Ariana and the Elder Codex

Ariana and the Elder Codex
DeveloperHyde
Publishers
DirectorAoki Hiroshi
Platforms
ReleaseSwitch, PS4, PS5
  • JP: 21 August 2025
  • WW: 24 March 2026
Windows
  • WW: 29 April 2026
iOS, Android
  • NA: 22 July 2026
GenreAction role-playing
ModeSingle-player

Ariana and the Elder Codex[a] is an action role-playing game developed by Hyde and published by Compile Heart and Idea Factory International. It was released for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5 on 21 August 2025. In the game, Ariana must repair the Seven Hero Codices and restore magic to the world.

Gameplay

Ariana and the Elder Codex is an action role-playing game with Metroidvania elements.[1][2] The player controls Ariana, who primarily fights with a host of magic spells. When spells are cast against an enemy for certain times, the enemy becomes stunned, allowing Ariana to attack them with high damage.[1]

Development and release

Developer Hyde is based in Tokyo.[3] Ariana and the Elder Codex was directed by Aoki Hiroshi, who developed Rune Factory 5, Rune Factory 4 Special, Dariusburst, and Psychic Force.[4] The game was developed for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch.[5]

The game was first revealed in January 2025 in the latest issue of Weekly Famitsu.[4] It was one of the seven titles included in Compile Heart's 2025 lineup.[6] It was released by Compile Heart on 21 August 2025 in Japan.[7] Idea Factory International published the international release on 24 March 2026. The console versions were available both physically and digitally.[8][9][10] The Windows version was released via Steam on 29 April.[11] The game was released through the Crunchyroll Game Vault service for Android and iOS on 22 July.[12][13]

Reception

According to review aggregator Metacritic, Ariana and the Elder Codex received "mixed or average" reviews for the PlayStation 5 version, and "generally favorable" reviews for the Nintendo Switch version.[14][15] 56% of the critics recommended the game according to OpenCritic.

The Famitsu reviewers rated the game 31 out of 40.[17]

Notes

  1. ↑ Japanese: 魔法司書アリアナ 七英傑の書, Hepburn: Mahou Shisho Ariana ~Shichi Eiketsu no Sho~; Magical Librarian Ariana: The Books of the Seven Heroes
  2. ↑ Based on 27 reviews

References

  1. 1 2 McClain, Jordan (16 March 2026). "Ariana and the Elder Codex Demo Impression". RPGamer. Retrieved 1 April 2026.
  2. 1 2 Lada, Jenni (28 March 2026). "Review: Ariana and the Elder Codex Can Be a Magical Metroidvania". Siliconera. Retrieved 1 April 2026.
  3. ↑ Leone, Matt (September 30, 2015). "The secret developers of the video game industry". Polygon. Retrieved April 3, 2026.
  4. 1 2 Romano, Sal (29 January 2025). "Compile Heart announces side-scrolling action RPG Magical Librarian Ariana: The Book of Seven Heroes for PS5, PS4, and Switch". Gematsu. Archived from the original on 8 July 2025. Retrieved 20 January 2026.
  5. ↑ Romano, Sal (23 April 2025). "Magical Librarian Ariana: The Books of the Seven Heroes first details, screenshots". Gematsu. Archived from the original on 2 August 2025. Retrieved 20 January 2026.
  6. ↑ Romano, Sal (29 January 2025). "Compile Heart 2025 lineup trailer". Gematsu. Archived from the original on 30 January 2025. Retrieved 20 January 2026.
  7. ↑ Fuller, Alex (19 May 2025). "Magical Librarian Ariana: The Books of the Seven Heroes Gets August Japanese Date". RPGamer. Retrieved 20 January 2026.
  8. ↑ Madnani, Mikhail (22 January 2026). "Ariana and the Elder Codex story trailer released, physical pre-order bonus bookmark revealed". RPG Site. Archived from the original on 4 February 2026. Retrieved 20 January 2026.
  9. ↑ Romano, Sal (16 December 2025). "Ariana and the Elder Codex launches March 24, 2026 in the west for PS5, PS4, and Switch; in spring 2026 for PC". Gematsu. Archived from the original on 1 January 2026. Retrieved 20 January 2026.
  10. ↑ Lindsay. "IFI announces a March 2026 launch date for Ariana and the Elder Codex". Digitally Downloaded. Archived from the original on 3 January 2026. Retrieved 20 January 2026.
  11. ↑ Romano, Sal (10 March 2025). "Ariana and the Elder Codex for PC launches April 29". Gematsu. Retrieved 1 April 2026.
  12. ↑ Luster, Joseph. "Crunchyroll Game Vault: Every Game You Can Play Right Now". Crunchyroll News. Retrieved 2026-07-23.
  13. ↑ "Crunchyroll Games: Play Free-to-Play and Game Vault Anime-Inspired Games". Crunchyroll. Retrieved 2026-07-23.
  14. 1 2 "Ariana and the Elder Codex critic reviews - Metacritic (PlayStation 5)". Metacritic. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
  15. 1 2 "Ariana and the Elder Codex critic reviews - Metacritic (Nintendo Switch)". Metacritic. Retrieved 1 April 2026.
  16. ↑ "Ariana and the Elder Codex". OpenCritic. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  17. 1 2 Romano, Sal (6 August 2025). "Famitsu Review Scores: Issue 1910". Gematsu. Retrieved 20 January 2026.
  18. ↑ McClain, Jordan (16 March 2026). "Ariana and the Elder Codex Review". RPGamer. Retrieved 1 April 2026.
  19. ↑ Sainsbury, Matt (24 March 2026). "Review: Ariana and the Elder Codex (Sony PlayStation 5)". Digitally Downloaded. Retrieved 1 April 2026.
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