Arcaea

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Arcaea
Arcaea-logo.png
Logo
Developer(s) Lowiro
Publisher(s) Lowiro
Producer(s) Anton Prydatko (Guy)
Designer(s) Alexander J. Lin (Toaster), Vernon Tan (Nitro), Alice Prowse (Popo), Ken Tang (k//eternal)
Artist(s) シエラ (cierra)  [ ja ]
Writer(s) Terrence Smith
Composer(s) ak+q, N² (ANTIREAL), Puru
Engine Cocos2d-x
Platform(s) iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch
Release
  • iOS, Android
  • 9 March 2017
  • Nintendo Switch
  • 18 May 2021 [1] [2]
Genre(s) Rhythm
Mode(s) Singleplayer, multiplayer

Arcaea is a rhythm video game developed and published by Lowiro (stylized as lowiro). [3] The game was released on iOS and Android mobile platforms on 9 March 2017. A single-player version of the game was released for the Nintendo Switch on 18 May 2021. [4]

Contents

Gameplay

During gameplay, players must keep track of two sets of notes moving across the screen, [5] and tap the screen or press controller buttons when the notes intersect with the guiding lines.

The game has 5 difficulties: Past, Present, Future, Eternal, [6] and Beyond [7] (shortened to PST, PRS, FTR, ETR, and BYD). It has a difficulty scale of 1-12, with 7, 8, 9, and 10 having + variants (e.g. Future 9+). [8]

The game features 3D rhythm mechanics, especially on the Present, Future and Beyond difficulty levels. This screenshot showcases such mechanics in a song on Future difficulty. Arcaea Arc mechanic screenshot.png
The game features 3D rhythm mechanics, especially on the Present, Future and Beyond difficulty levels. This screenshot showcases such mechanics in a song on Future difficulty.

The game includes characters that give various beneficial effects while playing the rhythm game, and they gain experience points when selected for gameplay. [5]

Development

Arcaea began as a single-developer project by Anton Prydatko, inspired by Japanese arcade rhythm games. [9] Prydatko founded Lowiro in the United Kingdom, but many of the musicians working on Arcaea are Japanese indie or doujin composers, and the majority of its players are Japanese. [10]

It was important to the developers that the game's monetization method allow players to "own" their purchased content - players can buy "packs" of songs and play them an unlimited amount, unlike the "stamina" model of mobile game monetization that limits play time. [10]

Reception

Eric Ford of TouchArcade says that it has "an awesome art style combined with very up-beat songs and a nice twist to the traditional rhythm formula". But he also mentioned that some of the gameplay elements could make the game potentially difficult. [11]

Digitally Downloaded's Mike S. praised the game's aesthetic and music, and described its character art as "impeccable", though not memorable compared to other rhythm games. He disliked the game's requirements for unlocking new songs, considering them to be inappropriate for the game's paid release on the Nintendo Switch. [5]

Dani Maddox of Siliconera said the game's music was "just amazing", with a large range of songs and genres. However, she found the game's story mode to be poor, and encountered issues with controls in the Nintendo Switch version, such as the console's size when playing in touchscreen mode and the game being "finicky" with a controller. [12]

Arcaea Song Packs (mobile)
Main Story packs bolded
Side Story packs italicized
2017Arcaea
Eternal Core
Crimson Solace
Memory Archive
Dynamix Collaboration
Ambivalent Vision
Vicious Labyrinth
2018Lanota Collaboration Part 1
Binary Enfold
Luminous Sky
Tone Sphere Collaboration
2019Groove Coaster Collaboration
Absolute Reason
CHUNITHM Collaboration Part 1
Adverse Prelude
Sunset Radiance
2020Black Fate
Extended Archive 1: Visions
Ephemeral Page
Ephemeral Page: The Journey Onwards
O.N.G.E.K.I. Collaboration Part 1
maimai Collaboration Part 1
2021Esoteric Order
Esoteric Order: Pale Tapestry
Esoteric Order: Light of Salvation
WACCA Collaboration Part 1
Binary Enfold: Shared time
Divided Heart
Muse Dash Collaboration
2022Final Verdict
Final Verdict: Silent Answer
Lanota Collaboration Chapter 2
O.N.G.E.K.I. Collaboration Part 2
2023Extend Archive 2: Chronicles
maimai Collaboration Part 2
CHUNITHM Collaboration Part 3
Cytus II Collaboration
Cytus II Collaboration Part 2
Lasting Eden
Severed Eden
Lasting/Severed Eden: Shifting Veil
WACCA Collaboration Part 2

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References

  1. ↑ Brian (29 April 2021). "Rhythm game Arcaea heading to Switch". Nintendo Everything. Archived from the original on 29 April 2021. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  2. ↑ Romano, Sal (30 April 2021). "Rhythm game Arcaea coming to Switch on May 18". Gematsu. Archived from the original on 30 April 2021. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  3. ↑ "lowiro". www.lowiro.com. Retrieved 2022-07-21.
  4. ↑ "Arcaea for Nintendo Switch - Nintendo Official Site". www.nintendo.com. Retrieved 2022-07-21.
  5. 1 2 3 S., Matt. "Review: Arcaea (Nintendo Switch)". Digitally Downloaded.
  6. ↑ "Arcaea on X: "To further improve the early experience of Arcaea and to make progressions smoother to people of all skill levels, 5.4 delivers a 4th new difficulty: Eternal (ETR)."". 29 February 2024.
  7. ↑ "Arcaea on X: "The long-awaited hour has finally come. Introducing Arcaea's fourth difficulty level: Beyond."". 28 May 2020.
  8. ↑ "Arcaea on X: "With the introduction of the 4th new difficulty "Eternal" in v5.4, song level ratings have been adjusted to clarify progression at intermediate levels."". 29 February 2024.
  9. ↑ Lawton, Tilly (29 June 2022). "Arcaea reaches a crescendo with its 'momentous finale'". Pocket Tactics.
  10. 1 2 ""Players really appreciate having constant access to what they've paid for"". Pocket Gamer.
  11. ↑ Ford, Eric (February 23, 2017). "Futuristic Rhythm Game 'Arcaea' Looks Not For the Faint of Heart – TouchArcade". Archived from the original on February 23, 2017. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  12. ↑ Maddox, Dani. "Arcaea's Nintendo Switch Port Holds Up, Somewhat". Siliconera . Retrieved 31 May 2021.
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