Info about Arzette: The Jewel of Faramore:

Official game description:
  
After ten years of peace...the evil Daimur has returned! Princess Arzette is the Kingdom of Faramore’s only hope to restore harmony to the land!  
In this brand new interactive action adventure game, you control the resourceful princess Arzette. Travel through multiple breathtaking locations filled with scum, villainy and secrets, speak with the locals to uncover mysteries and objectives, and take on the evil Daimur as **Arzette: The Jewel of Faramore** brings you the best interactive gaming experience since the invention of the CD-ROM!  
**Featuring:**  
*   Hand painted backgrounds and incredible sprite art.  
*   Fully voice-acted cartoon cinematics with a colorful cast of characters.  
*   A sprawling world with diverse locations and many secrets.  
*   Acquire powerful items and abilities by exploring and helping those in need.  
*   Veteran dev team including artist Rob Dunlavey, Digital Foundry's John Linneman and Audi Sorlie, voice talent Jeffrey Rath and Bonnie Jean Wilbur, and award winning composer Jake "Button Masher" Silverman.

Release date: Feb 13, 2024

Categories: 2D Platformer, Metroidvania, Action-Adventure, Narrative Adventure, Comedy, Parody, Hand-Drawn Animation, Character-driven Interactions and Dialogue

Feature scans:
- Steam Deck: score 30; verdict: Playable with Minor Issues; summary: The game performs well on the Steam Deck with good battery life and smooth performance. However, there are notable issues with repetitive gameplay and unengaging minigames. The story is also criticized for being cliché and uninteresting.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $9.00 - $15.00
  - Reasoning: The evidence suggests that while some users find the game enjoyable, there is a common sentiment that the game is overpriced at its current level. Multiple reviews mention that $20 is too much for the amount of content provided, and several users recommend waiting for a sale. The general consensus seems to be that a fair price would be lower than $20, with some users suggesting that even $9 is too high.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 5.0h
  - Story completion: 3.0h
  - Session length: 1.5h
  - Endgame: 2.0h
  - Reasoning: The evidence provides multiple data points on the typical playtime for different completion states. The quotes mention playtimes ranging from 3 to 5 hours for completing the game, including 100% completion and multiple playthroughs. These data points help to estimate the typical playtime hours for game completion, story completion, session length, and endgame content.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The game starts as tedious and repetitive but becomes more enjoyable after unlocking new abilities and modes, which enhance replay value and reduce friction.
  - Stance: Fun after unlocks
  - Anchor: Unlocking new abilities and modes
  - Time to anchor: 1h 0m
  - Friction: repetitive gameplay; tedious backtracking; basic combat
  - Unlock drivers: new abilities; additional difficulty modes; upgrades
  - Conditions: short levels; well-designed levels; tight controls
- Player Archetypes:
  - Nostalgic CD-i Enthusiast (buy)
    - Motivation: Nostalgia and humor
    - Playstyle: Casual, enjoys the story and humor
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: Zelda CD-i fan; Nostalgic gamer
    - Reference games: Zelda CD-i games
  - Game Dev Analyst (buy)
    - Motivation: Game development interest and challenge
    - Playstyle: Analytical, completionist
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: Game dev enthusiast; Speedrunner
    - Reference games: Metroidvania games; Shantae series
  - Value-Conscious Gamer (sale)
    - Motivation: Value for money
    - Playstyle: Casual, enjoys a variety of games
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: Budget gamer; Sale shopper
    - Reference games: Indie games; Metroidvania games


