The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales is a single-player action RPG developed by Square Enix. It blends real-time combat with exploration across multiple time periods on an untamed continent. Players control Elliot as he uncovers the world's history through time travel, using a fairy companion and customizable weapons to navigate dungeons, solve environmental puzzles, and battle enemies.
Gameplay
Combat takes place in real time and centers on seven weapon types, including swords for close-range strikes, bows for distance attacks, and chains or sickles that can pull foes closer. Each weapon supports customization through the Magicite system, where crystals provide stat boosts such as increased attack power or functional changes like adding extra hits to nearby targets with a bow. Magicite can be swapped during combat for flexible builds.
Exploration involves platforming sections that require jumping, cutting through grass or bushes, and interacting with objects like pots. A fairy named Faie travels alongside Elliot and can be directed with the right stick to attack independently or activate abilities such as Sprint, which generates wind to propel both characters forward quickly, or Warp, which relocates Elliot to her position. These tools aid both traversal and combat encounters.
Progression comes from leveling, upgrading weapons and Magicite, and completing side content like optional dungeons and character-driven quests. The HD-2D visual style renders environments and characters with layered pixel art that emphasizes depth during movement and battles.
Game Modes
The core experience revolves around a linear story campaign that advances through time periods, revealing changes in the world and its inhabitants. Players move between eras to open new paths, revisit locations with altered layouts or events, and pursue the central narrative involving Elliot's journey.
Within the campaign, gameplay alternates between open exploration of the continent, structured dungeon runs filled with enemies and puzzles, and boss encounters that test weapon mastery and Magicite combinations. Side quests provide additional objectives tied to supporting characters and hidden collectibles, extending playtime without altering the single-player focus.
Local co-operative play supports up to two players on compatible platforms for shared sessions, though the primary design remains a solo adventure centered on discovery and combat.
Story and Setting
The narrative follows Elliot as he travels through time to piece together the continent's past. Different eras present distinct versions of the same areas, encouraging backtracking to uncover new routes or items. The fairy Faie serves as both a mechanical aid and a narrative presence during these travels.
World design emphasizes verticality and interconnected spaces that reward careful observation. Time-based shifts introduce variety in enemy placements and environmental interactions, though some areas retain similar structures across periods.
Is It Worth Playing?
Reception highlights the satisfying combat loop, strong visual presentation in HD-2D, and meaningful progression through Magicite experimentation. Reviewers note engaging boss fights and a charming cast as standout elements for fans of action-adventure RPGs with light Zelda influences.
Some players mention repetitive environments across time periods and a Magicite system that could benefit from greater depth as areas for improvement. The game launched in June 2026 and runs at stable frame rates on Xbox Series consoles and PC, with support for higher resolutions and refresh rates on capable hardware.
It suits players who enjoy real-time action combat paired with exploration and light customization. Those seeking a focused single-player campaign with platforming and strategic weapon use will find the most value, especially if they appreciate the distinctive art direction from the developers of Octopath Traveler.