The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales: Is It Worth It? Our Honest Verdict
Introduction
There’s a certain magic to a game that knows exactly what it wants to be and executes that vision with confidence and polish. The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales is exactly that kind of game. It’s a love letter to classic 16-bit action-adventures, wrapped in Square Enix’s stunning HD-2D visual style and powered by a time-travel mechanic that transforms a single overworld into four distinct eras. It’s familiar, yes. Sometimes almost to a fault. But when a game plays this well and looks this good, it’s hard to stay mad at it for being a bit derivative.
Developed by Square Enix’s Team Asano (the creative force behind Octopath Traveler and Bravely Default) in collaboration with Claytechworks, The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales marks the studio’s first foray into action-adventure territory. The game launched on June 18, 2026, for PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2, and it arrives with considerable weight behind it. After all, when the creators of some of the best modern JRPGs decide to tackle a Zelda-inspired action game, people take notice.
We’ve spent over 20 hours exploring the world of Philabieldia across four different ages, battling beastmen, solving puzzles, and listening to our fairy companion Faie’s endless chatter. So, after all that, we have to ask: is The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales worth your time and money? Let’s break it down.
Quick Verdict Box
TL;DR: The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales is a beautifully crafted, mechanically satisfying action-adventure that wears its Zelda inspirations proudly on its sleeve. The time-travel mechanic is clever, the combat is sharp, and the HD-2D visuals are a treat. However, a generic story, repetitive enemy variety, and an overly chatty fairy companion hold it back from true greatness. It’s a safe but delightful experience that classic RPG fans will adore.
Buy it if:
- You love classic Zelda-style action-adventures with modern polish
- You’re a fan of Square Enix’s HD-2D visual style
- You enjoy games with rewarding exploration and deep combat customization
Skip it if:
- You’re looking for a groundbreaking, original narrative
- Repetitive enemy encounters and backtracking frustrate you
- You prefer games with a silent protagonist and minimal dialogue
What Are The Adventures of Elliot?
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Developer | Square Enix, Claytechworks |
| Publisher | Square Enix |
| Genre | Action Role-Playing / Action-Adventure |
| Platforms | PC (Steam), PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2 |
| Price | $59.99 / £49.99 / €59.99 (Digital Deluxe Edition $69.99) |
| Release Date | June 18, 2026 |
The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales is an action role-playing game developed by Square Enix and Claytechworks. It follows the adventurer Elliot as he travels through time to save his kingdom from various perils while helping people he meets along the way. The game is the first action-adventure title to use Square Enix’s signature HD-2D visual style, combining pixel art with 3D CG. It’s available on all major platforms with a free demo available across all platforms.
Gameplay & Mechanics
The Time-Travel Mechanic: One World, Four Ages
The hook of The Adventures of Elliot is its time-travel mechanic, and it’s a brilliant one. The game takes place on a single overworld map, but you can traverse it across four distinct time periods: Elliot’s home time (the Age of Safekeeping), the Age of Reconstruction, the Age of Magic, and the Age of Budding. Each era transforms the world in meaningful ways. Ruins in the present become thriving cities in the past. Blocked paths in one age become open passages in another. As one review put it, this structure turns “one modest world into something that feels twice the size and gives it a palpable history to explore.”
The fast travel system cleverly incorporates time travel, letting you jump between eras as long as you’ve unlocked the relevant fast travel points in that period. This creates a satisfying loop of exploration, where you’re constantly discovering new paths and secrets by simply shifting your perspective in time. However, the backtracking can become tedious, especially towards the end of the game, as you jump back and forth to access previously locked areas.
Combat: Sharp, Customizable, and Deep
Combat is where The Adventures of Elliot truly shines. The game features seven different weapon types, ranging from traditional swords and bows to more unconventional options like chains and sickles. You can equip two weapons at a time and switch between them on the fly, allowing for dynamic combat strategies. Each weapon has its own advantages, and as you find upgraded versions, they gain charged effects that can turn the tide of battle.
The real depth comes from the Magicite customization system. You can modify weapons with enhancements that either boost stats or fundamentally change how they behave in combat. For example, you can make your hammer’s heavy attack summon an AOE electric spell or add a wave of fire to your spear’s dash attack. This system allows for “gnarly combinations” that make combat feel fresh and personalized.
