American Arcadia – PS5 Review

0 0
Read Time:4 Minute, 47 Second

American Arcadia marks the latest release from Out of the Blue Games, the studio behind Call of the Sea (you can check out our review of that here). After launching on PC in 2023, the game has now made its way to PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S/X, and Xbox One courtesy of publisher Raw Fury. This review focuses on the PlayStation 5 version.

So, the big question: have Out of the Blue Games delivered another smash hit, or should it have come with a warning?

It Can’t be Tru(man)

Set in a retro-futuristic 1970s metropolis, American Arcadia drops you into the brown leather shoes of Trevor Hills — a painfully average office worker voiced by the ever-talented Yuri Lowenthal (you’ll know him from Marvel’s Spider-Man). Trevor soon realises his entire life has played out as part of a long-running reality TV show, à la The Truman Show called American Arcadia. Since his viewer ratings are non-existent, the studio decides to “retire” him. Luckily, Angela Solano, a rebellious technician, steps up to help Trevor escape and reveal the ugly truth behind the longest-running reality show in history.

A whiteboard titled "Trevor Hill's Escape Plan" with a humorous step-by-step cartoon, showing Trevor escaping, taking a monorail, and celebrating freedom.
This is one that I did earlier……

The game delivers its story through gameplay and interviews with Trevor and Angela, piecing events together in a documentary-style narrative. This clever format grabs your attention immediately, evoking the feel of a binge-worthy Netflix series. The satire pulls no punches, taking aim at surveillance culture, media obsession, and it’s manipulative power. As the story unfolds, there are more twists and turns than a pretzel factory. Some characters fall flat but our protagonists steal each scene they are in.

Gameplay

American Arcadia keeps players constantly engaged by switching between its two lead characters, each bringing a distinct gameplay style. Trevor’s 2.5D platforming sequences focus on environmental puzzles and pulse-pounding chases. His sections are simple in mechanics but rich in challenge, keeping players on edge as they navigate across rooftops and evade the relentless security known as Interceptors. In contrast, Angela’s first-person gameplay offers a slower, more strategic approach. Acting as the unseen disruptor, she disables security systems, scrubs security footage and uses the CCTV to aid Trevor’s escape. Her ever-changing toolkit brings together puzzles that mix stealth and problem-solving to help warm up your brain.

The real magic happens when these two playstyles collide in high-stakes scenarios. One standout moment sees Trevor sprinting for his life while Angela frantically operates cranes and vents steam to buy him precious seconds — all in real-time. These sequences perfectly capture the game’s balance of tension, teamwork, and narrative urgency. As the story ramps up, so does the gameplay, delivering action not out of place in a Mission Impossible film.

A person walks cautiously across a wooden board in a dark, moonlit forest. Silhouetted trees and a glowing sky create a mysterious, eerie atmosphere.
“I get the feeling I’m being watched”

Graphics

Visually, American Arcadia fully leans into its 1970s aesthetic. Rich browns, mustard yellows, and soft pastels clash beautifully against the sleek chrome of retro-futuristic robots and towering skyscrapers. Each location oozes personality, from Arcadia’s colourful streets to pristine office spaces decked out with motivational posters and potted plants, all the way down to the grimy, industrial guts of the production complex.

Character designs bring their own unique charm. Despite featuring beady eyes, blocky features, and a lack of nose, the characters still manage to emote with surprising depth. Their stylised appearance not only help sell the comedic moments but the emotional ones. From Trevor himself to “uncredited NPC fifteen”, every face feels distinct and these visual quirks slot perfectly into Arcadia’s polished yet artificial world.

A stylized animated character with glasses and red streaked black hair speaks in a dimly lit room. Subtitle reads, "Needless to say, I got the hell out of there as fast as I could."
Angela doesn’t mince her words

Audio

American Arcadia nails its audio design, delivering terrific voice acting across the board. That said, after recently playing Marvel’s Spider-Man, hearing Spidey’s voice coming out of what is essentially a 1970s Ned Flanders from Wish felt a bit surreal. Still, Trevor’s growing desperation comes through loud and clear, while Angela’s razor-sharp sarcasm slices through every scene with precision.

The soundtrack does the job of setting the mood and keeping up pace with the changing action. You’ll go from sneaking through control rooms with funky ‘70s grooves, to heart-pounding chase themes as you bolt through a packed train station. Sound effects add to the immersion with the gentle hum of CRT monitors and the grating cheeriness of public announcements. They constantly help to remind you that this is a world built to control you.

Longevity

American Arcadia lives by the motto: “here for a good time, not a long time”. Its linear structure and tightly scripted narrative make this a classic one-and-done experience. However, it’s lack of replay value is balanced out by the sheer entertainment the story brings.

Over the course of six to eight hours, the game whisks you through a carefully crafted, high-energy adventure. Every moment feels intentional with no filler and the impact of a single playthrough will stick with you long after the credits roll.

Retro-styled game scene featuring a large, dynamic statue and people in conversation. An avatar is running while live chat streams on the right.
Where are the mods ?

Final Thoughts

To sum up, American Arcadia blends story with a aesthetic that gives it a distinct identity. The dual-character gameplay keeps things fresh, ensuring you stay hooked from start to finish. The game belongs on anybody’s playlist and so for its unique premise, polished execution, and sheer entertainment value.

American Arcadia easily earns the Thumb Culture Platinum Award.

Disclaimer: A code was received in order to write this review.

Thumb Culture

YouTube | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Discord | Podcast

 

About Author

Average Rating

5 Star
0%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *