Square Enix’s New Retro Zelda-Like: Is The Adventures of Elliot 2026’s Best RPG Yet?

If you grew up loving the classic pixel-art era of gaming—especially the top-down Zelda titles—Square Enix’s latest release might just be your new obsession. While the publisher is renowned for applying its stunning HD-2D engine to turn-based RPGs like Octopath Traveler and Triangle Strategy, they have finally ventured into the action-adventure space.

Released on June 18, 2026, for the Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales asks a simple but tantalizing question: What if Square Enix made A Link to the Past?

Here’s a deep dive into whether this modern-retro hybrid lives up to the hype and claims the crown for 2026.

A “Link” to the Pasts

Developed by Team Asano and Claytechworks (Creative Studio 5) on Unreal Engine 5, The Adventures of Elliot takes place in the beast-tribe-overrun continent of Philabieldia—a name that already spawned hilarious “Philadelphia” memes during its initial 2025 Nintendo Direct reveal.

You play as Elliot, an adventurous hero clad in red, accompanied by a slightly amnesiac fairy named Faie. Tasked by the king to explore newly discovered ruins outside humanity’s last bastion, the Kingdom of Huther, your routine quest quickly escalates. With the help of Princess Heuria and an artifact known as the Doorway of Time, Elliot’s journey transcends space and time to save the world.

Real-Time Crystal Combat

If you expected a traditional turn-based RPG, think again. The Adventures of Elliot ditches the party system for real-time action combat.

• Weapon Variety: You can instantly swap between seven different weapon types (like swords, bows, chains, and sickles), assigning two at a time for quick access via a seamless radial menu.
• The Magicite System: This is where the RPG elements shine. Instead of standard leveling, you enhance your weapons by socketing “Magicite” fragments found in chests or crafted from enemy drops. The combinations are lethal—for instance, pairing a Fire Shot Magicite with an Explosion Magicite on your bow turns burning targets into living bombs.
• Dynamic Defense & Co-Op: You can parry enemy attacks with your shield to open them up for critical hits. If you aren’t playing solo, a second player can drop into co-op mode to control Faie, assisting with magic spells, stunning enemies, or snagging out-of-reach items.

The HD-2D World and Time Travel

Square Enix’s trademark HD-2D art style remains breathtaking. Locations like the drooping indigo leaves of Grandree, the Mount Phoenix volcano, and the grand city of Weyzn pop beautifully against the game’s challenging boss sprites.

As a time-travel game, you’ll explore different epochs—from the ancient sands of the Age of Budding to the Age of Reconstruction. While it’s exciting to see a thriving location turn to ruins in the future, some critics have noted that the time travel doesn’t drastically alter the enemies or surrounding wilderness as much as it could. You’ll often find yourself fighting the same slugs and rat people regardless of the century.

However, exploring the map is highly rewarding, packed with platforming challenges, puzzles requiring bombs and hovering, and hidden shrines.

The Verdict: 2026’s Best?

Boasting an 86% recommendation rating on OpenCritic, The Adventures of Elliot is a triumph for fans of classic action-adventure.

Is it a traditional RPG? Not quite. It leans heavily into its Zelda inspirations—complete with fire, water, and forest dungeons—but its incredibly tight combat, build-customization through Magicite, and multiple emotional endings give it a distinct Square Enix flavor. While hardcore puzzle-solvers might find its dungeons on the simpler side, the massive replayability (taking around 14 hours for the first ending and another 10 to see them all), flexible difficulty, and gorgeous aesthetic make it an absolute must-play for 2026.

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Sources & Author Report: This article incorporates information and critical perspectives directly quoted and summarized from Scott White at IGN, as well as curated aggregate data from Wikipedia contributors (which references industry outlets like RPG Site, Noisy Pixel, TheGamer, and Screen Rant).