Arietta of Spirits

A great, brief Zelda-inspired gameplay experience that is easy to pick up and sink a few hours into for a fulfilling journey that doesn't overstay its welcome.

Arietta of Spirits is a simple adventure game with a good heart. If you’re looking for a game to complete for that weekend away this might just be the one to keep you busy. It’s doesn’t that pushes the boundaries of the genre but what is on offer here is fun. Plus this has an Otter spirit in it, what’s not to love? Need to meditate on this game? There is also a free demo available on the eShop.

If you're a pixel enthusiast and enjoy classic games like the Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, you're sure to love Arietta of Spirits. It has an awesome heartwarming story and tries to be like a classic SNES adventure game and it succeeds well at doing so.

While it may be a little on the short side, Arietta of Spirits is an enjoyable experience. Overall, there's not much to fault here - an original story, beautiful visuals, fitting soundtrack and engaging gameplay. What it lacks in length and replayability, it makes up for with it's charm and solid execution.

Dealing with delicate themes, Arietta of Spirits has a lot of charisma, especially considering its welcoming qualities. Among the multiple dimensions inhabited by spirits and humans, the journey may not be deep in terms of combat, but it is attractive for its sensitivity. In the company of Ari and Arco, it's easy to enjoy the simple adventure and the moving narrative.

Arietta of Spirits just isn’t enough game. I’d say it’d be perfect for very young adventure game enthusiasts, lacking any cryptic puzzle-solving, or difficult combat, but the hitboxes are just too unfair. Fans of old-school 2D adventure games might find some enjoyment here, but only a few hours’ worth. Just expect something a little less Link To The Past, and a little more Twisted Tales of Spike McFang, and players should be fine. If you are looking for an excellent 2D top-down adventure game, and all you’ve played all the Legend of Zelda titles, check out the modern classics Blossom Tales or CrossCode, or the PS1 gem Alundra

In essence, Arietta of Spirits plays out like a pleasant introduction and first chapter of a larger story yet untold. It has a protagonist who is easy to root for and the framework for development into a larger scope story, broader cast of characters, and a larger variety of combat tools that this game currently lacks. Arietta of Spirits keeps those issues from becoming more glaring thanks to a brisk game length, but I hope her next adventure is a tad more, well, adventurous.

This is one of those tough ones where I can't outright fault the key elements of the game design, but I also can say some of the choices in implementation brought it down a bit for me...

Arietta of Spirits has its finer moments. Are they enough? For most gamers looking to scratch that top-down, 2D action-adventure itch, probably not.

Arietta of Spirits is one seriously charming journey. It exudes the kind of warmth and casual sense of adventure that you can only seem to find in these indie gems. From its stellar spritework to the way the music and ambient sounds wind their way gently through the deep forests, everything comes together to deliver a game that’s easy on the eyes and memorable. And while this spirit’s tale is quite a bit shorter than most, the scene set around it radiates a vibrance that truly lets this fairytale soar. If you have a few hours to spare and got the funds, you’d be remiss not to give this ghost story a fair venture.