Archetype Arcadia is a dark, sci-fi visual novel for Nintendo Switch. It is set in a post-apocalyptic world where a mysterious disease called the "Original Sindrome" has wiped out most of humanity. The disease causes insanity, sensory illusions and uncontrollable self-destructive urges. The only way to control the symptoms is to spend time inside a virtual game called Archetype Arcadia.
The player follows Rust, who is not affected by the disease, and his sister, who is. When she suddenly falls unresponsive, Rust enters the immersive game to search for a way to help her. Inside is a world of people and monsters, where players wear a game device to use powerful memories and matching avatars to fight each other. Living in the virtual world may delay the disease, but it carries severe consequences.
As Rust battles toward a cure, he meets people with unexpected identities and origins, and he makes friends and enemies. The story is told over 8 chapters. Players make choices along the way, and some choices lead to bad endings. Flashbacks show the past and how memories shape a character's future. Other characters' ideas and emotions are shown through different perspectives.
- Platform
- Nintendo Switch
- Genre
- Post-apocalyptic sci-fi visual novel
- Length
- 8 chapters
- Gameplay
- Choice-making moments with multiple options and bad endings
- Story features
- Flashbacks, character perspectives, boss encounters and key story milestones
- Art
- Dynamic art for story scenes