Ariana and the Elder Codex - PS5 Review

A charming, spell‑slinging metroidvania with a bookish twist, Ariana and the Elder Codex blends light platforming, brisk combat, and a surprisingly cosy magical‑librarian fantasy. It’s not the deepest or most technically ambitious PS5 release, but it’s a warm, mechanically satisfying adventure with a clear identity and a steady sense of progression.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsnHM8sy2fE

There’s something instantly appealing about the premise: magic has vanished because the Seven Hero Codices, essentially magical storybooks have been damaged. Ariana, a young Librarian with the rare ability to physically enter these tomes, becomes the world’s last hope of restoring magic by repairing each book from the inside out.

It’s a clever framing device. Each Codex becomes its own self‑contained world, and the Library acts as a hub that slowly reveals its own mysteries. The narrative isn’t heavy, but it’s earnest, whimsical, and delivered with a sincerity that fits the “lost magic” theme. Ariana herself is a likeable protagonist who is determined, curious, and just a little overwhelmed by the scale of her task.

The core loop is classic metroidvania: explore, unlock new abilities, backtrack, and push deeper into each Codex. But instead of the usual melee‑focused toolkit, Ariana and the Elder Codex leans into spell‑based combat and mobility.

You gradually unlock 30+ spells and abilities, and the game encourages experimentation by letting you equip six at a time. Some are straightforward like fireballs, shields, dashes, while others are more situational, like elemental boosts or utility spells that open new traversal routes. The joy comes from mixing and matching until you find a loadout that feels like your version of Ariana.

Combat is snappy and readable, with enemies telegraphing attacks clearly. Bosses are the highlight: big, magical guardians with patterns that test both your spell choices and your platforming timing. They’re not punishing, but they’re satisfying and more “learn the dance” than “bash your head against a wall.”

Each Codex contains Repair Points, which act as mini‑challenge rooms. These are short bursts of platforming, combat, or both, and clearing them quickly rewards permanent HP boosts and other upgrades. They’re optional, but skipping them makes the late‑game noticeably tougher.

These challenges give the game its rhythm. You explore, find a Repair Point, dive into a tight, focused test of skill, then pop back out stronger. It’s a loop that feels good in the hands and keeps the pacing brisk.

Beyond spells, you can craft and equip Magic Items that tweak Ariana’s stats, crit boosts, elemental resistances, reduced knockback, and so on. It’s not a deep RPG system, but it adds just enough flavour to let you tailor your approach. Players who enjoy tinkering will find a lot to play with; players who don’t can ignore most of it and still have a smooth ride.

Visually, the game sits in that “stylised indie” space. It's clean, colourful, and readable rather than technically flashy. Each Codex has its own aesthetic theme, and while environments can feel a little samey within a single book, the overall art direction is charming.

The game’s biggest limitation is ambition. It’s a solid metroidvania, but it rarely surprises. Level layouts are competent rather than memorable, and the story while sweet, never digs deep into its themes. Some players may also find the early hours a touch slow before the spell variety opens up. Still, the consistency and clarity of design make it an easy game to settle into.

Pros

• Charming magical‑librarian premise with a cosy tone

• 30+ spells allow for fun experimentation and custom builds

• Satisfying boss fights with clear patterns

• Repair Points add great pacing and rewarding challenge bursts

• Smooth PS5 performance and quick loading

Cons

• Level design is solid but rarely standout

• Story stays surface‑level

• Early game pacing can feel slow before abilities unlock

• Visual variety within each Codex can be limited

Ariana and the Elder Codex is a warm, mechanically satisfying metroidvania that doesn’t reinvent the genre but delivers a consistently enjoyable adventure. If you like spell‑based combat, gentle fantasy worlds, and the pleasure of gradually unlocking a character’s full potential, this is a lovely one to curl up with.

XPN Rating: 3.5 out of 5 (SILVER)

Ariana and the Elder Codex is available now!