AereA is a music-themed action RPG available on PS4 and PS5. Players take on the role of a disciple of Great Maestro Guido and set out across the fragmented floating island of Aezir to recover nine primordial instruments that hold the world in balance.
Gameplay
The core loop centers on exploration across multiple islands with varied biomes, where players complete quests, solve environmental puzzles, and engage in real-time combat. Movement and attacks follow an isometric perspective, with each of the four characters wielding a distinct instrument as a weapon. Jacques uses his cello as a shield paired with a bow for melee strikes. Wolff fires energy arrows from a harp. Jules casts spells through a large lute. Claude dual-wields trumpets for projectile attacks. Special abilities consume rhythm points and become available through progression.
Character and instrument experience points accumulate separately during play. Leveling unlocks skills and allows allocation of tuning points to attributes such as attack power, vitality, and accuracy. Music sheets collected in the field further customize abilities. Enemies range from common foes to larger instrument-themed creatures, and each of the nine bosses draws direct inspiration from a specific musical instrument in both design and accompanying audio cues. Local co-op supports up to four players who can join or leave sessions at any time, with shared progression and the ability to revive allies using items.
Game Modes
The experience revolves around a single-player story campaign that players can tackle alone or with friends in local co-op. Sessions begin in a central hub area before traveling by airship to individual island stages. Each stage involves traversing maps to fulfill objectives, clear enemy encounters, activate switches or music boxes for progression, and ultimately confront a boss. The structure repeats across nine instrument-linked areas, with randomized elements such as spawn points and item placements on return visits to previously cleared maps. No separate competitive or endless modes exist beyond this cooperative story framework.
Story and Setting
Aezir once floated intact under the protection of nine primordial instruments created by Great Maestro Guido. After an event known as the Great Separation, the island broke apart and the instruments vanished. Players explore the resulting fragments while uncovering details about the theft and the forces behind it. Dialogue and quest text guide the narrative through a hub concert hall and the scattered islands, with a talking parrot companion providing occasional direction. The world emphasizes musical motifs in enemy designs, environmental details, and the overall aesthetic.
Visuals, Audio, and Progression
Hand-drawn art gives the islands and characters a colorful, stylized appearance that highlights musical themes. The soundtrack features original orchestral pieces that shift to reflect each area and boss encounter. Progression feels steady through quest completion and item collection, though the 2026 console versions include rebalancing to enemy encounters, boss fights, and character growth for improved pacing and challenge compared with the original release.
Is It Worth Playing?
AereA suits players who enjoy straightforward action RPG combat paired with a distinctive music motif and local multiplayer sessions. The four character classes offer clear playstyle differences that shine most when friends join for co-op runs. Recent ports to PS5 and other modern platforms added refinements that address some earlier balance concerns, making the campaign more engaging for those interested in the concept. Reception has remained mixed due to repetitive quest patterns and simpler enemy AI, yet the hand-drawn style and soundtrack continue to stand out. Those seeking a light, thematic dungeon-crawler experience with couch co-op will find the most value here, especially if the musical theme appeals. The game runs on PS4 and PS5 with the updated version available on the latter.