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Homage to CD-i Zelda games (weight 0.86): The game successfully captures the aesthetic, style, and feel of the Zelda CD-i games, making it a charming and nostalgic experience for fans. It pays homage to the CD-i era with its art style, animations, and cutscenes, while also improving upon the original games.
- Positive overall experience (weight 0.65): Players consistently describe the game as fun, enjoyable, and well worth playing. It is praised for its fantastic platforming, awesome soundtrack, and interesting gameplay.
- High-quality cutscenes (weight 0.62): The cutscenes are a major highlight, praised for being well-made, stylistically faithful, and enjoyable. They are described as hilarious, charming, and a main draw of the game.
- Solid and fun gameplay (weight 0.48): The gameplay is described as solid, fun, and engaging. It is praised for being responsive, well-paced, and satisfying, making it a key aspect of the game's appeal.
- Great music and soundtrack (weight 0.4): The music is consistently praised for being excellent, catchy, and reminiscent of the original games. It adds to the nostalgic and enjoyable atmosphere of the game.
- Excellent voice acting (weight 0.38): The voice acting is memorable and of high quality, contributing significantly to the game's charm and humor. Players appreciate the effort put into the voice work.
- Effective parody and humor (weight 0.32): The game is praised for its good writing and humor, rising above being just a parody. It effectively balances homage and originality.
- Good platformer elements (weight 0.25): The game is noted for its competent platforming mechanics, which are well-executed and enjoyable. It blends platformer elements with other genres effectively.
- Metroidvania aspects (weight 0.22): The game incorporates Metroidvania elements, offering a mix of exploration and action platforming. This adds depth and variety to the gameplay experience.
- Well-designed levels (weight 0.18): The level design is noted for being well-thought-out and gorgeous, contributing to the overall quality and enjoyment of the game.
- Improved controls (weight 0.18): The controls are responsive and improved, addressing issues from the original games and enhancing the gameplay experience.
- Satisfying exploration (weight 0.15): The exploration aspects of the game are satisfying and well-executed, adding to the overall enjoyment and depth of the gameplay.

Common complaints:
- Bosses lack challenge (weight 0.38): Many players found the bosses, including the final boss, to be too easy and not challenging enough. Some even described them as pathetic or joke-like, expressing a desire for more difficulty and scariness.
- Gameplay is basic and clunky (weight 0.31): The gameplay is often described as simple, uninspired, and not exceptional. Some players found it acceptable but generally underwhelming.
- Excessive backtracking (weight 0.29): Players frequently mentioned repetitive and tedious backtracking as a significant issue, making the gameplay feel monotonous.
- Game is too short (weight 0.26): Many players felt that the game was too short, with a runtime of around 3-5 hours, leaving them wanting more content.
- Combat is disappointing (weight 0.22): Combat is described as one-dimensional, easy, and not particularly good, leading to a lack of enjoyment.
- Weak and cliché story (weight 0.15): The story is described as the weakest part of the game, being cliché, forgettable, and ultimately uninteresting.
- Lack of enemy variety (weight 0.14): The game is criticized for having a lack of enemy variety, with enemies being mindless and simple.
- Hitbox problems (weight 0.09): Players noted that hitboxes can seem off or wack, affecting the gameplay experience.
- Limited replay value (weight 0.09): The game is criticized for not having much replay value, with the novelty running out quickly.
- Instant death pitfalls (weight 0.08): Players mentioned the presence of instant death pitfalls, which can be frustrating and unfair.
- Price too high (weight 0.08): Some players felt that the game was too expensive for the quality and content it offers.
- Character tone mismatch (weight 0.07): Arzette is described as being too serious compared to other characters, and seemingly aware of how weird the other characters are.

