The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales review
The Evolution of HD-2D
Square Enix has been delivering year after year without losing any steam, especially when it comes to their HD-2D department. They continue to release new, beloved IPs, from the Octopath Traveler entries and Live A Live to Triangle Strategy, and now, The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales. All of these games share one thing in common: they hit players with a wave of nostalgia for classic titles while keeping things fresh with innovative character designs, gorgeous art styles, and beautiful narratives that leave a lasting impression.
What sets The Adventures of Elliot apart is its genre. For the longest time, the HD-2D art style has been used solely for turn-based and tactical strategy RPGs. This refreshing take on a real-time action RPG is a fantastic pivot for the developers. If players are familiar with early The Legend of Zelda titles, this game will feel right at home. It is bound to put a smile on many faces, especially with how well it plays out alongside fully voiced dialogue and scenic cutscenes that make brilliant use of the environment and character sprites.
Doorway of Time
The first hour of the game is very straightforward. You play as Elliot, an optimistic adventurer who never backs down from the challenges and hurdles waiting for him. What starts as a small request from Elliot’s close friend, Euygene, a scholar in the royal palace of Huther, quickly takes a dramatic twist. Suddenly, Elliot finds himself involved in a much bigger adventure after discovering the Doorway of Time.
This definitely feels like a homage to Chrono Trigger, as you travel through different time periods of the same world. While the open world might feel small, dividing it into different eras, from the Age of Magic to the Reconstruction era, and more.
Combat Mechanics
Combat is clear-cut: you hack ‘n’ slash your way through enemies using a varied arsenal of weapons. Although the system lacks deep complexity, Elliot can equip up to two weapons from a pool of seven unlockables found throughout his adventure. Combining different weapons helps keep monotony at bay; you can swap from old-school sword swinging to a scythe that sweeps 360 degrees to hit multiple enemies, or use a spear that teaches you the importance of spacing. And, of course, there is your classic bomb!
Because there is no dodge mechanic, the game constantly emphasises blocking and parrying. It rewards players with a satisfying “Clink, clank”, and the timing window is quite forgiving. A successful parry not only deflects enemy attacks but also damages and stuns them. A standout instance involves obtaining the mirror shield, which leads to a boss fight where mastering the parry mechanic feels incredibly rewarding.
Progression and Magicite
I am always amazed by how developers work around progression without traditional character levels or stats. Players do not earn experience points or level up in this game. Instead, it rewards players for maintaining a “no-hit” streak against enemies. You can pair this performance with “Magicite” magical gems that augment Elliot and add unique effects to his weapons.
Companions and Faie
There are a ton of characters Elliot meets throughout his adventure, and many of them really grow on you. Take Mao, for example: a Myū with deep compassion for the few people she allows into her life, who eventually grows fond of humans. As you traverse each character’s storyline, you genuinely connect with them.
Another companion is Faie, a cute fairy who follows you. She comes to the rescue during the initial boss fight with Kaifried, which sends Elliot tumbling into the abyss. Thankfully, Faie resurrects Elliot and joins him on his journey, and as it turns out, only Elliot can see and hear her. If you know anything about this developer’s history with fairies, it is hard not to be wary; the betrayal and plot twists in the original Bravely Default still haunt players to this day.
Exploring Philabieldia
Philabieldia might look small at first glance, but I am glad to report that it breathes so much life, with every corner of the map densely packed. From lush greenery to hot, deserts and icy mountains, it has everything a JRPG lover could want. Dungeons and caves are carefully scattered across the world, each featuring its own puzzles to solve and numerous rewards to claim.
As an adventurer, you are encouraged to veer off the main quest and get lost in the wild; you never know what secrets are waiting for you. The side quests are also straightforward, though some intertwine across different dimensions, requiring you to time-travel to fulfill requests. Furthermore, peculiar, cute felines are hidden around the world, and finding all of them rewards you with a ton of goodies.
Verdict
This shift in genre for Square Enix’s HD-2D line is a fresh take that proves this art style still holds a massive place in the gaming landscape. The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales holds up brilliantly in both narrative and art direction. This timeless game is absolutely here to stay, an adventure that players won’t want to miss, so make sure you clear some time for it.
Thank you to Square Enix and Bandai Namco for the review code. The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales is out now on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X/S, and Steam.
