Arise: A Simple Story - Definitive Edition

 Switch
Arise: A Simple Story - Definitive Edition Image
Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 8 Ratings

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  • Summary: Arise: A Simple Story is a critically acclaimed 3D time manipulation narrative adventure. Embark on a journey about happiness and hardship, joy and sorrow. A story that all of us will one day experience – the loss of our closest loved ones and how we remember them. Manipulate time, solveArise: A Simple Story is a critically acclaimed 3D time manipulation narrative adventure. Embark on a journey about happiness and hardship, joy and sorrow. A story that all of us will one day experience – the loss of our closest loved ones and how we remember them. Manipulate time, solve puzzles, and reshape surroundings as you push forward into the bittersweet recollections of a past life and see how one’s life can be shaped by the presence of a soulmate. Each level is a metaphorical representation of the stages of life and how our memories shape these recollections. The game also supports an easy to pick up couch co-op feature allowing you to play together with a loved one.… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. COGconnected
    May 9, 2022
    87
    Arise: A Simple Story may exactly be just that but the emotions and journey we go through is anything but. With a serene and breathtaking art style, I wasn’t quite expecting to experience such intense feelings. You really have to appreciate the love and nuanced care that developer Untold Tales put into this game. In total, the Arise is about 4-6 hours long depending on how quickly you go. But I assure you every moment is so worth it, I almost wish there was more. If this title slipped under your radar on its initial release, I would recommend picking it up for the Switch; however, I would also encourage you to have a box of tissues handy for those hard-hitting moments. You’ll need them, trust me.
  2. Finger Guns
    Apr 28, 2022
    80
    Arise – A Simple Story contains a beautifully told story within a charming puzzle adventure. With poignant moments and joyful visuals, this game has the ability to capture a breadth of emotion with ease. It’s a short but worthy edition to narrative driven puzzle games.
  3. VGC
    Apr 28, 2022
    80
    Arise is a beautiful, devastating and uplifting game that suffers from some technical issues on Switch, but not enough to spoil the experience.
  4. Shindig
    Apr 29, 2022
    80
    The new features are arguably a little superficial, but then again, just having Arise: A Simple Story on Switch—a platform it feels like it should have been on all along—is the major draw for this Definitive Edition. Arise is a beautiful story of life, love, and loss, delivered with care, nuance, and heart-rending potency. It’s a simple story, for sure, but that simplicity is part of what makes it so universal, and so powerful.
  5. Pure Nintendo
    May 4, 2022
    80
    Arise: A Simple Story should be recognised as a beautiful and touching story, no matter its short length. It’s a heartwarming and truly captivating journey – providing you allow yourself to be immersed in the narrative. With the stop/start nature of the loading screens and the long-winded gameplay, this can be hard but definitely worth pushing through.
  6. Starbit
    Sep 29, 2022
    80
    Arise: A Simple Story - Definitive Edition is an emotional and visually striking journey where a simple but involving gameplay will bring players to focus on the experience, while its exquisite soundtrack fits perfectly with the game's purpose. Featuring a deliberately slow pace that will soothe the most stressful souls, Arise is a very welcoming work that will fit very well in anyone's Nintendo Switch, especially in this Definitive Edition that brings a good amount of additional content.
  7. Impulsegamer
    May 23, 2022
    80
    Arise: A Simple Story is a fantastic indie game from Piccolo Studio’s, demonstrating incredible talent. The platforming is fun and engaging, allowing anyone to dive right in without too high of a skill gap. Each world is wonderful and vibrant, with each offering a unique and interesting platforming puzzle to make every level stand out in its own way. If you’re a fan of games like Journey or Last Day of June, this game will definitely scratch that itch.

See all 9 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. drekkard
    May 11, 2022
    10
    Played the PS4 version and found it a masterpiece, even with its flaws. A game that tries to do something different, powerful and honest,Played the PS4 version and found it a masterpiece, even with its flaws. A game that tries to do something different, powerful and honest, creating raw emotions through gameplay, not exposition.

    The Switch version comes with obvious downgrades but keeps the core of what made the original version great, plus an incredible OST and an interesting Art Book.    … Expand
  2. bitterologist
    May 28, 2022
    9
    Somewhat janky controls, but beautifully crafted and with some neat mechanics.
  4. eskway
    May 3, 2023
    9
    Deeply emotional and evocative story, told through beautiful visuals and an amazing soundtrack. One point off because of some awkward controlsDeeply emotional and evocative story, told through beautiful visuals and an amazing soundtrack. One point off because of some awkward controls / rendering delays.… Expand
  5. besiegedparent
    Jul 25, 2023
    9
    A beautiful, evocative game that masterfully (and wordlessly) blends gameplay and music to capture the emotions and experiences in a humanA beautiful, evocative game that masterfully (and wordlessly) blends gameplay and music to capture the emotions and experiences in a human lifetime. So brilliantly designed, the first thing I did upon finishing was to look up other games by the studio. I’ve giving it a 9 instead of a 10 for the sometimes janky controls, but those issues are relatively minor.… Expand
  6. Weight4Jake
    May 11, 2022
    7
    Not the most exciting game. Pretty to look at. Peaceful, light puzzler platformer.
  7. drlowdon
    May 8, 2022
    6
    When an elderly man dies he revisits past memories from his life, both the happy and the sad.

    Arise contains many elements that gamers    When an elderly man dies he revisits past memories from his life, both the happy and the sad.

    Arise contains many elements that gamers would have seen in similar titles, but the emotional story and excellent score means it can still be very affecting at times. In gameplay terms the central concept is the ability to move time forwards or backwards, and each level is able to use this to create a series of unique, and mostly well crafted puzzles. Unfortunately the platforming can often be incredibly frustrating due to the imprecise controls and awkward camera angles, and as a result it can’t be considered a must play.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

56
#56 Best Switch Game of 2022
84
#84 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2022