Arise + What Lies in the Multiverse Bundle

Genre: Compilation / 3D Platformer / Puzzle-Platformer

Players: 1-2 Co-Op (Local)

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Review:

(Note: Review codes for both games in this bundle were previously provided by the kind folks at Untold Tales)

Arise + What Lies in the Multiverse Bundle, released on Nintendo Switch in 2022, is naturally a Compilation of the two named games in the title, both released separately on the Nintendo Switch in 2022.

I have previously reviewed both of these games. Here is what I thought of each of the games in this collection:

Game	Genre	# of Players	Grade
Arise: A Simple Story – Definitive Edition	3D Platformer / Puzzle-Platformer	1-2 Co-Op (Local)	B+
tl;dr Arise is a 3D Platformer with Puzzle-Platformer elements where players can fast forward and rewind the flow of time to solve puzzles. The platforming isn’t very good, and the puzzles aren’t especially difficult, but that’s also not really the point – this game is all about delivering a beautiful audiovisual experience that takes you through a journey of an old man looking back on the events of his life. In that regard, this is a wonderful, moving experience that should not be missed.
What Lies in the Multiverse	Puzzle-Platformer	1	B-
tl;dr What Lies in the Multiverse is a Puzzle-Platformer where players shift between multiple realities to get past obstacles and solve puzzles. The platforming here isn’t great, but the puzzle design is excellent, and the characters and story are wonderful, giving off a Rick and Morty vibe. If you’re a fan of Puzzle-Platformers, this one is well worth getting.

These two games are stylistically and tonally very different – Arise is quiet and contemplative with some beautiful abstract 3D visuals, while What Lies in the Multiverse is quirky and funny with a lot of focus on character within the game’s 2D pixel art style. However, the two games aren’t entirely dissimilar – both games have a focus on puzzle-solving, with pretty good puzzles, too. That’s a good thing, because both games also aren’t great when it comes to the Platforming stuff.

And both games are also pretty good too, though I would argue that Arise is the better game between the two. What Lies in the Multiverse was nominated for both Best Puzzle Game and Best New Character (Everett) in the eShopperReviews 2022 Game Awards, and Arise may well have earned nominations as well if it wasn’t disqualified for its original release on other platforms coming out in 2019. In short, there’s a lot of quality in this bundle.

The only problem with this bundle? It just isn’t a great value. At $34.99, this game costs a penny more than buying these two games separately. You’re not saving anything by buying both games together, so you really shouldn’t, unless you happen to catch this bundle in a good sale.

Now, if you can get a good sale price for Arise + What Lies in the Multiverse Bundle, this pair of games has a lot of great gameplay and story that fans of Puzzle games would do well to check out, and while the two games have some similarities, they’re different enough to offer a fairly diverse experience. Just do yourself a favor and don’t buy this bundle at full price – if you’re thinking of doing that, just buy both games separately.

tl;dr – Arise + What Lies in the Multiverse Bundle is a Compilation of the two titular games, both very different kinds of Puzzle-Platformers, but both quite good in their own way. Really, the problem with this bundle isn’t the quality of the content, but the price – at $35, it’s technically slightly more expensive than buying both games separately. With this being the case, while I do recommend both games, I recommend buying them separately, at least unless you get this bundle on sale at a good price.

Grade: B-

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