Ariana and the Elder Codex: Reviving Magic Begins

Scheduled for release on April 29, 2026, on the Steam platform, Ariana and the Elder Codex is a rather interesting project from publisher Idea Factory International and familiar names like Compile Heart and HYDE (the team behind Digimon Survive).

A Perfect Combination of Action RPG and Metroidvania.

Ariana and the Elder Codex is an action role-playing game that features side-scrolling and Metroidvania elements, developed by Idea Factory, Compile Heart, and HYDE, Inc. The game is expected to be released on PC (Steam) on April 29, 2026; prior to this, the game was launched on PS4, PS5, and Nintendo Switch in March 2026.

In Ariana and the Elder Codex, you will take on the role of Ariana, a librarian at a magical library, living in a world facing peril as magic disappears because the "Seven Hero Codices" have had their contents altered by villains. Ariana possesses the special ability to travel inside the pages of books to fight, correct errors, and restore magical power to the world.

The game features highly distinctive gameplay with a diverse magic system. With over 30 types of spells and skills for players to unlock, you can equip up to 6 skills at once to create combos that suit your combat style. Each spell has a cooldown period instead of a traditional mana bar.

It doesn't stop there; as you repair the ancient codices, they will grant you new powers. These can be used to access previously blocked areas. The game also adds a feature related to Repair Points, which involve platforming and combat challenges. The faster you complete them, the more permanent rewards you receive. These can include improvements such as increasing your health bar (HP).

Also, the game features some original visual elements. For example, Ariana's dress will change color depending on the magical attribute (Fire, Water, Wind, Light) she is currently using.

Currently, the console versions of the game have received fairly good scores (around 74-79/100 on Metacritic). Review outlets like Famitsu gave it a 31/40, praising the excellent voice acting and the "satisfying" action gameplay.

If you enjoy games with lighthearted yet deep storylines, combined with fast-paced action and cute anime visuals, then this is definitely a name worth adding to your Steam wishlist! Remember to use our comparison tool to purchase Ariana and the Elder Codex at the best price.