Arcadia

Hours played at review time, across 40 reviews with recorded playtime.

positive critical· bar length = how often the theme comes up

Very positively touched by this short but meaningful VN. I am a fan of those three-hour experiences that you can enjoy in one sitting, which makes them feel very much like watching a movie. Nothing against a 70-hour visual novel, but those are mammoths in their own right. Arcadia, on the other hand, especially in the so-called "bad ending," feels very genuine. I dare say the good ending was a bit too cheesy and did not explore the psychology of the characters deeply enough. They carry many regrets and leave so much unsaid. The monologues about how they view work and life are particularly outstanding. I connected with those themes a great deal, as I have had my fair share of burnout, regrets over career decisions, and moments of immaturity. I found all of this very compelling, especially if you follow the "bad route," as mentioned. I also loved the game's take on progress. In a world that feels very believable, it avoids the common glorification of the past that so many stories lean into—the idea that "things were better in my day" or that "AI is stealing our jobs," which seems to be a growing trend. Instead, the topic is handled with realism. We cannot stop time, and that's okay. There is a nightclub that indulges a little in nostalgia, but the story never suggests that we should live in the past. Overall, this is a very interesting title with very few choices, but each one is meaningful and genuinely changes the outcome. On a funny note, those two are so stressed that they really need to hide behind the counter and ♥♥♥♥ like rabbits. Sadly, that wasn't an option!