Review: Aarik and the Kingdom in Ruins

Aarik and the Ruined Kingdom is an intriguing puzzle game developed by the indie team at Shatterproof Games. At its heart is young Prince Aarik, whose life is far from easy—his father is bedridden, his mother is missing, and his kingdom is in shambles. What makes the game unique is how Aarik, armed with the king’s crown, maneuvers through cleverly designed isometric levels that shift and change, revealing new paths as he progresses.

Throughout his quest, Aarik gains unique powers from special crystals, each in a different color and each offering a distinct ability. These crystals let Aarik rewind time to restore ruined structures, move towers, or even control robotic allies to tackle the various puzzles he encounters. These newfound abilities add a refreshing twist to the gameplay, breaking the journey into diverse segments.

Every element of Aarik and the Ruined Kingdom is meant to be a calming experience. The game’s ambiance is laid-back, with its soundtrack reinforcing the peaceful feel, perfectly complementing puzzles that challenge your perspective without overwhelming you. Shatterproof Games has intentionally designed it so that players can unwind while playing. Over the roughly two-hour playthrough, I encountered few challenges that truly stumped me.

While the game excels in many areas, it does have its drawbacks, particularly concerning the controls. Some abilities didn’t function as smoothly as one might hope. For instance, the robot control power occasionally deactivated unexpectedly. Similarly, aligning blocks with telekinesis could be a bit tricky, and rewinding time didn’t always line up paths as expected. These control issues, while minor, interrupted the smooth flow of the game.

In the end, Aarik and the Ruined Kingdom offers a quaint and soothing adventure that you can easily complete in a single session. Its visuals and music beautifully support this short yet sweet journey. Although the crystal powers add an intriguing layer to the gameplay, their execution sometimes leaves room for improvement, causing slight frustration.

This review is based on a retail copy provided by the publisher. Overall, this is a gentle adventure marred only by a few minor gameplay hitches.

Final Score: 6/10

Summary: Aarik and the Ruined Kingdom stands out for its relaxing puzzle-solving experience. However, its short duration, combined with a few finicky gameplay elements, might be a downside for some players.