there to help deliver this story, but I always wanted Trevor to keep running to get me to the final moments and grand reveal.”

“With a strong atmosphere, interesting story, and engaging but fairly simple mix of puzzle and platforming gameplay, American Arcadia makes for a memorable place to visit - and escape from.”

“American Arcadia is a sharp, snappy production that could make for an entertaining film if it wasn't peppered with ingenious puzzles and platforming challenges. The dual character scenario is exploited brilliantly, adding variety, originality and humour, and even if some sections lack a real sense of participation, the visual design of Arcadia, along with some smart turns in the plot, ensure momentum through to the end.”

“Taking six to eight hours to complete, I’ve blasted through American Arcadia in just two sittings, being utterly gripped the whole time. The side-scrolling platforming and first-person puzzle gameplay blend together seamlessly, with the story here being king. Despite a few small presentation issues that need ironing out, the gameplay here is flawless – and jumping from Angela’s first-person viewpoint to being in control of a side-scrolling Trevor via her computer monitor is nothing short of genius. If you enjoy adventure and puzzles, and like the sound of a story that’s reminiscent of The Truman Show, this is a game not to be missed.”

“It’s indicative of the game’s clear messaging that despite multiple car crashes, a delirious dream sequence, a high-stakes infiltration, and more, the moment that most stands out is a relatively quiet one: Trevor sitting at a piano, playing an original piece that he’s composed. For all the time spent controlling him up to that point, this is the first time where Angela, and by extension the player, can see him as an independent person, one capable of making his own decisions (in this case, his art). That glimpse of his humanity is a moving little flourish that attests to American Arcadia’s belief that we all deserve freedom from coercion and an unreal life.”

“American Arcadia turns The Truman Show into an interactive indie thriller you don't want to miss.”