Ariana and the Elder Codex
Is an action role-playing game developed by Hyde and published by Compile Heart and Idea Factory International. It was released for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5 on 21 August 2025. In the game, Ariana must repair the Seven Hero Codices and restore magic to the world.
Also recorded as Mahou Shishō Ariana: Nana Eiketsu no Sho · Mahou Shisho Ariana: Nana Eiketsu no Sho · Magical Librarian Ariana: The Book of Seven Heroes
Ariana and the Elder Codex
- Date
- 2025
- Language
- Japanese
- Genre
- action role-playing game · side-scrolling video game · Metroidvania
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Documentary summary
Is an action role-playing game developed by Hyde and published by Compile Heart and Idea Factory International. It was released for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5 on 21 August 2025. In the game, Ariana must repair the Seven Hero Codices and restore magic to the world.
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Authority files
wikidata · Q131952222 · wikipedia · Ariana and the Elder Codex
In this article
Key facts
Key facts
• Title — Ariana and the Elder Codex • Developer — Hyde • Publisher — * Compile Heart • Idea Factory International • Platforms — * Nintendo Switch • PlayStation 4 • PlayStation 5 • Windows • Released — Switch, PS4, PS5'Windows29 April 2026iOS, Android22 July 2026 • Genre — Action role-playing • Modes — Single-player • Director — Aoki Hiroshi
Gameplay
Gameplay
Ariana and the Elder Codex is an action role-playing game with Metroidvania elements. The player controls Ariana, who primarily fights with a host of magic spells. When spells are cast against an enemy for certain times, the enemy becomes stunned, allowing Ariana to attack them with high damage.
Development and release
Development and release
Developer Hyde is based in Tokyo. Ariana and the Elder Codex was directed by Aoki Hiroshi, who developed Rune Factory 5, Rune Factory 4 Special, Dariusburst, and Psychic Force. The game was developed for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch. The game was first revealed in January 2025 in the latest issue of Weekly Famitsu. It was one of the seven titles included in Compile Heart's 2025 lineup. It was released by Compile Heart on 21 August 2025 in Japan. Idea Factory International published the international release on 24 March 2026. The console versions were available both physically and digitally. The Windows version was released via Steam on 29 April. The game was released through the Crunchyroll Game Vault service for Android and iOS on 22 July.
Places
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Places
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- Japan
Reception
According to review aggregator Metacritic, Ariana and the Elder Codex received "mixed or average" reviews for the PlayStation 5 version, and "generally favorable" reviews for the Nintendo Switch version. 56% of the critics recommended the game according to OpenCritic. The Famitsu reviewers rated the game 31 out of 40.
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Leone, Matt. The secret developers of the video game industry. Polygon. September 30, 2015.
- 2.Luster, Joseph. Crunchyroll Game Vault: Every Game You Can Play Right Now. Crunchyroll News.
- 3.Crunchyroll Games: Play Free-to-Play and Game Vault Anime-Inspired Games. Crunchyroll.
- 4.Ariana and the Elder Codex. OpenCritic.
- 5.Romano, Sal. Compile Heart announces side-scrolling action RPG Magical Librarian Ariana: The Book of Seven Heroes for PS5, PS4, and Switch. Gematsu. 29 January 2025.
- 6.Romano, Sal. Magical Librarian Ariana: The Books of the Seven Heroes first details, screenshots. Gematsu. 23 April 2025.
- 7.Romano, Sal. Ariana and the Elder Codex launches March 24, 2026 in the west for PS5, PS4, and Switch; in spring 2026 for PC. Gematsu. 16 December 2025.
- 8.Romano, Sal. Ariana and the Elder Codex for PC launches April 29. Gematsu. 10 March 2025.
- 9.Romano, Sal. Compile Heart 2025 lineup trailer. Gematsu. 29 January 2025.
- 10.Romano, Sal. Famitsu Review Scores: Issue 1910. Gematsu. 6 August 2025.
- 11.Fuller, Alex. Magical Librarian Ariana: The Books of the Seven Heroes Gets August Japanese Date. RPGamer. 19 May 2025.
- 12.Madnani, Mikhail. Ariana and the Elder Codex story trailer released, physical pre-order bonus bookmark revealed. RPG Site. 22 January 2026.
- 13.Lindsay. IFI announces a March 2026 launch date for Ariana and the Elder Codex. Digitally Downloaded.
- 14.McClain, Jordan. Ariana and the Elder Codex Demo Impression. RPGamer. 16 March 2026.
- 15.Ariana and the Elder Codex critic reviews - Metacritic (PlayStation 5). Metacritic.
- 16.Ariana and the Elder Codex critic reviews - Metacritic (Nintendo Switch). Metacritic.
- 17.McClain, Jordan. Ariana and the Elder Codex Review. RPGamer. 16 March 2026.
- 18.Lada, Jenni. Review: Ariana and the Elder Codex Can Be a Magical Metroidvania. Siliconera. 28 March 2026.
- 19.Sainsbury, Matt. Review: Ariana and the Elder Codex (Sony PlayStation 5). Digitally Downloaded. 24 March 2026.
References
Citations
References
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Secondary witness
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 18 August 2026.
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