Square Enix's latest release, The Adventures Of Elliot: The Millennium Tales, draws heavily on classic 16-bit role-players such as Secret Of Mana, The Legend Of Zelda: A Link To The Past, and Chrono Trigger. However, despite its nostalgic nods and polished HD-2D visuals, the game struggles to establish its own identity. In a review by GameCentral, the title received a score of 6/10, with praise for its combat and customization but criticism for its tedious storytelling and underutilized time-travel mechanic.
A New IP Steeped in Nostalgia
The game is set in a fantasy kingdom beset by beast tribes, where only one stronghold remains. Players control Elliot, an adventurer who discovers a portal allowing time travel. While the premise echoes Chrono Trigger, the execution falls flat. The story is described as "incredibly dull and extremely long-winded," a hallmark of Square Enix's Team Asano that drags down the experience. Characters over-explain their life stories, making interactions a chore rather than a delight.
The time-travel mechanic, which could have been a standout feature, is woefully underused. Unlike Chrono Trigger's diverse eras spanning from the stone age to the far future, The Adventures Of Elliot offers four time periods that all look nearly identical. The maps and environments barely change, reducing time travel to a narrative gimmick rather than a gameplay driver. According to the review, the homage feels forced: "as if it’s there first and foremost simply to pay homage to Chrono Trigger."
Combat and Customization Shine
Where the game excels is in its combat system, which takes cues from Secret Of Mana. The top-down action is fast-paced and enjoyable, incorporating Zelda-like items such as a boomerang, bombs, and a hammer. A modern parry system adds depth, though enemy variety is lacking, with heavy use of palette-swapped foes to denote tougher variants—a less welcome nod to the past.
Players have significant control over Elliot's build, with customizable magic and special abilities. The fairy companion Faie, which only Elliot can see, provides interesting gameplay mechanics. Controlled via the right stick, Faie can teleport and aid in dungeon exploration, making her one of the game's most innovative elements—despite her irritating personality.
Puzzle Design and Dungeons
Unlike Secret Of Mana, The Adventures Of Elliot includes proper puzzles. However, the dungeon design leans heavily on specific Zelda games, including a Water Temple equivalent and a light-reflection puzzle. The reviewer notes these are "difficult not to roll your eyes at," as they feel like direct copies rather than inspired homages.
The game's HD-2D visuals are praised as the best the style has ever looked, but the overall experience is marred by a lack of new ideas. The review concludes: "The most interesting thing about The Adventures Of Elliot is how perfectly it illustrates that new IP is not nearly as important as new ideas."
Verdict: A Disappointing Hotchpotch
In summary, The Adventures Of Elliot: The Millennium Tales is a disappointing mix of borrowed concepts that fails to add anything original. The combat is fun, and the customization options are robust, but the storytelling is a chore, the time-travel aspect is underutilized, and the nostalgia bait often feels identical to elements from older, better games. Priced at £54.99 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC, it may appeal to die-hard fans of the genre, but most players will find it generic.
