American Arcadia

Explosion Network: 9 / 10 by Wil James

I largely do not have a lot to say about American Arcadia other than it's excellent. Out of the Blue Games has served up a well-rounded narrative puzzle adventure that largely succeeds in all areas.

Slant Magazine: 4 / 5 by Aaron Riccio

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.

Use a Potion: 9 / 10

I loved American Arcadia, with the zany narrative and clever blend of 2.5D platforming and first-person puzzling making for a unique and memorable experience. There are plenty of twists in the comical narrative to keep players wholly invested in Trevor and Angela’s plight, whilst you’re constantly put into creative scenarios that’ll test both your platforming and puzzling skills. You’ve got to be on the ball if you want to succeed in your journey, and whilst there were a few puzzles that fell short of the mark, I found it hard to put the controller down when playing. American Arcadia is just really, REALLY good and definitely stands out as one of the best platforming-puzzlers that I’ve played this year.