The worst factor about The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales is its title, so we’re off to a reasonably constructive begin.
Sq. Enix’s newest HD-2D jaunt is an motion RPG, with its general construction resembling basic The Legend of Zelda and Mana video games.
In that sense, it appears like a little bit of a throwback, regardless of having the entire fashionable conveniences you’d anticipate from a 2026 title. It is a charming mixture of previous and new.
I have not completed The Adventures of Elliot but — that is why this can be a Evaluation in Progress — however I am positively trying ahead to seeing how the story wraps up.
That is as a result of the plot, whereas initially stacked with cliche characters and motives, does department into some fascinating territory because it progresses. Its core forged has actually grown on me because the hours have ticked away, and there are a couple of narrative twists that carry a shocking quantity of spice to the principle quest.
You play because the titular Elliot — an already skilled adventurer who’s glad to courageous the monster-filled wilds in quest of treasure.
On this world, mankind is principally on the brink. Folks disguise behind a magical barrier that repels the violent beast-like tribes that inhabit the remainder of the continent, and so explorers like Elliot are the lifeblood of human discovery.
The sport’s first couple of hours see Elliot tackle a royal request, and naturally, the seemingly easy job shortly takes a flip. It is not lengthy till the title’s central idea of time journey is launched.
Primarily, the entire journey takes place over a single map, however you get to traverse mentioned map throughout 4 totally different time durations.
On a mechanical stage, it really works simply as you may anticipate. Dungeons and different explorable areas change primarily based in your place in historical past; some previous, principally inaccessible ruins in Elliot’s current could also be remodeled right into a technologically superior labyrinth prior to now, again earlier than civilisation fell off a cliff.
The quick journey system really covers time journey as properly, so leaping between eras is an easy course of — you simply must have unlocked the related quick journey factors within the interval that you simply’re visiting.
Initially, this can be a pretty linear affair. The story will information you between particular deadlines and take you thru key areas, like cities and dungeons — however development turns into extra complicated as you proceed to unlock new weapons and magical skills.
Some locations can, after all, solely be accessed via the usage of these unlockables, and so backtracking begins to creep into the expertise.
For essentially the most half, the backtracking is not too dangerous, as a result of sure obstacles are marked in your map — however there’s nonetheless loads to maintain observe of as a result of every part’s break up between the 4 time durations. Leaping backwards and forwards can change into somewhat too tedious, particularly in the direction of the tip of the sport.
However the rewards are sometimes worthwhile. Between weapon upgrades, gameplay-altering equipment, and easy well being boosts, The Adventures of Elliot does an incredible job of stringing you together with a relentless promise of significant development.
Certainly, I believe the sport’s pacing is mostly unbelievable, which makes the aforementioned backtracking stick out somewhat greater than it ought to. The writing is basically characterful and succinct, whereas the world itself feels completely sized; I’ve by no means grown bored with exploring, and there is at all times one thing to behold round each nook.
The general really feel of gameplay is prime notch, too. Responsive controls and fast-paced motion — and moment-to-moment fight — make really enjoying The Adventures of Elliot a delight.
And talking of fight, there’s a great deal of it to go round. The overworld is virtually swamped in creatures that must be taken care of, and so it is easy to sink into the satisfying rhythm of battle.
Elliot’s assaults have a stunning weight to them, and a quickly increasing arsenal retains fight feeling contemporary. It additionally helps that there are many distinctive enemy sorts to take care of, whereas artistic boss fights stay a spotlight all through the whole sport.
Mechanically, fight is straightforward however efficient. Elliot can equip two totally different weapons at a time, however you may change between his full repertoire by way of a radial menu that pauses the motion. There is a good quantity of tactical range on show, significantly throughout our hero’s later outings.
Elliot’s additionally outfitted together with his trusty defend, which, exterior of merely working away from an incoming assault, is your major type of defence. You may block absolutely anything, however tank too many hits and your bulwark will crumble, leaving Elliot fully susceptible for a short while.
The motion is undoubtedly at its greatest whenever you’re being compelled to make full use of your gear. There are some surprisingly difficult, and truthfully, downright dastardly battles within the latter half of the sport, the place you may really want to lock in with the appropriate weapons and defensive timing.
The fight system’s an incredible instance of what will be achieved with comparatively easy mechanics in the event that they’re allowed to breathe throughout a variety of various encounters. I did not essentially anticipate the motion to be considered one of my favorite issues about The Adventures of Elliot, nevertheless it actually does click on on a basically gratifying stage.
Conclusion
The Adventures of Elliot is not going to blow anybody’s thoughts with its mixture of classics-inspired exploration and fight design, however its general high quality by way of gameplay really feel and presentation is constantly spectacular. It is typically only a delight to play via.
Assuming the sport’s story sticks the touchdown, and its latter trials stay partaking, this has the potential to be one thing of a standout motion RPG. I needs to be again with a completed overview very quickly.
