Platforms
- PCDec 2, 20218.2playscore8.110 Critics9.02.53K Players
- Xbox Series X|SDec 3, 2021NAplayscoreNA0 Critics7.8926 Players
- Xbox OneDec 3, 2021NAplayscoreNA0 Critics7.8926 Players
- Nintendo SwitchDec 2, 2021NAplayscoreNA0 CriticsNA0 Players
13 critic reviews · 4 community reviews across all platforms
Critic Reviews
- 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.
Bob Richardson · Jan 02, 2022 Reviewed on PCRead full review - The game does an incredible job of gradually increasing your defense and upgrades as long as you don’t attempt to go into an area that is too difficult for your acquired experience. That’s not to say you have to follow the path in a linear fashion, it just makes the road that much more difficult.
Michael Newman · Dec 13, 2021 Reviewed on PCRead full review - Archvale is a triumphant bullet-hell/RPG genre mashup. Although you could argue its similarity to one or two recent releases, it trumps the competition with incredibly slick combat, simple and satisfying progression, and varied environments and enemies. The difficulty ramps up heavily as you progress to the later levels, so the inability to change difficulty on-the-fly may prove a bit of an issue for some players. Push through, however, and you’ll find Archvale to be one of the most satisfying twin-stick games available right now.
Ollie Reynolds · Dec 03, 2021 Reviewed on SwitchRead full review - 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.
Joshua Chu · Dec 01, 2021 Reviewed on PCRead full review - 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.
Leo Faierman · Dec 01, 2021 Reviewed on PCRead full review - It’s well designed, it’s approachable, it’s clearly explained both in plot and gameplay and it’s quite open while still being directed in where the game is going. To be honest, I might pick this up on the Switch at some point in the future. I don’t think sitting down and playing Archvale for long stretches of time is the best way to enjoy all of the havoc the game brings, but having bursts of dungeon action in between other activities and then focusing when you’re in the overworld for longer, more relaxing explorations is the key recipe to success.
Oliver Shellding · Dec 01, 2021 Reviewed on PCRead full review - 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.
James Cunningham · Dec 01, 2021 Reviewed on PCRead full review - 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.
Orpheus Joshua · Dec 01, 2021 Reviewed on PCRead full review - 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.
Andy Brown · Dec 01, 2021 Reviewed on PCRead full review - Archvale is an engrossing title that you never really stop thinking about. It’s got everything a soulslike or Zelda fan could need, but twists the gameplay just enough to keep it feeling fresh, even when you’re grinding out levels to take on a boss.
Jamie Moorcroft-Sharp · May 16, 2022 Reviewed on SwitchRead full review
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Community Reviews
- Reviewed on PC
- Rated on Switch
- Rated on PC
- Rated on PC
About the game
Trailers & Screenshots:
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.
Developer: idoz & phops