Aarik and the Ruined Kingdom is a delightful puzzle adventure brought to us by the indie team at Shatterproof Games. Set in an isometric world, this game puts you in the shoes of Aarik, a young prince dealing with quite a bit on his plate—a father too ill to rule, a mother who’s nowhere to be found, and, indeed, a kingdom in ruin. The narrative cleverly unfolds as players guide Aarik through levels that twist and change, crafting a path that reveals itself only to those who look closely.
At various points throughout Aarik’s journey, he gains access to magical crystals, each of which bestows a unique ability. With powers marked by four distinct colors, these crystals enable Aarik to do things like rewind time to reconstruct broken elements, shift towers, and even control robotic helpers to solve the many puzzles ahead. These mechanics not only diversify the gameplay but also help delineate the different stages of Aarik’s adventure.
With its serene atmosphere and mellow soundtrack, Aarik and the Ruined Kingdom creates a soothing experience. The puzzles are designed to shift your perspective without inducing a headache. That’s clearly the goal here—Shatterproof Games wants this title to be where you unwind, maybe accompanied by a cup of tea, rather than an intensive brain workout. Spanning roughly two hours, this journey offers a calm respite that never becomes overly challenging.
That said, the tranquility is occasionally interrupted by some control issues. While the powers are creatively imagined, their execution can sometimes be unpredictable. There were moments where controlling the little robot ally felt uncooperative, or when using the telekinesis power proved tricky in aligning blocks just right. Similarly, the rewind feature would sometimes be particular about aligning walkways. Although these glitches didn’t ruin the experience, they were noticeable enough to cause some minor irritation.
In summary, Aarik and the Ruined Kingdom is a soothing tale fit for a single playthrough afternoon. The visuals and music harmoniously complement this gentle adventure, ensuring it remains an inviting experience that doesn’t drag on unnecessarily. While the crystal powers inject some fun into the mix, their occasionally uneven performance can lead to slight frustration.
With this review based on a retail copy provided by the publisher, Aarik and the Ruined Kingdom stands as a charming albeit imperfect journey, meriting a 6 out of 10. The game shines in how it relaxes you with its perspective puzzles, yet its short duration coupled with some finicky elements slightly diminish the experience.
