Kingdom of Arcadia (KoA) follows Sam (an avid fan of video games) as he is pulled into a pixelated world in his father’s old arcade cabinet.
Audio (★★★☆☆)
✔️ Average and limited sound design
❌ Audio doesn’t seem to provide any atmospheric experience
Story (★☆☆☆☆)
✔️ Simple Mission: Clear levels and save the world
❌ Little dialogues throughout the game
❌ Translations are rough around the edges
Gameplay (★★★☆☆)
✔️ 2D fantasy side-scrolling platformer
✔️ Each level has multiple routes
✔️ Straightforward hack-and-slash combat
✔️ Hidden items and areas to search for
✔️ Item upgrades
✔️ Easy-to-grasp controls
✔️ Increase in environmental challenge
❌ No map whatsoever
❌ No checkpoints available
❌ Game is too simplistic
❌ Reskinned enemies
❌ Repetitive grind to upgrade
❌ Gets repetitive after a while
❌ Intrusive ads
Graphics (★☆☆☆☆)
✔️ Generic yet crisp retro pixel art style
❌ Basic animations
❌ Each stage seems like a reskin of the one before, but with minor differences
Verdict (★★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆)
As much as I’d like to consider this game as a throwback to old school games, I’d say that KoA didn’t hit the nail at all. Despite the nostalgia and the game’s simplicity, nothing else seems to be able to retain my attention (especially the terrible translations). It was quite a turn off really.
Unless you’re a fan of fantasy and action side-scrolling platformers, I’d recommend you to go for something more exciting.
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