
Release Date: November 15, 2023
A cross between a first-person adventure game and an action platformer. American Arcadia is set in the titular metropolis, its people unknowingly participating in a reality show, where losing popularity among the audience gets them killed.
American Arcadia is a creative cross between an adventure game and an aciton platformer. It was developed by Out of the Blue, also known for Call of the Sea.
American Arcadia is set in the alternate 1970s, in Arcadia, a retrofuturistic, seemingly idyllic metropolis. Unbeknownst to its citizens, though, they're all unwilling contestants in the most popular reality show in the world, their lives broadcast on TV 24/7. To make matters more, losing popularity among the audience results in death. Both of our playable characters must learn the truth about Arcadia and find a way out.
American Arcadia could be considered two games in one. When playing as the first character, the game is first-person, tasking us with exploring different areas, hacking devices and gathering intel. As the second character, the game is a side-scroller, tasking us with jumping on platforms, avoiding traps and escaping pursuers. There are numerous puzzles to solve and stealth segments to get through.
The story is conveyed through documentary-like cutscenes, which show interviews and interrogations.
American Arcadia features cartoonish visuals, the bright color palette during the day contrasting dark areas traversed during the night. The game features an all-star voice cast, starring Yuri Lowenthal (Marvel's Spider-Man, Prince of Persia: Sands of Time), Krizia Bajos (Cyberpunk 2077) and Cissy Jones (Firewatch, Life is Strange).
Platforms:
PC Windows November 15, 2023
PlayStation 4 May 15, 2025
Xbox One May 15, 2025
Nintendo Switch May 15, 2025
PlayStation 5 May 15, 2025
Xbox Series X/S May 15, 2025
Developer: Out of the Blue
Publisher: Raw Fury Games
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System Requirements for American Arcadia Video Game:
PC / Windows
Minimum System Requirements:
Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4 GHz, 8 GB RAM, graphic card 4 GB GeForce GTX 1050 Ti or better, 20 GB HDD, Windows 10 64-bit.
Recommended System Requirements:
Intel Core i7-6700 3.4 GHz, 16 GB RAM, graphic card 8 GB GeForce RTX 2070 or better, 20 GB HDD, Windows 10 64-bit.
Game Ratings for American Arcadia Video Game.
Video Chums: 7.6 / 10 by Mary Billington
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. ???>?
Thumb Culture: 5 / 5
To sum up, American Arcadia blends story with a aesthetic that gives it a distinct identity. The dual-character gameplay keeps things fresh, ensuring you stay hooked from start to finish. The game belongs on anybody’s playlist and so for its unique premise, polished execution, and sheer entertainment value. American Arcadia easily earns the Thumb Culture Platinum Award.
Xbox Tavern: 8.7 / 10 by James Davie
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.
Average score from votes.