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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchArise: A Simple Story is a story-led platform adventure about an old man revisiting the defining moments of his life. Its time-manipulation puzzles and expressive presentation make it appealing if you value atmosphere and emotional storytelling, though camera behavior and some jumps can frustrate. It has no combat, and Epic’s Windows listing says a second player can join in local co-op.
What is Arise: A Simple Story?
Developed by Piccolo Studio, Arise: A Simple Story combines platforming, environmental puzzles, and a narrative told through memories. Steam describes it as an emotional journey in which you manipulate time to solve puzzles. The framing follows an old man who, after his cremation, awakens in an afterlife and revisits important moments from childhood to old age, including his relationship with his future spouse. Steam’s listing names Untold Tales as publisher.
Time manipulation is also the central way you interact with each level: shifting time changes the environment and can open a route through an obstacle. The story’s concerns include love, family, aging, death, memory, and loss.
How does it play?
Time puzzles and platforming
The main loop asks you to move through a landscape, adjust time, and use the changed conditions to progress. Common Sense Media describes the puzzles as generally approachable, and the Washington Post’s Christopher Byrd called it “an accessible, mostly satisfying platformer that’s filled with easily readable symbolism.” Its simple forms and striking colors help convey the story without relying heavily on explanation.
#1 Best Overall
- 🎮【2 Packing】Two controllers are packaged in one box, which is less costly than buying two controllers separately. You can get two different custom designed controllers at the same time, which is very cost-effective.This will bring you a better game experience when you play with your friends, lover, family.
- 🎮【Wide Compatibility】AceGamer wireless controller compatible with PS4/Pro/Slim/Windows PC. ❗*Attention*❗: Only when connecting for the first time, you must activate the device with the USB cable for the first pairing and connection. After that, the normal wireless connection of Bluetooth can be made, and USB data cable is no longer needed. ❗*Note*❗: Connecting to PC(without Bluetooth) needs to install receiver, not included.
- 🎮【Function Highlights】360° Refined analog sticks, the new touch pad on the face of the game controller offer players precise control. Controller which built-in 6-axis gyro sensor has dual motor vibration, excellent dual shock effect design makes the tactile sense more sensitive. The optimized buttons and triggers, ergonomic design non-slip grips, which offer you fantastic gaming experience.
- 🎮【Turbo Setting】You can customize any key as a turbo key. First, hold down the 'share' key, then click the turbo key you want to set up successfully. Secondly, you can adjust the turbo frequency. First, hold down the 'share' key, then touch the joystick on the right up and down. There are three gears to adjust in total.
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Movement and difficulty
This is not a combat game, but it is not free of failure: falls and other environmental hazards can kill the character. Common Sense Media notes that movement challenges and camera behavior can be frustrating, with some later platforming sections proving more demanding. Generous checkpoints soften the impact of mistakes, but players who dislike imprecise jumps or camera-led navigation should factor that in.
What do reviews say about Arise?
Reviewers highlighted the game’s emotional story, visual presentation, and music, while some also pointed to weaknesses in the platforming. Epic’s store page reproduces critic excerpts: God is a Geek’s Chris Hyde praised its visuals, sounds, and engaging story; PC Invasion’s Steven Wong praised the story, graphics, and score but said gameplay can sometimes work against itself; and Game Informer’s Matt Miller characterized the journey as emotionally fraught while noting occasional questionable jumping sequences. These are excerpts displayed by Epic, not independently checked reviews from those publications.
Rank #2
- Precision Control: The feel, shape, and sensitivity of the DualShock 4’s analog sticks and trigger buttons have been enhanced to offer players absolute control for all games on PlayStation 4.
- Sharing at your Fingertips: The addition of the Share button makes sharing your greatest gaming moments as easy as a push of a button. Upload gameplay videos and screenshots directly from your system or live-stream your gameplay, all without disturbing the game in progress.
- New ways to Play: Revolutionary features like the touch pad, integrated light bar, and built-in speaker offer exciting new ways to experience and interact with your games and its 3.5mm audio jack offers a practical personal audio solution for gamers who want to listen to their games in private.
- Charge Efficiently: The DualShock 4 Wireless Controller can easily be recharged by plugging it into your PlayStation 4 system, even when on standby, or with any standard charger with a micro-USB port.
The available score snapshots are positive, but they come from separate services and should not be treated as one combined rating:
| Source | Displayed reception | Snapshot qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Steam | 91% positive from 883 English reviews | Listing snapshot returned October 7, 2026; review totals and percentages can change. |
| Epic Games Store | 4.8 player rating; 81% critics recommend; 82 top critic average | Listing snapshot returned October 7, 2026. The critic figures are presented through Epic’s OpenCritic display; ratings use distinct contexts. |
Can you play Arise: A Simple Story in co-op?
