The Arcana: A Mystic Romance (Arcana) features you as a magician’s apprentice, who embarks on a magical journey brimming with tarots, action and romance with your chosen love interest.
Story (★★★★★)
✔️ LGBT-friendly visual novel
✔️ Engaging and well-written narrative
Gameplay (★★★☆☆)
✔️ A mashup of Fruits Basket and Edgar Allan Poe’s The Masque of the Red Death
✔️ Close reminder to Major Arcana Tarot Cards
✔️ 6 story paths to choose from
✔️ 3 mini games are available (Tarot Reading, Heart Hunters and Wheel of Fate)
✔️ I can play whichever story paths I wish to at any time
✔️ Selected options will affect your interactions with the character
❌ Selected options have no effect on the direction of the overall chapter
❌ Some options will require you to spend coins that are difficult to gain
❌ Long waiting time for keys and other stuff to be replenished
❌ Forces you to pay if you don’t have the patience
❌ Emphasises on monetisation by limiting the number of free coins and keys
Graphics (★★★★★)
✔️ Beautiful 2D cartoonish art style
✔️ Stunning character and background designs with vibrant colours
Audio (★★★★☆)
✔️ Serene and immersive soundscape
Verdict (★★★★★★★★☆☆)
Though the game may appear like a mashup of an otome game and a visual novel, Arcana has much more to offer, especially when it comes to eye candies😍. As for me, the stunning visuals get me in the door, but it’s the mystery and charming characters that keep me coming back for more!
Still, if you're in it for romance and visual novels, there're tons to be admired here. Even so, the long waiting game and the difficulty of gaining in-game currencies are still driving me up the wall.😠