Trollhunters: Defenders of Arcadia

A bland and borderline soulless game meant for people like me who really love Trollhunters, all for a bit of casual short fun

Trollhunters: Defenders of Arcadia, developed by WayForward and published by Outright Games Ltd., is a side-scrolling action platformer that attempts to capture the spirit and charm of the Trollhunters animated series while delivering an approachable adventure aimed primarily at younger audiences. The game follows Jim Lake Jr. as he becomes entangled in a time-bending threat orchestrated by Porgon the Trickster Troll, a mischievous villain whose antics create a narrative excuse for hopping between eras and revisiting familiar environments from the show. From the outset, the game positions itself as a streamlined, family-friendly experience rather than a complex or demanding action title, leaning on recognizable characters, colorful environments, and light combat to carry the journey.
Gameplay in Defenders of Arcadia is built around simple, accessible mechanics. You run, jump, and strike enemies in classic platformer fashion, occasionally unlocking additional moves such as ranged attacks or special abilities to help navigate levels. Each stage introduces mild platforming elements and enemy encounters, but the challenge remains forgiving throughout. The levels are mostly linear, asking you to move steadily forward while dispatching foes or collecting coins, armor upgrades, and minor secrets tucked into corners. Combat consists largely of button-mashing until enemies fall, with little pressure to dodge, time attacks, or strategize, which makes the game ideal for newcomers but less satisfying for seasoned players seeking depth or finesse.
While the mechanics are basic, the presentation is earnest in its attempt to recreate the visual language of the show. The character models replicate the animated style, and the levels draw inspiration from settings fans will immediately recognize—from Arcadia Oaks’ streets to mystical underground caverns. The game’s music and voice acting, where present, help reinforce the connection to the source material, giving the adventure the comforting feel of an extended episode. At the same time, the overall visual execution is modest; backgrounds and effects are functional but lack the polish and liveliness of higher-budget adaptations. Still, the game preserves the tone and energy of the Trollhunters universe well enough to satisfy players who simply want to revisit the world in game form.
One of the game’s more appealing features is its local co-op mode, which allows a second player to join as Claire Nuñez. This addition elevates the experience significantly for families or siblings playing together, offering a cooperative dimension that suits the show’s ensemble feel. Co-op doesn’t dramatically alter gameplay, but it adds camaraderie and makes the adventure more enjoyable, especially for younger players who may find comfort in tackling levels with a partner.
However, the game’s limitations become clear as you progress. The level design, while serviceable, lacks variety and creativity, often defaulting to straightforward layouts with only minimal platforming challenges. Collectibles and upgrades exist, but their impact on gameplay is minimal, and they do little to encourage replay or exploration. Technical issues—such as inconsistent hitboxes, awkward collision detection, and occasional bugs—further disrupt the experience and undermine any sense of flow during combat or platforming sections. These problems aren’t catastrophic but become noticeable in a game that already leans heavily on simplicity.
Narratively, Defenders of Arcadia provides a light extension of the show’s story rather than a standalone tale with meaningful emotional stakes. Fans will appreciate familiar faces and references, but the plot is presented briskly and lacks the depth, character growth, and nuance of the series. For players unfamiliar with the animated universe, the story may feel shallow, assuming prior attachment to its characters and themes without offering much in the way of introduction or exposition.
Ultimately, Trollhunters: Defenders of Arcadia succeeds most as an accessible, family-friendly introduction to action platformers and as a tie-in experience for young fans of the series. It is not designed to push boundaries in level design, challenge, or storytelling; rather, it offers a gentle adventure that can be completed without frustration. Adults or experienced gamers may find it too straightforward, too repetitive, or underdeveloped to hold their interest, but children or Trollhunters enthusiasts will likely enjoy its colorful worlds, cooperative play, and lighthearted pacing.
In short, this is a game built for a specific audience—one that values comfort, familiarity, and simplicity over depth or innovation. When approached with those expectations in mind, Trollhunters: Defenders of Arcadia delivers a pleasant, if modest, journey through the world of Arcadia that echoes the charm of the series while remaining easy enough for nearly any player to enjoy.
Rating: 7/10

Haven't finished the game yet, but it's a simple yet very cute platformer, love the graphics! I am not very good at platformers and I am glad that this one is not very punishing for a million mistakes, also love the Trollhunters vibe, was a fan of the series. My only gripe would be wonky/glitchy controls and sometimes bugs, like a Gunmar fight didn't trigger after the scene and I had to hard quit and resume, or a platform wouldn't go back. Ah, another thing, it kinda lacks gameplay tips and help, like I had no idea what to do with spikey platforms and would never guess you gotta hit them with a throwing knife to turn them upside down, thank god there is at least one youtube walkthrough to check otherwise I'd quit.

not the best game by any means but I'm loving it
although I wish we could play as Troll Jim more

Happy to see Angor Rot's alive and you can recruit him.

Its ok, but sth is missing.

If you like trollhunters and gaming then buy this