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The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales – A Game We Can’t Stop Thinking About

Originally posted on Total Apex Gaming | By Mollie Dominy | Last updated Jul 31, 2025 8:37 PM ET

Imagine this: you’re armed with a bow, a sword, and a weirdly satisfying chain-and-sickle combo. Your fairy buddy, Faie, zips around helping you smash pots like it’s going out of style. Welcome to The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales, where action-packed chaos meets eye-popping HD-2D graphics. Announced at the Nintendo Partner Direct to the kind of thrilled whispers usually reserved for surprise concert encores, this Square Enix gem is shaping up to be the action RPG we didn’t know we were missing.

But wait, it gets better. There’s a demo. A demo, people. Which means you don’t have to wait until 2026 to see what all the buzz is about. Fire up your Nintendo Switch 2, or just light up your browser thanks to Steam, and get ready to deep-dive into one of the most anticipated mixed-pixel adventures since… well, probably anything else Team Asano has lovingly crafted.

What’s the Big Deal About The Adventures of Elliot?

First off, we need to talk about the setting. Philabieldia isn’t just another generic fantasy backdrop. It’s got grassy plains, dark caves, imposing ruins, and enough unexplored swamps to make an ogre cry from joy. Humanity’s last stronghold, the Kingdom of Huther, throws you a mission so seemingly standard (“go check out those ruins, Elliot”) that you just know it’s going to spiral into some epic, time-bending, reality-shattering saga. Because when has Square Enix ever kept things simple?

Then there’s our main dude, Elliot. This guy wields seven weapon types like he’s auditioning for a reality show called World’s Deadliest Warrior. Need a ranged attack? Grab a bow. Cramped quarters? Bust out a sword. Feeling fancy? Swing around that chain and sickle like you’re starring in an underground ninja flick. Oh, and the best part? You can slap on magicite. Think special upgrades that don’t just boost stats but sometimes straight-up change how a weapon functions. “Linked Arrows,” anyone? Two-hit attacks that make you feel like Hawkeye just landed in a Final Fantasy crossover. Sign us up.

A Fairy Companion Who Isn’t Just Comic Relief

Video of The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales, Courtesy of Nintendo of America

On to Faie, the trusty fairy sidekick. Usually, fairies in fantasy games flap about, saying vaguely useful things like “watch out!” or “that door looks suspicious.” But not Faie. This pixie’s got moves. Whether she’s zipping around smashing up jars for loot (hello, Zelda vibes) or sharing her Sprint Ability so Elliot can blaze a trail forward, Faie feels like more than just background decoration. She’s a legit co-op-ready, dual-player-enabled character that might even upstage Elliot in some playthroughs. High bar set, Faie. No pressure.

The Demo You Need in Your Life (Right Now!)

Fine, so we’re saying all this, and you’re thinking, “Guys, is the game even playable yet?” Oh, it so is. The debut demo is live and ready for download right now on the Nintendo eShop. You’re welcome. What’s in the demo, you ask? Uh, dungeons, deadly swamps, secret treasure routes, and even some ridiculous item called an Explosive Brooch that turns pretty much anything you lob into a grenade. Throw boxes. Throw jars. Throw grass if you can rip it out of the ground. It’s glorious chaos.

Also, keep an eye out for the Shrines of Life. Think of them as those ridiculously tough side quests you secretly love but also yell at when they make you cry. Gear up, explore, and prepare to rage a little when something pops out of nowhere. Trust us, the loot will be worth it. Probably. Maybe. Okay, no promises, but it’s a demo. What have you got to lose?

Why Should You Care? (Besides the Fact That It Looks Amazing)

What really seals the deal for The Adventures of Elliot is the craftsmanship behind it. Team Asano (of Octopath Traveler and Bravely Default fame, for the three of you unfamiliar) knows what they’re doing. They’ve ditched the usual turn-based formula for something more action-packed, but still retained that sweet HD-2D aesthetic we ultimately didn’t know we’d love this much. This game isn’t just about looking pretty; it’s delivering gameplay that feels both nostalgic and fresh.

Plus, there’s something deeply satisfying about smashing every vase you see while wielding weapons tricked out with magic buffs. Add in a story that promises to bend time and space, and you’ve got yourself a recipe for an all-nighter, fueled by way too much coffee and the vague promise of “just 10 more minutes.”

This article first appeared on Total Apex Gaming and was syndicated with permission.

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