Archvale Image
Metascore
82

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 24 Ratings

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  • Summary: Take up your weapon in this RPG bullet-hell world and embark on a journey to right wrongs from long ago. Only you can defeat the evil forces of the Undying guardians and reunite the world with the fabled Archvale.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 8
  2. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Dec 1, 2021
    100
    It’s been a long time since a game absorbed me quite so entirely. A first-class combination of frantic bullet hell action and endearing RPG adventuring, Archvale stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the titans that inspired it. There’s plenty of praise to be heaped upon Archvale, but the height of its thrills need to be experienced to be believed.
  2. Nov 29, 2021
    95
    Archvale is just plain fun. It does what it does well, and as a bullet hell provides a serious challenge without feeling unfair. I cannot recommend this game enough.
  3. Dec 1, 2021
    90
    Archvale is a fun, charming bullet hell with some incredibly enjoyable combat. It's also a satisfying role-playing game on its own, with tons of satisfying progression.
  4. Dec 1, 2021
    80
    Archvale focuses on intense fantasy-RPG shooting action and giving the player all the tools necessary to handle it their way, and the result is a game that’s next to impossible to put down until the last arch stone is collected and even then maybe not. There’s never a bad time to test out Hardcore mode’s bigger maps and denser bullet patterns, after all.
  5. Dec 1, 2021
    75
    Archvale is a lite-bullet-hell that grants players a satisfying gameplay loop fraught with consistent upgrading and intriguing customization. Its narrative is practically non-existent and forgettable, and the dullness of progression can be a bit off-putting, but you can do far worse with a cutesy action adventure. Further, there’s a noticeable level of standout polish here from the delectable sound design, which alone makes it worth experiencing.
  6. Jan 3, 2022
    70
    Archvale’s big claim to fame is the meshing of RPG (items/loot) and bullet hell mechanics. Aside from that, this is an average title at best. We had fun with this one, but probably only because it is cooperative. As a single-player experience, I’m not sure I would have enjoyed it as much. With little substance in the writing, awkward design decisions (crafting is largely pointless aside from armor and weapon drops are rarely tempting), and a cache of bugs, I would only recommend this title to bullet hell enthusiasts or those hungry for a decent cooperative jaunt.
  7. Dec 1, 2021
    60
    There’s some merit in spending an hour or so dodging projectiles and dinging away at a half-dozen moving health bars, but Archvale would be immeasurably improved with more depth of content and character customization. A pure shoot ‘em up may not necessarily require those ingredients to flourish, but an action-heavy RPG definitely does, even one with such a pint-sized cute presentation. As it stands, Archvale poses some entertaining distractions for compulsive bullet-dodgers, but it could have been so much more.

See all 8 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 11
  2. Negative: 1 out of 11
  1. Dec 7, 2021
    10
    Amazing top down bullet hell. Not only is the fighting mechanics good, but the story and world are phenomenal.
  2. Dec 4, 2021
    10
    This one is the most addictive games I ever have been played, straight 10-hours nonstop to finished it
    10/10 would play it again!
  3. Dec 26, 2021
    9
    It's good is the best answer, what I thought at first was a game made for kids due to the cute pixel graphics is in fact a lot of fun forIt's good is the best answer, what I thought at first was a game made for kids due to the cute pixel graphics is in fact a lot of fun for adults and quite challenging. Refreshing to not have a randomly generated map, as is often the case these days, as well as not being able to walk through most of the game only dying a few times. If you are someone who likes lite RPGs, bullet hells, Zelda and a bit of a challenge then definitely worth playing. Expand
  4. Dec 6, 2021
    8
    Extremely addictive, pretty well designed, huge amount of different enemies, nice boss fights.

    There are some minor flaws like limited EQ
    Extremely addictive, pretty well designed, huge amount of different enemies, nice boss fights.

    There are some minor flaws like limited EQ space (completely not needed in this game) or strange controls in cities (e.g. upgrading- if you have weapon stored in 1st space, you need to select it, click like 10 times, upgrade it, and if you want to upgrade something else, click again 10 times to get back already upgraded item to your EQ and select second item and repeat) but beside that, game is very solid.
    Expand
  5. Feb 19, 2022
    8
    Graphics: Prerry good (for a pixel art game)
    Gameplay: Fantastic
    Narrative: It's ok
    Bugs: Noone
  6. Nov 30, 2022
    7
    Overall good game. It's fun. Some of the dungeon room is a bit buggy. Also, game errored out a few times in the end. Also it's a bit on the easy side.
  7. Jul 30, 2022
    0
    The stupid dash puzzles before every boss battle suck so much, it's a rage quit moment for sure. Would not recommend, just play enter the gungeon

See all 11 User Reviews