Arzette: The Jewel of Faramore

Arzette: The Jewel of Faramore is such an unjudgmental love letter to Link: The Faces of Evil and Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon. It’s a reminder that whether or not a game is good or bad isn’t the whole store. It’s more complex than that. The internet found legitimate entertainment in the CD-i Zelda games, and rather than write them off as ridiculous, Seedy Eye dug in and asked why. It found what was so compelling about those astounding failures and applied those lessons in a thoughtful and deliberate way. The result transcends its influences and takes on a life of its own.

Arzette is a tough game to criticise, because in many respects it has accomplished its mission. The commitment to the bit is admirable, and anyone who gets a kick out of those old CD-i titles will have a good time with this. However, if you're not in on the joke, this is harder to recommend; old fashioned design and uninteresting combat might be part of the brief, but they don't make for an exciting time in 2024. If you're willing to accept this game's warts-and-all approach, though, there's lots to like.

Arzette does a great job of aping the look and feel of the CD-i Zelda games, but it relies on the player being familiar with them. Without that knowledge, what remains is a perfectly serviceable platformer but one that isn't revolutionary in any way. If you're in on the joke, though, it's just about worth sticking around.

Arzette: The Jewel of Faramore is an applause-worthy commitment to the absurd idea of using the legacy of the CDi Zelda games to create something new and equally as interesting to look at.

Arzette: The Jewel of Faramore parodies a pair of uncanonical Zelda games while ensuring its experience is more than a one-note joke. The realization of these efforts makes for a good game, but one whose appeal may be limited. Still, the attention to detail here demands respect. How about following up on this release by mocking CD-i's top-down take, Zelda's Adventure, next?

Despite uneven gameplay, Arzette: The Jewel of Faramore still offers some unique features. Overall, the presentation is as retro as it gets, backed up by wacky characters and hilariously fun voice acting.

Arzette: The Jewel of Faramore is a bit lost. Its attempt to channel the energy of a certain duology of titles is too self-aware to resonate with its target audience. Meanwhile, those looking for a grand adventure won’t appreciate its gaudy design and plodding gameplay. As a result, this Philips CD-i tribute is only suited for a very specific few.

Arzette: The Jewel of Faramore fully grasps the style of the CD-i games with its art, music, and gameplay. There are minor flaws like becoming overpowered against enemies, but it’s worth adventuring for kicks. You can do it, princess!

Arzette: The Jewel of Faramore offers a unique experience that mixes nostalgia, humor and a creative approach in this homage to CD-i's controversial Zelda games. With its art direction faithful to the titles that inspired it, immersive soundtrack and more responsive controls, it is a welcome addition to the indie gaming universe, offering a fun and nostalgic experience for gamers who appreciate a creative and humorous approach of products based on the past.

Arzette: The Jewel of Faramore doesn’t quite reach the goofy highs of The Wand of Gamelon and The Faces of Evil, and its gameplay is still going to pale in comparison to modern platformers. But as a homage to the CD-i, it’s still full of charm (and actually decent to play, unlike the aforementioned games). If you go in knowing what to expect, then you’ll have a decent time