Arco

"Panic’s Arco brings plenty of fresh ideas and inspirations to the gaming sphere. Its tale of revenge is decently paced and doesn’t run too long, meaning that despite some unfortunate technical issues, it’s easy to overlook them in favour of …"

"Arco tells a story about consequence, sacrifice, colonialism, revenge, and grief. From small, funny exchanges between siblings to the dramatic, overarching plot connecting the main characters, the phenomenal writing is only elevated by how the player can affect it. The …"

"A compact and ingenious turn-based battler with an evocative world."

"Arco has a unique look and world and a set of mechanics that are easy to understand but grow in complexity as characters unlock more options. I never got used to the ghosts that randomly join the fight but was …"

"Arco tells a compelling story with minimal dialogue. Leveraging a few well-chosen mechanics, the game immerses players in a world where every interaction and item matters, and each battle decision carries weight. The turn-based tactical combat is challenging yet fair, …"

"Arco is an engaging, challenging, and well-crafted game with dynamic combat and a captivating storyline, though it may require patience in finding the right strategy for battles."

"Arco is the type of video game that fits the definition "hidden gem" perfectly. The story is interesting and expertly told, with numerous references to Native Mesoamerican culture. The tiny graphics are full of points of interest to discover along …"

"I’m not going to stop trying to progress in Arco, I am invested. But maybe I need to be less stingy and hire the mercenary I met several towns back for some assistance. Maybe I shouldn’t have spent all of …"

"From its pixel perfect art to sharply deployed writing and unique, engaging combat systems, Arco is a masterclass in refined simplicity and self-confidence. Cinematic and thrilling, it is one of 2024&s;s best surprises."

"Arco is essentially a flawless strategy game that forces you to make difficult choices in and out of battle, then live with those consequences."

"A surprisingly engaging low-res mix of storytelling, strategy, and adventure"

"2024 has seen many fantastic indie titles, and Arco is among them. If you like tactical games with deep world-building, or if you want a challenge, it will sate those taste buds. I like both, and although Arco pushed me …"

"Arco is an artistic achievement, blending the struggles of gameplay and narrative into each other seamlessly as it draws you into the depressing but important stories of Mesoamerican natives struggling to carve out a space for themselves, in a world …"

"Set in the Wild West, Arco offers really challenging but entertaining action. Your own choices alter the story impressively, although in the end revenge is at the center of everything. The charming pixel graphics combined with the truly versatile content …"

"If you’re a fan of SRPGs and Arco flew under your radar, you owe it to yourself to correct that. It’s one of the better games I’ve played in that category in recent years, with a combat system that successfully …"