Arco is a dynamic tactical RPG developed by Franek, Max Cahill, Bibiki, and Fayer where each decision you make shapes the story ahead. You will take control over three unique characters, each with their own tales forged in bloodshed, laced in magic, and united by revenge.
Arco is a minimalist game set in early Mesoamerica. It presents snappy and tactical combat with incredible attention to detail. The story revolves around the Native experience rather than a settler’s experience, which is a breath of fresh air since it is rarely done. There is even a distinct title for settlers in the game called “Newcomers,” who also represent a major threat throughout the game.
In this review we are going to discuss the following:
Story
The story in Arco is nothing but incredible. It is a story about revenge, similar to an old Western film, but with a few caveats here and there. You take control of Tizo, in the first act you control him as a child. Running around and learning about the life you currently have. This chapter is brief but brutal and real in its storytelling. Arco does not pull any punches, it is bloody, the characters curse, and you even get the choice to make rude hand gestures during dialogue.
The second picks up with him as an older man making his way through the wastelands, seeking revenge for all the wrongs that were done to him and his family. The world is ever-changing, and we get to witness it, from destroyed temples to smoke-filled camps from engines.
While the game holds true to many of the Western film tropes, you would expect our main character to use a revolver. He doesn’t; he uses a traditional native bow called “Arco.” Tizo and his bow also have no issue dispatching a few gunslinging enemies.
The story evolves as you go through each act, recruiting strangers or going alone. The game allows you the freedom to control specific outcomes. There is a built-in “Guilt” system, which is quite simple. Do something bad, and you will feel guilty about it. This impacts the game’s story and environment.
Tizo has regrets and is haunted by his own past. Your guilt not only changes the story it also changes combat. During combat a ghost can spawn, and unlike other enemies, they will continue to chase you even if you are paused between actions.
This story is like no other, you can feel the pain in Tizo’s dialogue, you can feel the hurt in all the other characters you meet and play as. The burdens that they carry cannot be carried alone.
Gameplay
Arco uses a unique turn-based system, where the game will pause after each action and allow you to position your characters or do an attack. The unique part of this is that enemies can also do the same. You will need to strategically place every attack you do or even move yourself out of harm’s way.
The combat system is not easy, and each fight is a unique puzzle, especially when fighting against enemies who use guns, which you will be doing a lot. You will be battling against wildlife, reptiles, massive beetles, and even the undead when you’re not fighting gunslingers. Each will have their own style that will need to be countered.
Don’t worry, you aren’t alone in combat. Each character you recruit will have a different skill tree and fighting style. The Kanek prince Kaax is a close-range fighter who can deflect all projectiles that are thrown at him, and this includes bullets. He also has a massive AOE leap attack that not only takes him out of harms way, it helps close the distance and deal damage to those around him.
Of course, this sounds all well and good, but there is another system that you will have to manage and that’s your Magi. Like magic or stamina, each move costs a specific set of Magi. Shooting your Arco with a simple shot will use one Magi, but casting arrow rain will cost five. You do have the option to upgrade your Magi capacity and the number of abilities you bring into battle, but each ability counts.
Rushing into battle and using your most consuming Magi ability isn’t always the best thing to do since it will leave you defenseless running around dodging a hail of bullets and knife swings. Learning the enemy patterns is key, but don’t worry, the game shows you where they will be, who they are targeting, and what type of attack. That should make things easy, right?
It doesn’t, it adds a massive layer of difficulty, since you know exactly where everything is going, you must position yourself moves ahead to properly land a hit or dodge. Some abilities state that they will take two turns to land. You can only see where the enemy is going for the next turn. This means you have to plan for two whole turns, including movement and all the enemies’ positions, but an ability that takes two turns tends to dish out much more damage than an instant ability.
Arco makes you think outside the box. Bosses will have unique mechanics as well: a massive beetle that needs to be flipped on its back to do damage, a gunslinger who uses a shotgun and the fight becomes a bullet hell or even a fighter who closes the distance in moment’s notice and deflects your arrows. You can tackle these in your own way.
When I fought the gunslinging captain with a shotgun, I had Kaax deflect the first three waves of shotgun spread while Tizo was left to rain arrows down on him. This killed him in a single turn. I only learned this from trial-and-error though. What the game doesn’t tell you is that during his initial shotgun spread it won’t reach your character until two full turns. This meant I had ample amounts of time to do my attack and even evade the shells while Kaax was left to play defense.
Pull off your own combos and use your enemies against each other. Arco gives you the reigns.
Graphics and Audio
Arco is a minimalist game; the graphics are simple, and the art style is reminiscent of the 8-bit era of video games, but the landscapes and the detail throughout the world are beautiful. The colors are vibrant, and each city, camp, and town are well designed and tell its own story. Whether it be a destroyed ruin or a burnt village each has its own story to tell and more for you to uncover.
The audio left me speechless. Some of the vocal tracks are beyond beautiful to listen to and left me in awe at times to hear the entire track out. The sound effects are fleshed out and smooth. Everything has a purpose; even the attacks feel weighted. From the arrow being shot from the bow to enemies biting you, the sounds represent each well.
Verdict
Arco is an indie masterpiece. Combining incredible turn-based combat with a story that is steeping with revenge and pain, this is one that everyone should check out and keep on their radar. While the graphics might not be for everyone, and the game can be extremely difficult, in some instances, it all pays off. The sense of accomplishment after completing a difficult boss fight and making it to a new area feels incredible. Going into a new story with a new character feels fresh but also familiar.
