Review: Aarik and the Devastated Kingdom

Aarik and the Ruined Kingdom offers a unique twist on the puzzle genre, crafted by the talented indie team at Shatterproof Games. In this game, you step into the shoes of Aarik, a young prince with a lot on his plate—his father is bedridden, his mother is missing, and, true to the game’s title, his kingdom lies in ruins. Armed with his father’s crown, Aarik embarks on a journey through a series of isometric levels that bend and shift, revealing hidden paths to advance his quest.

As you progress, Aarik gains access to special crystals that enhance his abilities. These crystals come in four distinct colors, each offering unique powers. With these gems, you can rewind time to rebuild structures, reposition towers, and even control robotic allies to prevail in puzzling challenges. These newfound abilities not only enrich the gameplay but also segment the game into distinct phases, keeping things fresh and engaging.

A key aspect of Aarik and the Ruined Kingdom is its cozy atmosphere. The game envelops you in a soothing ambiance, with music that complements the simplicity of its puzzles. Don’t mistake simplicity for mundanity, though; the puzzles are designed to challenge your perception without overwhelming you. Shatterproof Games wanted Aarik’s journey to be as relaxed as possible, a chill experience you can unwind with over a solid two-hour playthrough. During my time with the game, I never encountered an obstacle that was insurmountable.

If there’s any downfall to this otherwise delightful journey, it would be minor control issues. Occasionally, the powers felt a bit temperamental. For instance, the robotic control ability sometimes switched off unintentionally, and aligning blocks with the telekinesis power could be tricky, not to mention the finicky nature of the time-rewind feature when trying to align paths correctly. While these hiccups were small, they were noticeable enough to disrupt the immersion slightly.

Despite these minor setbacks, Aarik and the Ruined Kingdom is a charming little adventure you can complete in a single session. Its enchanting visuals and lovely soundtrack wrap up this quaint experience beautifully, ensuring it doesn’t outstay its welcome. While the crystal powers add layers to the gameplay, they can sometimes lead to minor frustrations due to their delicate implementation.

To sum it up, Aarik and the Ruined Kingdom stands as a calm and short adventure with a few bumps along the way. If you’re a fan of gentle puzzle games, this might just be the perfect light-hearted escape you need. The review score? A solid 6/10, mostly down to the brief runtime and occasionally finicky controls. But if relaxing puzzle-solving sounds appealing, it’s certainly worth the experience.

This review was based on a retail copy provided by the publisher.