Ariana and the Elder Codex — Review: A Convincing, But Not Astonishing, Anime Action RPG

In the increasingly crowded landscape of Japanese action RPGs, Ariana and the Elder Codex tries to carve out a space with a precise identity, made of a fantasy setting, anime aesthetics, and a decidedly intriguing underlying narrative idea. The project is born from the collaboration between HYDE, Compile Heart, and Idea Factory International, with direction entrusted to Hiroshi Aoki, a figure already known to fans of the genre for his involvement in series like Rune Factory.

From the first impact, the title makes its intentions clear: to be a concise, coherent, and strongly characterized experience. The concept is undoubtedly one of the most successful elements: Ariana, a young guardian of a mysterious library, is able to enter books and repair them from within, restoring balance to a world where magic has now disappeared.

A simple, yet powerful idea, which allows the game to build a fascinating and recognizable imagery from the very first hours. However, just as often happens in productions of this type, the risk is that it will not be able to fully exploit its best intuitions.

A Story Among Books: The Concept is There, The Depth Less So

The narrative of Ariana and the Elder Codex revolves around the so-called "Seven Codes of Heroes", ancient books that guard the world's magic. When these are corrupted, reality itself suffers, depriving everything of its vital energy. Ariana, as the guardian of the library, becomes the only one able to intervene, entering the codes and confronting what has contaminated them.

The narrative structure is thus built on a series of distinct worlds, each enclosed within a book. This choice allows for a fair visual and thematic variety, but at the same time limits the depth of the story. The plot proceeds linearly, without particular deviations or moments of great emotional impact, preferring to maintain a light and accessible tone.

While the concept always remains fascinating and the underlying lore manages to intrigue, there is a lack of character and relationship building that could have elevated the experience. Ariana herself is a pleasant protagonist, but not particularly memorable, while the supporting cast too often remains in the background.

The result is a story that accompanies the gameplay well, without ever truly becoming the protagonist. It works, but it doesn't leave a lasting impression.

Magic, Platforming, and Boss Fights: The Gameplay Works

The heart of the experience is represented by a game system that mixes action, platforming, and RPG progression in a rather classic, but still effective, way. Ariana and the Elder Codex is not a metroidvania in the purest sense of the term, and this is an important aspect to clarify. The structure is in fact divided into distinct levels, corresponding to the various Codes, with a progression that more closely resembles stage-based titles rather than interconnected worlds.

This does not mean that exploration is entirely absent. Some unlockable abilities allow you to retrace your steps and access new areas, but backtracking remains limited and never represents the core of the experience, nor is it intrusive and stressful as in other titles. It's a choice that makes the pace more immediate, but at the same time reduces the sense of discovery.

The combat system is probably the most successful element of the game. Ariana can use a wide range of spells, combinable with each other through an equipment system that allows for a certain freedom of customization. The available abilities are numerous and allow you to adapt your playstyle, whether it's a more offensive or a more defensive approach.

The battles, especially against bosses, manage to offer a good level of challenge, thanks to a system that prioritizes mobility and ability management. It's not a particularly deep combat system, but it's solid enough to support the entire experience.

Platforming also plays a central role, with sections that require precision and timing. The so-called "repair challenges" represent one of the most interesting elements: they are short stages that test the player's abilities and, once completed, offer permanent power-ups. It's a simple, but well-integrated addition that helps to add variety to the game's pace.

Overall, the gameplay works and is fun, without introducing any particular innovations. It is precisely this lack of courage, however, that prevents it from making the leap in quality.

Refined Anime Aesthetic, But Without Memorable Peaks

From an artistic point of view, Ariana and the Elder Codex fully embraces a colorful and lively anime style, renouncing any realistic ambitions in favor of a softer and more dreamlike aesthetic. The environments, inspired by the worlds enclosed in the books, manage to offer a fair visual variety, while the character design remains consistent with the overall tone of the work.

Technically, the game performs admirably, without particular performance issues. The experience is generally fluid, although there are some rigidities in the animations and a certain simplicity in environmental interactions. Nothing that truly compromises the fun, but enough to constantly remind one of the not particularly ambitious nature of the production.

The soundtrack accompanies the adventure serenely, offering tracks in line with the game's fantasy atmosphere. It's a pleasant soundtrack that performs its role well without, however, standing out significantly. On the sound front too, therefore, the title maintains good levels, without ever reaching memorable peaks.