Review: Aarik and the Kingdom in Ruins

Aarik and the Ruined Kingdom is a captivating puzzle game from indie creators Shatterproof Games. It follows the story of Aarik, a young prince dealing with a bedridden father, a missing mother, and yes, you guessed it, a crumbling kingdom. With the king’s crown in hand, Aarik journeys through challenging isometric levels that twist and turn, revealing paths as he advances.

The game’s progression is marked by the acquisition of special colored crystals, each granting Aarik unique abilities essential to his quest. These crystals allow players to reverse time and restore broken structures, move towers, or even control mechanical allies to solve intricate puzzles. These dynamic powers not only keep the gameplay refreshing but also divide it into distinct, engaging sections.

Aarik and the Ruined Kingdom is all about creating a cozy, laid-back atmosphere. From its soothing music to the gently challenging puzzles, everything is designed to ensure players can unwind while playing. The puzzles themselves are cleverly constructed, meant to shift your perspective without scrambling your brain. Shatterproof Games clearly wants you to enjoy a relaxing experience, and over the roughly two-hour journey, you won’t find anything too mentally taxing.

However, the experience isn’t without its hiccups. Some of the controls can be a tad tricky. For instance, the robot control power might deactivate unexpectedly or aligning blocks using telekinesis can be a bit fiddly. Even the rewind time power sometimes decides to rearrange paths in a rather unpredictable manner. While these quirks might mildly dampen the enjoyment, they don’t completely derail the experience.

Ultimately, Aarik and the Ruined Kingdom delivers a serene adventure perfectly designed for a single sitting. Its charming visuals and melodic soundtrack create an inviting escape, though the finicky controls can cause slight frustration. The powers are intriguing and add layers to the gameplay, even if they can be a bit sensitive at times.

This review is based on a retail copy of the game provided by the publisher.

Summary: Aarik and the Ruined Kingdom shines as a relaxing puzzle game with perspective-based challenges. Despite its short length and some gameplay quirks, it provides a soothing and enjoyable experience. Rating: 6/10.