Epic’s Windows listing says a second player can join to help control time. That supports local two-player participation on the listed PC version; it does not establish that co-op is available or works identically on every console edition. If co-op is important, check the listing for the specific platform you plan to use.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsRank #3
- 🎮【Kind Remind】- Fully compatible with PS4/PS4 pro/Slim. USB wired connection supports PC(Windows 7/8/10/11). With this controller, you can enjoy games in multiple platforms. (Note: you need to activate device with the USB cable in the package for the first connection.)
- 🎮【Support for Built-in Vibration Function】 The game controller has two built-in motion motors, which give you different intensity feedback and a more realistic game experience.
- 🎮【New Way to Play】- The clickable touch pad and integrated light bar offer you a new way to play games. Additionally, 3.5mm audio jack supports compatible headphone.You can enjoy volume controls located directly on the controller and don’t need to worry about disturbing others.is optimized with excellent dual analog gamepad design.
- 🎮【Upgraded Version】- The buttons are with high sensitivity and provide an accurate gaming experience. The layout of controller buttons is optimized with excellent dual analog gamepad design.
- 🎮【Customer Service】- We have a reliable after-sale service team. If you have any problems with the product once it arrives or if you have any questions about the product, please do not hesitate to contact our customer service team via Amazon e-mail.
Does it need a controller?
Steam marks a controller as the recommended input for the PC version. That is a recommendation, not evidence that a controller is mandatory. A compatible controller is worth considering for platforming, particularly if you plan to play with a second person; confirm compatibility with your platform rather than assuming a specific model works.
Platforms, release dates, and editions
Storefront release dates differ by platform: Steam lists the PC release as December 3, 2020, while Epic lists the Windows release as December 3, 2019. These are platform-specific listing dates, not a single universal release date. Common Sense Media lists PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One, but the information available here does not establish current availability or feature parity across console editions.
Rank #4
- The feel, shape, and sensitivity of the dual analog sticks and trigger buttons have been improved to provide a greater sense of control, no matter what you play.Motion sensors - Rock and roll as a highly sensitive built-in accelerometer and gyroscope detect the motion, tilt and rotation of your DUALSHOCK 4 wireless controllerDualShock 4 Wireless Controller PS4 and PC compatible. Item PS5 compatible only when playing PS4 games.
- The new multi touch and clickable touch pad on the face of the DualShock 4 Wireless Controller opens up worlds of new gameplay possibilities for both newcomers and veteran gamers
- The DualShock 4 Wireless Controller features a built in speaker and stereo headset jack, putting several new audio options in the player's hands
- The Dualshock 4 wireless controller can be easily recharged by plugging it into your PlayStation 4 system, even when in rest mode, or with any standard charger using a USB cable (type A to micro B sold separately)
Steam lists a Deluxe Bundle that includes the game, digital soundtrack, and artbook. The cited store information does not establish physical editions or physical extras.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is Arise: A Simple Story worth playing?
It is a good fit if you want a compact, emotionally focused adventure where environmental puzzles and platforming serve the story. Its strongest draw is the combination of life-spanning memories, visual storytelling, and music. It is a less certain choice if camera behavior or occasional awkward jumps are deal-breakers for you. The positive Steam and Epic snapshots support a favorable overall reception, but individual enjoyment will depend on how much you value the narrative and atmosphere over polished platforming.
Best Value
- 🎮【Attention】It's compatible with PS4/Pro/Slim/Windows PC. When you are connecting it to game console for the first time, you need to use the charge cable in the package. When you are connecting it to PC, you need to hold down 'share + home' for 3 seconds. The controller's white light would flash, and you'll see the controller on your PC, which has the BT name 'wireless controller'.
- 🎮【Unique Design】The Galaxy design is inspired by the designer's love for the vast universe, different colors of nebulae accompanied by meteorites, if you use it at night, with a little light, then, you are not only holding the controller, but the whole universe.
- 🎮【Custom Process】The galaxy design are printed on the controller shell by water transfer process. They are not cheap stickers. We apply a smooth hand feel oil to the surface to ensure that hand sweat will not erode it.
- 🎮【Turbo Function】You can customize any key as a turbo key. First, hold down the 'share' key, then click the turbo key you want to set up successfully. Secondly, you can adjust the turbo frequency. First, hold down the 'share' key, then touch the joystick on the right up and down. There are three gears to adjust in total.
- 🎮【To Be AceGamer】You Can Get：1x Controller for PS4;1x USB-C Charge Cable;1x User Manual. AceGamer specializes in providing customized controllers for game lovers. No matter what problem you encounter, please leave us a message, we will reply to you within 24 hours.
Is it suitable for children?
Common Sense Media recommends the game for ages 10 and up, citing themes of death and the afterlife and noting that there is no combat. The character can still die from environmental hazards. That age recommendation is Common Sense Media’s judgment, not an official rating applicable to every platform or region; parents should consider a child’s comfort with the subject matter and peril.
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