American Arcadia: Retro-Futuristic Reality Show

After a successful PC launch that garnered critical acclaim, Out Of The Blue’s narrative puzzle-platformer American Arcadia has made its way to consoles. Now available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch, this unique title from the creators of Call of the Sea brings its 70s-inspired dystopian story to a broader audience.

The Most Dangerous Reality Show Ever Made

American Arcadia presents a fascinating premise: a retro-futuristic metropolis where citizens enjoy lives of luxury and comfort, completely unaware that their every moment is being broadcast to millions of viewers worldwide. This isn’t just any reality show – it’s one with deadly stakes, where a drop in popularity ratings results in a contestant’s death.

Players step into the shoes of Trevor Hills, an ordinary man living a mundane life in this seemingly idyllic city. When Trevor discovers the truth about his existence, he must attempt a desperate escape with the help of Ángela Solano, an American Arcadia engineer determined to guide him to freedom from behind the scenes.

Dual Gameplay Experience

What sets American Arcadia apart is its distinctive dual gameplay approach. Sections controlling Trevor take the form of a 2.5D puzzle-platformer as he navigates through the city’s various obstacles. These segments alternate with first-person sections where players control Ángela, who hacks into Arcadia’s systems to manipulate the environment and clear Trevor’s path to freedom.

This mechanical duality appears to complement the thematic contrast between the artificial utopia of the show and the gritty reality behind its production. Together, Trevor and Ángela must outmanoeuvre the powerful corporation controlling the broadcast and uncover the truth behind American Arcadia.

Stellar Voice Cast

The game boasts an impressive voice cast that brings its characters to life. Trevor is voiced by Yuri Lowenthal, known for his work in Marvel’s Spider-Man, Prince of Persia, and Out Of The Blue’s previous title Call of the Sea. Krizia Bajos (Cyberpunk 2077, League of Legends) portrays Ángela, while Cissy Jones (Firewatch, Starfield) rounds out the main cast, adding significant talent to the narrative experience.

Out Of The Blue has already demonstrated their storytelling capabilities with Call of the Sea, and American Arcadia appears to continue their tradition of polished, mysterious adventures with thought-provoking themes. The game’s exploration of surveillance, entertainment, and the cost of popularity feels particularly relevant in our media-saturated world.

With its intriguing premise, dual gameplay mechanics, and Strong voice performances, American Arcadia looks to be a compelling addition to the narrative puzzle-platformer genre now accessible across all major gaming platforms.