Arise: A Simple Story

 PC
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. 3DJuegos
    Dec 19, 2019
    85
    Its ingenious design that allows us to manipulate time remains agile and fresh since it refuses to repeat mechanics in each of its ten levels, while the story is simple, yes, but it reaches the heart.
  2. TrueGaming
    Dec 3, 2019
    85
    If you like video games with artistic approach you will probably fall in love with Arise's heartwarming story and beautiful music.
  3. The Games Machine
    Dec 2, 2019
    84
    Arise: A Simple Story is a puzzle platform game with a soul. It’s a beautiful and touching trip through the emotions of the protagonist and the player. Even if short and without words, Arise can say a lot to the heart.
  5. Adventure Gamers
    May 4, 2020
    80
    Arise uses creative level design, gorgeous visuals and challenging environmental puzzles to explore the length and breadth of a full lifetime. A few presentation issues aside, it’s a moving, thought-provoking experience that tells a complete story with scarcely a word.
  6. GamingTrend
    Mar 10, 2020
    80
    Likening this game to the movie Up, Arise: A Simple Story is much more than what its title lets on. It forces us to take a step back and analyze life. With its time control mechanics that manipulate the world in so many ways, platforming style of play, and its ability to tell a narrative story without dialogue, Arise is one of those games that makes you question whether small titles like this are becoming the status quo.
  7. Edge Magazine
    Jan 31, 2020
    80
    This is a beautiful game from top to bottom: a feast for the eyes, a treat for the ears, a test for the brain and thumbs and a good old stress-test for the heart and tear ducts. This is a rare sort of debut: one that marks out its developer as one to watch. [Issue#342, p.112]
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  8. GRYOnline.pl
    Dec 17, 2019
    80
    Quotation forthcoming.
  9. TheGamer
    Dec 12, 2019
    80
    So bring a box of tissues and brace yourself for emotional impact, because Arise: A Simple Story is perhaps the most tearjerking game you'll play this year.
  10. Gameblog.fr
    Dec 6, 2019
    80
    In Arise: A Simple Story, everything seems simple. It's quite easy to play - even though controls are clunky - and quite easy to understand. But it's not easy to forget, as it is a superb and very emotional tale, with superb visuals, fantastic music and a very moving story - that will make you easily cry.
  11. The Indie Game Website
    Dec 3, 2019
    80
    Arise: A Simple Story is one of the stronger ‘Journey-like’ experiences I’ve played. Its awe-inspiring levels that morph with the flow of time are only hampered slightly by a few design problems. What’s more, the titular ‘simple story’ is heartfelt and elegantly told. Minor frustrations aside, this is a lovely little tale that’s easy to recommend.
  12. PC Invasion
    Dec 2, 2019
    80
    Arise tells a simple, yet moving story with beautiful graphics and incredible musical score. However, its gameplay sometimes tends to work against itself, despite its intuitive controls.
  13. Meristation
    Jan 4, 2020
    76
    Arise: A Simple Story presents a beautiful marriage between gameplay and narrative. With an emotional story always at its center, the platformer elements and level design elegantly support it, even if they never elevate the end result in a significant way.
  14. GameOver.gr
    Dec 13, 2019
    65
    Arise has a charming visual style in the vein of a more simplistic Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons, including a somewhat diverse time manipulation element. Nevertheless, the quality between levels is a bit uneven and the developer’s effort for symbolic touches misses the mark quite often.
  15. Jeuxvideo.com
    Dec 2, 2019
    65
    Arise: A Simple Story draws the player's attention with a beautiful art and sound design but quickly fails to keep it due to repetitive gameplay mechanics.

Awards & Rankings

95
#95 Best PC Game of 2019

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 59 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 36 out of 59
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 59
  3. Negative: 13 out of 59
  1. praisethepickle
    Dec 4, 2019
    10
    Arise completely took my breath away. Ever since the reveal trailer I've been looking forward to playing this game, thinking I'd experience aArise completely took my breath away. Ever since the reveal trailer I've been looking forward to playing this game, thinking I'd experience a visually appealing, fun, platforming adventure. I was not expecting something as authentic and memorable as this. I made my account to write this spoiler-free review.

    Visually, Arise is stunning - low poly models combined with a variety of techniques to render interesting textures and lighting effects create a world that pops out of the screen. Each map has it's own, completely unique palette of colours that convey a range of feelings as you traverse them.

    Your character has no facial expressions, and says no words. The story is told through excellent animations and varied, dynamic environments that become interactive through the use of your time control abilities. The developers seemingly make a point of keeping everything as simple as possible - so that you focus on the important things (a theme that has stuck with me since I finished the game) - but the animations are crisp, expressive, varied and give the character weight in a world that moves all the way between punishing and serene.

    Each level is a chronological reflection of your characters life up until his death (the game starts with your character at his funeral, and is a reflection on his life up until that moment). Themes of love, loss, despair, empathy, discovery and growth are all present and presented in beautiful, poetic ways.

    What really tied the entire experience together - was the music. An utterly gorgeous orchestral soundtrack to accompany every level, emotion and movement that at times, felt almost interactive in it's own right. I will not spoil anymore here - but it is one of the best and most fitting game soundtracks I've ever heard.

    Collectables add huge value to the story, filling in gaps and further evolving the character and his connection to loved ones.

    The game is not difficult, nor does it play itself. Instead, you flow from area to area, soaking up the art that can be utterly overwhelming at times, in the best possible way.

    When the credits rolled, I had tears in my eyes, and was left speechless. I wanted to speak to my family immediately, and tell them how much I loved them. The emotions that this game instilled in me are ones that I haven't felt from a video game for a long time.

    In my eyes, Arise stands on the shoulders of giants such as Journey and Brothers: Tale Of Two Sons, at the pinnacle of video games as an art form. This is an experience I will never forget.

    If you liked any of the aforementioned games, please pick this up. This is quite possibly my game of the year... and I have played a lot of games this year.

    An absolute masterpiece.    … Full Review »
  2. Hectorgomez81
    Dec 3, 2019
    10
    Brilliant! Very interesting gameplay, 4D puzzle platformer (3D + time control).
    Music and art style are simply stunning.
    One of the best    Brilliant! Very interesting gameplay, 4D puzzle platformer (3D + time control).
    Music and art style are simply stunning.
    One of the best games this year.    … Full Review »
  3. hileger
    Jan 28, 2023
    7
    ТУпо пойдет ТУпо пойдет ТУпо пойдет ТУпо пойдет ТУпо пойдет ТУпо пойдет
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