Arcadie: Second-Born is a true work of art in the form of a game. The narrative is as engaging as few books manage to be, and the characters are so charismatic that they outshine even those presented in more explicit media like films and TV series.

It is incredibly easy to get emotionally invested in the story’s universe, feeling both its joys and sorrows as if they were your own. The level of freedom the developers provide is astonishing, allowing you to shape your character’s personality however you see fit; your protagonist can embody polar opposites. The real question is how much this actually influences the plot, which I cannot personally attest to, as I haven't played through multiple paths - nor could I, given my personal investment in the fate of the characters. I simply don’t have the cold blood necessary to risk such beloved and captivating figures just for the sake of testing different choices.

The only slightly negative aspect - more frustrating than outright critical - is that it doesn’t feel like a complete game. The story ends right where it seems like the middle, if not the first third, of a much larger unfolding tale. I understand that making a game with such deep player-driven choices work is extremely complex, and that’s likely why they need time and resources to release two or three installments to tell a story that, in another format, would probably fit into a single book. That being said, I’d be lying if I said it isn’t extremely frustrating to reach the ending with the feeling that so much is still left unresolved.

Frustrations aside, Arcadie: Second-Born offers a refreshing take on medieval fantasy from a royal perspective. Steering away from the cliché of making the main character the sole center of the fictional universe - as well as having the narrative’s necessary ruthlessness to erase beloved characters from existence - makes this game’s story immersive, surprising, and of outstanding quality. Everyone should give this game a chance, especially those already familiar with and appreciative of text-based games. But even those who aren’t particularly fans of the genre would do well to treat Arcadie: Second-Born as the perfect gateway into this world of interactive fiction.

Playing this first part was an exceptional experience, and despite my frustration, I eagerly await the next installments so I can continue supporting the development of such impressive and captivating stories.

My sincerest congratulations to the developers!