Elliot: HD-2D Action, Mixed
Square Enix's First HD-2D Action RPG, The Adventures of Elliot, Delivers Engaging Combat Despite Flawed Puzzles
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FinalWeapon notes that *The Adventures of Elliot* is Square Enix’s “very first HD-2D action-based RPG,” contrasting it with earlier HD-2D efforts that had been turn-based (e.g., *Octopath Traveler*, *LIVE-A-LIVE*, and HD-2D *Dragon Quest* remakes).
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Cubed3 reports the long development-to-release arc included two public demos—the second described as “a refined one following early feedback”—and that Square Enix also invited Cubed3 to an early preview session to judge the game’s puzzles and combat.
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Cubed3 adds an additional narrative critique: the game’s fully voiced dialogue is described as “somewhat bland,” with “a lot of dialogue that feels like it is not needed,” and skipping it being “counter-intuitive” because conversations push Elliot to the next area.
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Pocket Tactics highlights early progression structure: “within an hour or so” players should have “four of the seven available weapons,” and the game lets players equip “two simultaneously,” enabling more flexible combat combinations.
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Kotaku emphasizes the game’s offbeat physics/system sandbox: one reviewer’s lasting memory is using a fairy to “suck up many snails” into a “huge snail pile,” then “chucking and detonating a bomb right in the middle of them.” The same review also praises the immediacy of combat controls while noting that bombs initially hurt the player until upgrades fix the issue.
Square Enix's *The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales* launches June 18, 2026, arriving nearly a year after its July 2025 reveal. The HD-2D top-down action RPG has landed with an 82% average on OpenCritic, drawing praise for its fast combat and vivid art while facing criticism for simple puzzles and a chatty fairy companion.
The game marks a first for Square Enix: its initial HD-2D action RPG, according to FinalWeapon. Previous HD-2D titles like *Octopath Traveler* and *LIVE-A-LIVE* were all turn-based. *Elliot* breaks that mold entirely.
Fast Combat and Seven Weapons Win Reviewers Over
Critics agree the combat is the game's strongest feature. Gamespew calls it "an essential action RPG" for fans of *The Legend of Zelda* or *Alundra*. Controls are immediate and responsive. The game gives players access to four of the seven available weapons within the first hour, according to Pocket Tactics. Players can equip two at once, allowing flexible combinations.
Kotaku highlighted the game's offbeat physics sandbox as a highlight. One reviewer's lasting memory was using the fairy companion to "suck up many snails" into a "huge snail pile," then "chucking and detonating a bomb right in the middle of them." Bombs initially hurt the player, but upgrades fix that problem.
Puzzles and Dungeons Fall Short of the Combat's Energy
Where the game stumbles is its dungeon design. Head Topics describes the puzzles as "simplistic" and the dungeons as lacking distinct identity. That undermines the exploration side of the adventure. The kingdom of Huther and the wider world of Philabieldia look beautiful, but reviewers say the layouts rarely match the visual flair.
Cubed3 attended an early preview session focused on puzzles and combat. Their review echoes the same critique: puzzle design is overly simple. The game's time-traveling story across multiple eras has scale, but the dungeons in between don't carry enough weight to make the journey feel earned.
Fairy Companion Faie Talks Too Much, Story Says Too Little
The fairy companion Faie is a recurring complaint across reviews. Her "constant chatter" frustrates players, though an option to reduce it does exist, according to Pocket Tactics. Cubed3 goes further, calling the fully voiced dialogue "somewhat bland," with "a lot of dialogue that feels like it is not needed." Skipping it is "counter-intuitive" because conversations also push Elliot toward the next area.
The story follows Elliot uncovering ruins tied to a threatened coup and a princess in danger, with multiple endings available. Kotaku finds the plot "safe" and "predictable." Reaching the true ending takes around 23 hours. Side quests exist but largely fail to grip, reviewers say.
A Polished Debut for HD-2D Action, With Room to Grow
Nintendo Insider notes the game serves as a showcase for Switch 2 hardware, handling the HD-2D engine's complex lighting and physics in real time. Two public demos came before launch. The second was "a refined one following early feedback," according to Cubed3. Save data from the prologue demo carries over to the full game.
The overall verdict across outlets is consistent: *The Adventures of Elliot* is a smooth, accessible action game with genuinely exciting fights and charm to spare. But its puzzle design and story depth don't match its combat energy. For Square Enix, it's a promising first step into HD-2D action — not a flawless one.
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