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About Once Glorious Artahk
Once Glorious Artahk is a first-person adventure game set in the crumbling ruins of an ancient city. Developed by Bismuth Tales and released on November 18, 2025, it’s a solo journey where you navigate decaying architecture, solve environmental puzzles, and piece together fragmented lore through scattered stories. The game leans heavily on atmospheric exploration, with a torch in hand to light the way through shadowy corridors. Its core hook is figuring out a mystery about restoring light to a starless sky. It’s a slow-burn title for players who enjoy quiet, methodical discovery over action-packed set pieces.
Gameplay
You move through interconnected ruins, using your torch to reveal hidden pathways and solve light-based puzzles. Each area requires manipulating objects, rotating mirrors, activating ancient machinery, or aligning symbols, to unlock progress. The puzzles escalate from simple mechanics to multi-step challenges tied to story revelations. Reading the lore you uncover is key; forgotten texts hint at the city’s downfall and your role in fixing it. Controls are basic but responsive, with a focus on interaction and observation. Sessions often involve backtracking after gaining new abilities, and the lack of combat means every action centers on curiosity and problem-solving.
What Players Think
PlayPile users rate it 4.2/5, with 87% completing the game. Average playtime is 9 hours, though 25% hit 15+ hours. Community moods skew toward curiosity (68%) and awe (54%), with determination as a secondary trait. Critic reviews praise its “hauntingly beautiful world” and “puzzles that feel like a dialogue with the past.” However, 18% of players mention early frustration with obtuse hints. The game has 50+ achievements; the first 10 take 3.5 hours to unlock, and 22% of players have 100% completion. Steam users call it “a thinking person’s puzzle game,” though some note pacing dips in mid-game sections.
PlayPile's Take
Once Glorious Artahk is a $29.99 indie title that rewards patience and attention to detail. Its achievements add meaningful depth, but it’s not a game for casual playthroughs, it demands time and focus. Puzzle enthusiasts and fans of narrative-driven exploration will find it satisfying, but those seeking fast action or multiplayer should look elsewhere. With strong replayability for its lore and mechanics, it’s a solid pick for a meditative, story-rich experience.
Game Modes
Single player
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