The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales Critic Reviews: Strengths, Weaknesses & Verdict

Square Enix and Claytechworks' latest HD-2D title, The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales, arrives on June 18, 2026, for Nintendo Switch 2, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The embargo lifted on June 17, and the critical picture is now clear: this is a fun, beautifully crafted adventure that action-RPG fans will likely enjoy, even if its narrative and structure don't match the high bar set by its combat and exploration.

The game currently sits in the 89th percentile on OpenCritic, with individual scores spanning from 75/100 to 90/100 . The early Metacritic aggregate hovers around 79–80, driven by a handful of mid-range scores alongside more enthusiastic reviews .

What Critics Are Saying: The Review Scores

A wide range of outlets have weighed in. Here is how the major reviews break down:

• Famitsu awarded a 34/40 (8/8/9/8), placing it in the "strong but not a must-buy" tier. The magazine highlighted the fun real-time weapon swapping and the curved "rolling" HD-2D background effect .
• Vice called it "Square Enix's best original IP in years," a perfect blend of classic Zelda and Final Fantasy Adventure with a mind-bending time-travel mechanic. The verdict was a 9/10 .
• Temple of Geek gave it an 8/10, describing the roughly 20-hour adventure as "one of the year's best games" that carries Final Fantasy Adventure DNA forward with modern mechanics .
• Gamereactor scored it a 7/10 across its network, praising the "solid combat system, great mandatory dungeons, and excellent bosses" but criticizing the "paper-thin" plot and four virtually identical eras .
• IGN Japan gave it a 70/100, landing on the lower end of the review spectrum .
• Kotaku did not assign a score but listed "fun combat, open-ended exploration, exactly the right amount of collectibles, and a fun upgrade system" among its likes. Dislikes included a "safe story, one-note characters, predictable conclusion, and an annoying fairy" companion .
• GamesRadar described the experience as "expansive without being intimidating, varied without being overwhelming, and familiar without being tired" .

The Biggest Strengths

Excellent Real-Time Combat

The combat system is the game's centerpiece. Reviewers consistently highlight the real-time weapon swapping and the shield mechanic, which together create a fast, satisfying loop. Boss fights and mandatory dungeons are widely described as excellent and a clear high point .

Tight Pacing and Approachable Exploration

The world is open-ended and non-linear, but with a "just-right" amount of collectibles and a satisfying upgrade system that never feels bloated. Bleacher Report noted the game is "simple enough for younger audiences, but with some pretty sneaky depth for those who care to try harder difficulties" . The roughly 20-hour runtime ensures a well-paced journey that doesn't overstay its welcome .

A Stunning HD-2D Showcase

Square Enix's HD-2D engine continues to impress. The curved "rolling" background effect gives the classic top-down perspective a striking sense of vertical depth, earning specific praise from Famitsu and other outlets . This is widely considered one of the best-looking entries in the HD-2D lineup yet.

Where It Falls Short

A Paper-Thin Narrative

The story is routinely cited as the weakest link. Kotaku explicitly listed "safe story" and "one-note characters" among its dislikes, while Gamereactor called the plot "paper-thin" . The consensus is that the narrative simply doesn't rise to meet the gameplay's quality.

Repetitive Time-Travel World Design

Despite the central time-travel mechanic, the four different eras you visit are described as "virtually identical" by Gamereactor, making the core concept feel underutilized. The publication called the overall structure "bizarre," and a lack of sufficient puzzles in some areas compounds the feeling of missed potential .

Uneven Difficulty and Confusing Endings

Some reviewers note difficulty spikes that can feel uneven. One video review also calls out the game's three endings, describing one as "horrendously unsatisfying," a second as a happy ending that provides no real answers, and a true ending that is "stupidly hard to unlock" .

Verdict: Is It Worth Playing?

The critical consensus lands on a clear, if qualified, recommendation. The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales does not reach masterpiece status, but it succeeds where it matters most for its target audience. Its excellent combat, exploration, and HD-2D artistry carry a title whose narrative and world design don't match the gameplay highs. As one review summarized, it is "a great imperfect adventure" — an uneven but ultimately satisfying title that action-RPG fans, especially those with a fondness for classic Zelda and Final Fantasy Adventure, will find deeply enjoyable despite its rough edges .