First Impressions: The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales Might Be the Gem Nintendo Needs
Nintendo’s July 31, 2025 Partner Direct landed with a bit of a thud. Coming on the heels of the Switch 2’s launch, expectations were sky-high…and arguably justified. Fans were hoping for a proper post-launch showcase that would shine a spotlight on heavy hitters. A release date for Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment? Maybe a teaser for Elden Ring or other major third-party titles? Instead, the Direct felt more like a holding pattern than a forward leap.
But amidst the collective shrug, one title that managed to rise above the noise was The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales.
Developed by Square Enix and featuring their now-signature HD-2D aesthetic, Elliot feels like the studio’s most ambitious departure with the style to date. Known for applying the look to turn-based RPGs like Octopath Traveler, Triangle Strategy, and Live A Live, Square Enix is finally stretching its legs - this time into the realm of action RPGs. If you're a fan of Secret of Mana, Secret of Evermore, or even early Zelda, you'll feel right at home.
In the demo now available on the Nintendo eShop, you step into the boots of Elliot, a confident, red-garbed adventurer tasked with exploring mysterious ruins near the edge of the human kingdom of Huther. He’s accompanied by a spirited fairy named Faie, and the two of them make for a pretty solid duo as they set out on their fraught adventure. You see, the world of Philabieldia (born and raised…) is home to a variety of beast tribes jockeying for power, but this slice of the game focuses more on exploration than politics. After about 30-45 minutes with the demo, I’m happy to report that Square Enix is onto something special.
The HD-2D aesthetic truly shines here. From vibrant green hills to shadowy ruins and the flickering torches lining underground corridors, every screen feels alive. It’s more than just nostalgia—this feels like what our 16-bit memories always wanted to look like. That alone makes it a compelling case for HD-2D’s expansion beyond the realm of turn-based games.
Elliot’s starter toolkit is modest but fun to use. Sword and shield form the core, with timed blocks adding a bit of nuance. You also get a choice between bombs and arrows as your secondary weapon. The bombs are perfect for Zelda-style wall busting or secret hunting, and while the arrows offer ranged flexibility, I found the targeting a bit clunky. I expect that will get smoothed out before launch. I was also pleasantly surprised with the use of Faie. Oftentimes the secondary/support character can be more of a nuisance than an aid, but Faie’s ability to support with dashing, navigating around the map, even getting a quick hit in on enemies, made the thought of spending dozens of hours with her a bit more palatable.
Combat on the whole is engaging, and the standard difficulty definitely hits a sweet spot in terms of challenge. I will say the boss of the demo had a bit of a difficulty spike, but it was good to see the kinds of mechanics that would be expected to be seen in future boss fights.
We didn’t get to test the full arsenal, but the trailer hints at up to seven different weapon types: an axe, a chain & sickle, and more, which should offer plenty of room for experimentation. Another standout system is the use of magicite: collectible stones slotted into your gear that offer attack or defense enhancements. It’s simple enough to grasp quickly, but clearly deep enough to play with over time.
One of my favorite things about the demo? It doesn’t overcomplicate. Too many action RPGs bury their gameplay under layers of crafting, cooking, and min-maxing minutiae. Elliot keeps it lean - for now, at least. The systems on display are elegant and purposeful, and they don’t require a deep dive into spreadsheets or encyclopedias to enjoy.
All told, The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales might not salvage an otherwise underwhelming showcase, but it does remind us that Square Enix knows how to tap into its roots while still moving forward. This debut demo is short, sweet, and bursting with potential. If you’ve been craving a classic-style action RPG with modern polish, don’t sleep on this one. Try the demo - you might just discover your next obsession.