Gameplay feedback:
- 2D platformer with Metroidvania elements (weight 0.6): The game is a 2D action-platforming experience with light exploration elements. It mixes platforming with Metroidvania-like exploration and includes retro-inspired gameplay mechanics.
- Inspired by Zelda CD-i games (weight 0.59): The game is a parody and homage to the Zelda CD-I games, featuring similar gameplay style, characters, and elements. It serves as a spiritual successor and includes self-aware jokes and references to retro CD-I Zelda.
- Memorable and stylized cutscenes (weight 0.3): The game features cutscenes that are both memorable and stylized, reminiscent of CD-I games. These cutscenes are a notable aspect of the game's presentation.
- Short gameplay duration (weight 0.22): The game is relatively short, offering a brief but enjoyable platforming experience. The levels are designed to be completed quickly.
- Side quests and rewards (weight 0.2): The game includes various quests and rewards, with side quests that offer additional items and challenges.
- Boss fights and Boss Rush mode (weight 0.16): The game includes boss fights that are easy and similar to CD-i titles but tweaked. There is also a Boss Rush mode for additional challenge.
- Combat and movement upgrades (weight 0.14): The game includes combat and movement upgrades, providing new abilities and enhancing the combat experience.
- Speedrunning potential (weight 0.13): The game has potential for speedrunning, offering opportunities for players to compete for the fastest completion times.
- Item and difficulty progression (weight 0.13): The game features a progression system that includes item progression and difficulty progression. This system enhances the gameplay experience.
- Multiple game modes (weight 0.12): The game offers various difficulty modes including Normal Mode, Hero Mode, and Classic Mode. These modes provide different levels of challenge and gameplay experiences.
- Parody and references to 90s media (weight 0.12): The game includes parody elements and references to 90s media, adding a layer of humor and nostalgia.
- Cleverly designed power-ups (weight 0.09): The game features power-ups that are cleverly designed, enhancing the gameplay and progression.
- Responsive controls (weight 0.09): The game has responsive controls, although there are some issues with the control scheme.
- Collectibles and item collection (weight 0.09): The game features collectibles and a focus on item collection, adding to the exploration and progression aspects.
- Multiple levels with enemies and secrets (weight 0.09): The game features multiple levels with enemies and secrets, providing a varied and engaging experience.
- Weird and original NPCs (weight 0.08): The game features super weird and original NPCs, adding to the game's unique charm.
- Forgiving respawn mechanics (weight 0.08): The game includes forgiving respawn mechanics, making it more accessible and less frustrating.
- Too easy and simplistic (weight 0.08): Some players find the game to be too easy and very simplistic, which may affect the challenge and depth.

Performance notes:
- Optimized for Steam Deck (weight 0.1): The game is reported to perform well on the Steam Deck, with good frame rates and battery life. It achieves 60 FPS and around 6.5 hours of battery life at 800p resolution.
- Cutscene audio desync glitch (weight 0.06): There is a reported glitch where cutscenes experience desynchronization with audio, affecting the overall gameplay experience.
- Game crashes at launch (weight 0.06): Some players have experienced crashes within the first minute of playing the game, indicating potential stability issues at startup.
- Blurry text in fullscreen (weight 0.06): The text in the game appears blurry when played in fullscreen mode, which can affect readability and user experience.

Recommendations:
- Recommended on sale (weight 0.34): Many reviews suggest buying the game on sale, especially if you are unsure about it or have high nostalgia for the older games it is based on. The game's short duration also makes it a good purchase on sale.
- Recommended for Zelda CD-i and YTP fans (weight 0.32): This game is highly recommended for those familiar with or fans of Zelda CD-i games and YouTube Poops (YTPs). It captures the chaotic and humorous essence of these cult classics.
- Good parody and humorous game (weight 0.17): The game is praised for being a good parody and homage to the worst Zeldas, with great humor. It is recommended for fans of memes and those who enjoy humorous games.
- Gameplay tips and recommendations (weight 0.14): Various gameplay tips are provided, such as playing on easy mode, using a proper controller, and always carrying bombs. These tips enhance the gaming experience.
- Potential for future content (weight 0.12): There is hope and potential for future content, such as a randomizer to add replayability, more CDi-likes or spiritual successors, and a top-down Arzette game.
- Worth picking up despite nitpicks (weight 0.09): The game is considered worth picking up despite some minor criticisms. It offers charm and value that make it a worthwhile purchase.
- Watch gameplay before buying (weight 0.09): It is recommended to watch gameplay, such as Game Grumps playing the game, before deciding to purchase. This helps in making an informed decision.
- Mods and additional content (weight 0.09): Recommendations include playing the Farcette mod after completing the vanilla game and buying the spoon for the best experience. These additions enhance the gameplay.
- Fantastic for all ages (weight 0.05): The game is described as fantastic for both kids and adults, making it a versatile and enjoyable experience for a wide range of players.
- Physical editions available (weight 0.05): Physical and collector's editions of the game are available, providing options for collectors and those who prefer physical copies.

