Arise: A Simple Story

Arise: A Simple Story on Xbox One is a brilliantly devised game and it’s been a huge pleasure to play. It’s a splendid wordless story with a perfect amount of gameplay hours for the price, and it’s right up there with the very best games I’ve played this year.

Even with some stumbles, Arise is a game that knows what it wants to communicate, and does so with delicacy and sensitivity. I’ve found individual scenes coming back to mind frequently since I completed the game, most notably the moving sequence that closes the game. Accept the dilemma of a few bad jumping sequences, and push toward the emotional core, as this simple story has a lot of wisdom to share.

Despite very slight niggles over control and getting myself lost, the reality is that Piccolo Studio have delivered an incredible debut full of rich storytelling, tear-filled beauty and unforgettable moments. Their own attention to detail and the obvious love they have poured into this game lift it far beyond the heavens their hero seeks. Whether a debut outing or otherwise, the game is outstanding. They may have also just delivered my game of the year.

In many categories, Arise: A Simple Story is a step above many other games, and is one of the best indie games of the year, for sure. The local co-op experience being dull for the second player is an admittedly big flaw, but those that are able to overlook it will find a memorable co-op game that they won't regret experiencing.

Arise: A Simple Story is an exploration game, platforms and puzzles in which Piccolo Studios invites us to know the life of our protagonist after his death. Through beautiful and hard-working scenarios we will advance controlling the time and environments at will to solve the different challenges that are presented to us. Varied in mechanics to the same end Arise: A Simple Story knows how to tell a story without making use of a single note or audio, still knowing how to reach the hearts of the players.

Arise: A Simple Story is a game that coasts on its gentle visual language. It’s a good option for those looking for a family-friendly game.

Despite its issues, there’s no question a lot of love has gone into Arise. This is a deeply personal story of love and loss, a point hammered home by affecting end credits where the team leave little messages of gratitude for their loved ones. Though this pumped-up OAP may stumble along the way, his time-tweaking quest ultimately rises above. [Issue#186, p.74]

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.