The review embargo has officially lifted for The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales, marking a significant milestone for a beloved development studio. Released globally on June 18, 2026, this highly anticipated title represents the very first attempt by Square Enix Team Asano to apply their iconic HD-2D visual style to a real-time action format. After exploring turn-based and tactical realms with franchises like Octopath Traveler and Triangle Strategy, the developer has pivoted toward an adventure heavily inspired by 16-bit action classics. So far, the gamble seems to have paid off beautifully. As the first wave of scores lands, The Adventures of Elliot Metacritic average sits comfortably in the low 80s, solidifying it as a must-play summer release.
Square Enix Team Asano Perfects the Nostalgic Aesthetic
Critics are overwhelmingly praising the sheer visual splendor of this HD-2D action RPG. Set in the Kingdom of Huther—humanity's final sanctuary on the beast-overrun continent of Philabieldia—the game features meticulously crafted pixel art layered over stunning 3D environments with dynamic lighting and depth-of-field effects. You step into the boots of the titular hero, Elliot, accompanied by his fairy sidekick, Faie, on a sprawling journey that spans a thousand years of history.
Reviewers have highlighted the game's inventive time-travel mechanics, which allow players to jump between four distinct eras to alter the course of history and thwart the villain Kaifried. The transition between these timelines showcases the flexibility of the graphics engine, making it one of the most visually diverse games the studio has ever produced. Exploring a location in the past and seeing how your actions ripple into the future landscape adds a thrilling layer of puzzle-solving to the environmental design. The sweeping orchestral score has also been heavily cited as a major highlight, keeping the adventurous spirit alive as you explore untamed wilderness, intricate towns, and treacherous dungeons.
Mastering Real-Time Combat and Progression
Moving away from menu-based battling is no small feat, but the real-time systems implemented here are undeniably engaging. The Millennium Tales review scores frequently commend the fluid, responsive combat loop. Unlike the slow, deliberate pace of previous Team Asano games, Elliot slices through enemies with immediate, satisfying feedback. You are constantly swapping between magical abilities, dodging incoming attacks, and utilizing Faie’s strategic support skills to exploit enemy weaknesses.
Further deepening the combat is a robust progression system utilizing Magicite, which allows players to customize Elliot's loadout with enhanced attacks and passive buffs. Many journalists have drawn favorable comparisons to legendary action-adventure franchises, noting that the dungeon design, puzzle-solving, and large-scale boss battles evoke a warm, familiar nostalgia while remaining mechanically fresh. Finding hidden chests containing rare Magicite encourages meticulous exploration, rewarding players who venture off the critical path.
Where The Millennium Tales Stumbles
While the overall reception is glowing, The Adventures of Elliot review consensus points out a few notable blemishes preventing it from reaching universal masterpiece status. The most commonly cited issue involves the game's narrative pacing. Some critics argue that the script is noticeably overindulgent, bogged down by excessive dialogue that interrupts the otherwise stellar exploration.
Princess Heuria, a central character whose magical barrier protects the kingdom, has been specifically called out in several reviews for dragging out early-game cutscenes. After a series of fateful events, she is afflicted by a curse that puts the kingdom in jeopardy, triggering Elliot's quest. While the premise is solid, reviewers note that her constant presence in the early hours drives a somewhat frustrating hand-holding sequence that takes too long to let the player off the leash.
Furthermore, technical performance varies across the diverse hardware ecosystem. While the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S versions run flawlessly, reviewers have flagged optimization hiccups on PC and specific portable hardware. Frame rate drops and minor stuttering have been reported during visually intense boss encounters featuring heavy particle effects on PC setups, as well as on early builds for the latest Nintendo hardware. Thankfully, developers have already acknowledged these optimization hiccups, and day-one patches are expected to smooth out the experience.
A Standout Among Early Nintendo Switch 2 Games?
Despite minor technical snags and a chatty cast, The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales successfully bridges the gap between classic 16-bit action-adventures and modern graphical fidelity. It confidently stands alongside the strongest early Nintendo Switch 2 games, offering a robust, deeply charming adventure that proves the HD-2D engine is just as viable for high-octane action as it is for thoughtful turn-based strategy.
For collectors and dedicated fans, Square Enix is also offering a limited Collector's Edition featuring a diorama-style clock of Faie and the Portal of Time, alongside the remastered soundtrack. Whether you are grabbing the standard or premium version, Elliot's journey into the past is well worth undertaking. Square Enix has once again demonstrated their mastery of retro-modern game design, establishing a promising new franchise that will undoubtedly captivate action RPG enthusiasts.