Boss fights are a major highlight, featuring multi-stage encounters and puzzle bosses that outclass anything from the 2D Zelda games. The combat is quick and weighty, and the game eschews the overdone dodge roll in favor of a shield for blocking and parrying.
Exploration and Puzzles: Rewarding Curiosity
Exploration is heavily rewarded in The Adventures of Elliot. The game encourages you to poke around every corner, and you’re often rewarded with new abilities, upgrades, or hidden paths. The puzzle design is creative, requiring you to use both your weapons and Faie’s fairy magic to progress. Faie can scout ahead, retrieve distant objects, and light torches, making traversal feel more interactive and dynamic.
One charming side activity is cat-collecting, where you search the world for stray cats in exchange for various rewards. Faie’s Magic Lessons also introduce mini-games, including sprint-based challenges that unlock records for the game’s soundtrack.
Story & Presentation
Narrative: Adequate but Uninspired
If there’s one area where The Adventures of Elliot falls short, it’s the story. The game follows a familiar formula: a princess in peril, a kingdom under threat, and a hero who rises to save the day. The writing has been described as “perfectly competent original flavor writing; nothing more, nothing less.” It’s not bad; it’s just painfully adequate.
The characters are likeable but archetypal. Elliot is a charismatic adventurer who’s easy to root for. Faie is a slightly amnesiatic fairy who serves as your constant companion and sounding board. The supporting cast grows on you over time, and there are a few narrative twists that add some spice to the main quest. However, the most emotionally impactful moments don’t arrive until quite late, sometimes not until the post-game portions.
Visuals: HD-2D at Its Peak
Visually, The Adventures of Elliot is a knockout. The HD-2D visual style works remarkably well for a top-down action-adventure, giving the game a diorama-like presentation that’s both nostalgic and fresh. The pixel art is crisp and detailed, subtly combined with modern lighting and effects. The game runs wonderfully smoothly, and the world feels alive and inviting.
Audio: Charming and Catchy
The soundtrack, composed by Yuto Moritani and Tomohiro Nakamachi, is charming and fits the game’s adventurous tone perfectly. The voice acting is competent, though Faie’s constant chatter can become grating. Fortunately, you can adjust how chatty she is, though you can never turn her off completely.
Performance & Technical
Performance is generally solid across all platforms. The game runs at 60fps on PS5 and Xbox Series X, with 4K resolution support. The PC version supports up to 120fps with vertical sync off. The Nintendo Switch 2 version runs at up to 60fps in TV mode and 30-60fps in handheld mode.
The system requirements are modest, with a GTX 1650 recommended for 1080p at 60fps. Load times are reasonable, and the game’s save system uses adventuring guideposts that function as fast travel points.
One minor issue is the game’s file size, which ranges from 15.5GB on PS5 to 20GB on PC. The game is also available on Steam with full controller support.
Pros and Cons
Pros
| ✅ | Stunning HD-2D visuals that are a feast for the eyes |
| ✅ | Clever time-travel mechanic that transforms a single world into four eras |
| ✅ | Deep and customizable combat with seven weapon types and Magicite system |
| ✅ | Rewarding exploration with hidden paths, upgrades, and secrets |
| ✅ | Memorable boss fights that are challenging and creative |
| ✅ | Charming side activities like cat-collecting and mini-games |
Cons
| ❌ | Generic, uninspired story that fails to leave a lasting impression |
| ❌ | Repetitive enemy variety with palette swaps representing stronger variants |
| ❌ | Overly chatty fairy companion that can become grating |
| ❌ | Tedious backtracking across four time periods towards the end |
| ❌ | Derivative design that struggles to establish its own identity |
How It Compares
| Game | Price | Playtime | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Adventures of Elliot | $59.99 | 20-25 hours | HD-2D action-adventure with time-travel and deep combat customization |
| The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom | $59.99 | 20-30 hours | Classic Zelda formula with new mechanics; more polished and original |
| Oceanhorn 2 | $29.99 | 15-20 hours | Zelda-like with 3D visuals; less polished but more affordable |
The Adventures of Elliot sits comfortably in the Zelda-like genre, drawing clear inspiration from A Link to the Past and the Mana series. It’s more polished than Oceanhorn 2 but less original than Echoes of Wisdom. At $59.99, it’s priced competitively with other major releases, though the lack of innovation may make it a tougher sell for some players.
