Ario - PC Review

Ario Game header from steam with Ario in front and the stone golem behind him near some trees

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Ario, developed by Vata Games and published by Artax Games, plunges players into a vivid yet troubled world. Ario tells the story of a young warrior named Ario, who embarks on a perilous journey to rescue his mother from the clutches of dark forces. What begins as a quest to reunite with his missing parent soon becomes an epic battle against nightmares, curses, and a host of demonic enemies. With its combination of action, platforming, and tower defence elements, Ario attempts to carve out a niche in the crowded 2.5D action-adventure genre. But does it succeed?

Ario, this game needed some more air yo.

What really stands out in Ario is the vibrant art style and dark atmosphere. It does a great job of creating a world filled with tension and mystery, making exploration genuinely exciting. However, not everything hits the mark. The combat system, while serviceable, feels a bit uninspired and repetitive over time. It lacks the depth and fluidity needed to keep the action fresh.

What do you think? Are you excited about the game’s blend of platforming, action, and tower defence? If you’ve played Ario, what aspects did you enjoy or find lacking? Leave a comment and share your thoughts! Whether you’re looking forward to playing or reflecting on your experience, we’d love to hear from you.

Gameplay

Ario begins with a promising narrative. Our protagonist is driven by a deeply personal mission: to find his mother and protect his homeland from an encroaching darkness. The story unfolds across various landscapes, each plagued by nightmares and cursed creatures. While Ario battles through these hostile environments, he encounters allies and enemies, each with their own agendas. While the plot is engaging enough to keep you playing, it rarely strays from familiar territory. Ario does manage to sprinkle in a few surprising twists and lore that help to flesh out the world. However, these moments are not enough to elevate the story beyond the realm of the ordinary.

Main character of Ario (Teenage looking boy with red beanine hat; a bit of brown hair coming out from the hat, open blue vest with exposed chest, black gloves, red shorts, and red boots — Which aisle of the grocery store was my mother in again?

Ario offers a blend of platforming, action, and tower defence mechanics. This mix of genres is ambitious, and the execution leaves something to be desired. The platforming sections are competent, featuring the usual jumps, wall climbs, and environmental hazards. However, the controls feel slightly floaty, leading to occasional frustration during precision jumps. Combat, which is central to the gameplay, involves a combination of melee attacks, crossbow skills, and bombs. While the variety of enemies keeps encounters interesting, the combat system lacks the fluidity and depth seen in top-tier action games. Enemies sometimes feel like damage sponges, turning battles into drawn-out affairs that can become repetitive.

Screen of Ario as the main character holds a weapon, the UI displays a bomb option, your health and other elements as you face across water towards an enemy — Blood is thicker than water, and that arrow shall make you bleed.

The tower defence elements are a welcome change of pace. During these moments you are in control of a ballista-type weapon, whereby you can slow down the speed of your arrow, allowing for precision strikes. However, these segments feel underdeveloped, often coming across as an afterthought rather than a fully realised gameplay feature. It’s a shame because, with more polish, they could have added a unique strategic layer to the game.

Using Ballistic Weapon to fire at enemies — Ready for your close-up?

The bosses in the game had a cool design. They provided entertaining fights that kept players engaged. However, they lacked depth and substance. Upon defeating them, there was little satisfaction. Eventually, I encountered a game-breaking bug. It appeared while I was working through a puzzle. This puzzle was meant to stop the gas and progress the narrative. I tried multiple times to solve it. Sadly, the bug hindered my progress completely. I was unable to move forward in the game. This issue was frustrating, as I had invested hours into it. Despite the enjoyable moments, the lack of polish became apparent. Games should remain enjoyable throughout and not be hindered by technical flaws.

Stone Golem Lava Boss with a tiny Ario having to fight it — So this it what happens when you flush the goldfish down the toilet

Ario features a variety of interconnected areas, each with secrets and hidden pathways waiting to be discovered. This aspect of the game taps into the “Metroidvania” influence, encouraging players to revisit previous areas with new abilities to unlock previously inaccessible zones.

The pacing of exploration and progression is generally well-managed, though some players might find the overall experience too linear. The game does offer side quests and optional challenges, but these rarely deviate from the main path. Once you’ve explored an area and defeated its enemies, there’s little reason to return.

Graphics & Audio

Visually, Ario is a mixed bag. The game’s 2.5D art style is vibrant, with colourful landscapes and character designs that pop. The environments are well-crafted and contribute to the game’s atmosphere. However, the character animations can be stiff, and the overall visual polish falls short of what you might expect from a modern title.

Environment of Aria with trees and mountains all around. It looks like a PS1 game or original Xbox — Wow I’m the only thing that can jump

That said, the art style for the cutscenes is quite beautiful.

Ario getting his crossbow weapon in a stone castle dungeon with a torch lantern near him — Altair may have a hidden blade, but Ario has a visible crossbow

The audio design is similarly uneven. The soundtrack does a decent job setting the tone, with tracks that complement the game’s dark fantasy setting. However, the music can become repetitive during longer play sessions, and the sound effects lack the punch needed to make combat feel impactful, with enemies constantly making the same grunting noises. Voice acting is sparse, and while the dialogue is serviceable, it doesn’t do much to elevate the narrative.

Longevity

Ario offers modest replayability. Multiple difficulty settings allow players to tailor the challenge to their preferences. However, once you’ve completed the main story, there’s little incentive to play through the game again. The game’s linear nature means there’s little room for alternate strategies or approaches on subsequent playthroughs. When you start a new game, there is no way to skip cutscenes unless you have to redo a section. This was horrendously annoying.

Final Thoughts

Ario is a game with a lot of potential. Vata Games had ambitious ideas to create a rich, multifaceted action-adventure experience. However, the game’s various elements never quite come together in a cohesive way. The story is serviceable but uninspired, the gameplay is varied but inconsistent, and the visuals and audio, while competent, don’t leave a lasting impression.

For fans of the 2.5D action-adventure genre, Ario might be worth a look, especially for those seeking a new world to explore. However, don’t expect it to thrill you. Ultimately, Ario is an ambitious but flawed experience that struggles to rise above mediocrity.

While one must appreciate the effort put into this game, it can only be awarded the Thumb Culture Bronze award.

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

About Author

Tyler Denyer

Tyler Denyer/ Tyluild is a passionate journalist, whose love of video games runs deep. With a focus on crafting captivating video game reviews, they immerse themselves in the worlds of gaming, especially ones with deep and rich lore. Beyond games Tyler is a lover of cats, travelling and finding a tasty treat to eat. Eager to stay on top of the latest trends, they regularly attend video game events, and keep on top of news in the gaming world. Fuelled by an insatiable curiosity, our journalist is equally enthralled by not just games themselves, but also new accessories. Their favorite style of game? Without a doubt, RPGs, allowing Tyler to fully explore his imagination, the grind in game is less tedious than in life.

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Ario – PC Review