Game Review: Arise – A Simple Story by Piccolo Studio

The Story

A man reaches the end of his life and embarks on one final journey through the memories that made him who he was. Manipulate time, solve puzzles, and reshape your surroundings as you push forward into the bittersweet recollections of a past life. This is a story about happiness and hardship, joy and sorrow. A story that all of us will one day experience.

Developer: Piccolo Studio
Publisher: Piccolo Studio
Platform: Nintendo Switch (exclusive)

What a truly unique game. You use the joystick to physically move back and forth through small moments of time. Can’t reach that cliff? Move time forward a few hours and the snowfall has risen high enough to get you there. It is such a brilliant mechanic that stays engaging from beginning to end.

Keeping in theme with that time manipulation, our character is grieving, navigating his way through past memories of love and loss. We are not entirely sure where he is going. We are just helping him get there, experiencing his reminiscence along the way.

Visual & Audio

Beautiful interactive nature elements and magical abilities that feel completely natural in this world. The art style is soulful and painterly, brought to life by the talented artists at Piccolo Studio. The music is haunting and meaningful, wrapping every single moment in something deeply and quietly felt.

The World

A landscape of memories. Lush and alive one moment, cold and stark the next. Every environment reflects the emotional weight of the memory you are moving through. It is stunning and heartbreaking in equal measure.

The Heartbeat

At its core this game is about love. About the way it shapes us, sustains us, and leaves its mark long after it is gone. I was just helping him get somewhere. I had no idea he would take me somewhere too.