Who Should Buy This?
For fans of classic Zelda and action-adventure games: If you grew up on A Link to the Past or Secret of Mana, you’ll feel right at home with The Adventures of Elliot. It captures the spirit of those classics while adding modern polish.
For players who appreciate HD-2D visuals: The game is a showcase for Square Enix’s signature art style. If you loved the look of Octopath Traveler, you’ll be blown away by how well it works in an action-adventure context.
For players who enjoy deep combat customization: The Magicite system offers a level of build customization that’s rare in the genre. Experimenting with different combinations is a genuine joy.
For players who value original storytelling: The story is functional but forgettable. If you’re looking for a narrative that will stick with you, this isn’t it.
For players who dislike repetitive encounters: The enemy variety is limited, and you’ll be fighting the same creatures across all four ages. If this frustrates you, you may want to look elsewhere.
THE GLH RATING
Our Take: After spending over 20 hours hopping between four eras and battling beastmen across the ages, we came away impressed by The Adventures of Elliot‘s polish and mechanical depth but slightly disappointed by its narrative safety. The time-travel mechanic is genuinely clever, the combat is sharp and customizable, and the HD-2D visuals are absolutely stunning. But the generic story, repetitive enemy variety, and overly chatty fairy companion prevent it from reaching the heights of its inspirations. It’s a safe but delightful experience that classic RPG fans will adore, even if it doesn’t quite break new ground.
Overall Score: 7.8 / 10
★★★★☆
Verdict: GOOD
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Gameplay | 8.5 / 10 |
| Story & Presentation | 6.5 / 10 |
| Performance & Polish | 8.0 / 10 |
| Value for Money | 7.5 / 10 |
| Replayability | 7.5 / 10 |
FAQ
Is The Adventures of Elliot worth buying?
Yes, if you’re a fan of classic action-adventure games and appreciate stunning HD-2D visuals. The combat is deep and satisfying, and the time-travel mechanic is genuinely clever. However, if you’re looking for an original, groundbreaking narrative, you may be disappointed. The game has a Metacritic score of 79, reflecting “generally favorable” reviews.
Is The Adventures of Elliot worth it on Switch 2?
The Switch 2 version runs well, with up to 60fps in TV mode and 30-60fps in handheld mode. It’s a great option for portable play, though the PS5 and Xbox versions offer higher resolution and more consistent performance.
How long does it take to beat The Adventures of Elliot?
The main story takes around 20-25 hours. Completionists aiming to find all secrets, upgrades, and side quests can expect 30-35 hours.
Is The Adventures of Elliot worth full price?
At $59.99, the game offers solid value for the 20-25 hour experience. The combat depth and exploration rewards make it a worthwhile purchase for fans of the genre. However, if you’re unsure, consider trying the free demo first.
Is The Adventures of Elliot like Zelda?
Yes, the game draws clear inspiration from classic Zelda games, particularly A Link to the Past. It features a similar structure with dungeons, puzzles, and item-based progression. However, it adds its own twists with the time-travel mechanic and deep combat customization.
Does The Adventures of Elliot have a silent protagonist?
No, Elliot is a fully voiced protagonist. The game actually makes a strong argument for silent protagonists, as the verbose script can sometimes slow down the momentum.
Is The Adventures of Elliot the first HD-2D action game?
Yes, it’s the first action-adventure title to use Square Enix’s HD-2D visual style, previously used in turn-based RPGs like Octopath Traveler.
Conclusion
The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales is a game that knows exactly what it wants to be: a love letter to classic 16-bit action-adventures, wrapped in stunning modern visuals and powered by a clever time-travel mechanic. It’s safe, yes. Derivative, certainly. But when a game plays this well and looks this good, it’s hard to complain too much.
The combat is sharp and customizable, the exploration is rewarding, and the boss fights are genuinely memorable. The HD-2D visuals are a treat for the eyes, and the world of Philabieldia is a joy to explore across four distinct eras. But the generic story, repetitive enemy variety, and overly chatty fairy companion hold it back from true greatness.
For fans of classic Zelda and action-adventure games, this is an easy recommendation. It’s a confident, polished debut for Team Asano’s first action game, and it sets a promising foundation for future entries. Just don’t expect it to reinvent the wheel.
Final recommendation: Buy it if you love classic action-adventures and stunning pixel art. Otherwise, wait for a sale.