Other player notes:
- Mod for YTP cutscenes (weight 0.05): A mod exists that transforms the game's cutscenes into YouTube Poops (YTPs), which are humorous and often nonsensical video edits.
- Free key from Limited Run (weight 0.04): Some players received a free game key from the publisher Limited Run Games, which might influence their reviews.

Emotions:
- Joy (weight 0.26): Players experience joy due to the game's charming and humorous nature, which includes delightful cutscenes, fun gameplay mechanics, and a nostalgic CDI Zelda aesthetic. The combination of addictive gameplay, rewarding item hunting, and hilarious cinematics contributes to an overall positive and enjoyable experience.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.11): Enjoyment stems from the game's unique charm, funny cutscenes, and competent design. The smooth gameplay, nostalgic atmosphere, and high-quality voice acting enhance the overall experience, making it engaging and memorable.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.1): Nostalgia is evoked through the game's faithful homage to the CD-i era, including retro-styled graphics, familiar references to Zelda and Mario CD-i games, and a nostalgic 90's CD-ROM feel in the music. This connection to retro gaming and meme culture resonates with players' childhood memories.
- Frustration (weight 0.09): Frustration arises from control scheme issues, glitches, and repetitive gameplay elements. Players also report annoyance with clunky combat mechanics, platforming problems, and technical issues that detract from the overall experience.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.08): Satisfaction comes from the game's successful execution as a platformer with fun exploration and item collection. Players appreciate the game's art, music, and overall quality, which encourage repeat playthroughs and a sense of accomplishment.
- Excitement (weight 0.08): Excitement is generated by the game's unique identity, engaging gameplay loop, and humorous elements. The soundtrack, varied cutscene styles, and potential for future sequels add to the anticipation and enjoyment.
- Disappointment (weight 0.07): Disappointment is caused by the game's short duration, repetitive elements, and unbalanced difficulty. Players also express dissatisfaction with the story, character treatment, and lackluster boss design, which do not meet their expectations.
- Amusement (weight 0.06): Amusement is derived from the game's parody nature, funny animations, and silly CDI artstyle. The humorous dialogue and cutscenes, along with the game's light-hearted treatment of the source material, contribute to a fun and entertaining experience.
- Appreciation (weight 0.03): Appreciation comes from the game's heartfelt homage to Zelda CD-i games, with lovingly produced cutscenes and a sincere effort to improve upon the originals. Players recognize the labor of love and care put into the game's development.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.03): Enthusiasm is driven by the game's successful parody and homage aspects, as well as its engaging gameplay and story. Players enjoy the game's quests, modes, and overall features, contributing to a positive experience.
- Approval (weight 0.02): Approval is given for the game's ability to nail the CD-i Zelda style without being bad, and for its convenient gameplay features like respawn mechanics. Players appreciate the cool CD-i Zelda style and the game's overall design.
- Admiration (weight 0.02): Admiration is felt for the love poured into the characters and cutscenes, as well as the smart and original design. Players applaud the game's improvements and refinements on the Zelda CD-I games, recognizing the achievement in its development.
- Happiness (weight 0.01): Happiness is derived from the positive memories and the game's ability to make players smile. The charming and cute aspects of the game contribute to an overall sense of joy and contentment.
- Love (weight 0.01): Love for the game is inspired by its homage to the Zelda CD-i style and its artistic and developmental context. Players are drawn to the game's charming and cute aspects, which evoke a strong emotional connection.
- Surprise (weight 0.01): Surprise comes from the unexpected enjoyment and smoothness of the controls. Players are pleasantly surprised by the game's overall quality and engaging gameplay.
- Hope (weight 0.01): Hope is expressed for future titles expanding on the gameplay and building upon the game's unique identity. Players look forward to seeing more games set in this world and from this developer.
- Anticipation (weight 0.01): Anticipation is felt for seeing more of the game's characters and world in future installments. Players eagerly await upcoming content and potential sequels.
- Fascination (weight 0.01): Fascination is inspired by the game's unique identity as a Zelda CD-i inspired title. Players are intrigued by the game's developmental context and its homage to retro gaming.}