ANNO: Mutationem Reviews
Anno: Mutationem is a fun game with a few flaws. The fantastic presentation, enjoyable combat and interesting but off paced adventure is worth your time.
If you enjoy exploration and world building with a cyberpunky edge, you'll likely find ANNO to have some appeal
ANNO: Mutationem is a beautiful indie pixel art game coated with a sleek cyberpunk aesthetic. It features a story that comes off as a little too ambitious but its shortcomings are made up by a refreshing hybrid 2D/3D game style filled with organic exploration and visceral combat.
A game with an interesting visual and soundtrack that makes you want to play, the experience on the Switch deserves a positive note and we can count on a great indie game, different from what we are used to. The grade is less good for translation errors and some frame drops, on Nintendo Switch.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
An essential cyberpunk anime adventure oozing in charm
Anno starts rough, and that’s something you definitely need to know if you plan to dive in. Particularly story-wise, where it shoots off a firehose of ideas in an attempt to set up a core mystery. But if you’re able to stick through the first couple hours, things begin weaving together to create a much more graceful package. Aside from the graphics, I can’t say there’s any one aspect that the game particularly excels at. Taken as the sum of its parts, though, the developers at ThinkingStars have created quite an intriguing experience.
Anno: Mutationem is a great action RPG that can, and should, win over any player who wants to give its rich Cyberpunk world a chance. Even without shining so much, the combats work within their purpose and the narrative manages to deliver a thought-provoking story with charismatic characters and deep moments. The game's performance on Nintendo Switch isn't the best, but the game is still worth it as a whole.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
A cyberpunk world rendered with beautiful aesthetics pairs with simple gameplay for a stunning, albeit straightforward experience.
Explore the mean streets of Skopp City as Ann Flores, a lone-wolf combat specialist on a mission to find her missing brother. Sample the cyberpunk city life in 2D/3D exploration segments and fight off threats in an agile side-scrolling combat areas. Switch version reviewed.
ANNO: Mutationem is a solid game, definitely worth trying with a good 10 or more hours’ worth of story and action-packed gameplay. While there are a few things that could’ve been done better, the things it does do well are done incredibly well. The 2D side-scrolling action platform sections balance out the interesting, but confusing story and is more than enough to keep players engaged and help Ann Flores do whatever it takes to see things through to the end.
I fell in love with ANNO: Mutationem and outside of a few shortcomings, it was a very enjoyable experience! The game’s fantastic story, strong gameplay elements, and high production values meld together to make a game wholly unique from anything else I’ve played all year. Since the game’s initial launch, it has been released on more platforms since then, and I couldn’t be happier that more people are getting the chance to play it! If you’re a fan of action platformers, cyberpunk aesthetics, or a strong story with endearing characters, I can’t recommend this title highly enough! ANNO: Mutationem is a hidden gem in plain sight!
This first title from developer Thinking Stars is a mixed bag. Some of it works, while others don't. It's as though the game is only the beginning of something greater, like an anime pilot or a prequel to a novel. Its stunning 2.5D pixel graphics and deceptive depth get obscured by its overly complicated story and unpredictable course of Ann's journey.
While a convoluted storyline and ultimately straightforward gameplay keep it from rising too high, it’s nonetheless an intriguing game worthy of attention and well positioned to be expanded upon down the line.
So, is ANNO: Mutationem any good and worth playing. We’re going to say yes it is, despite some moments which don’t gel so well with the overall feel of the game. You do get your monies worth and the visuals are spectacular at times. If you like cyberpunk themes, then this ambitious game should be in your library.
Developer Thinking Stars have come out swinging with Anno: Mutationem, a lot of it works, and some of it not so much. The game feels like the first act of an anime series, or the first part of a bigger story. There is a tease that there could be more to come, but we’ll have to wait and see. As it stands now, Anno: Mutationem is a little rough around the edges, but despite its flaws, I kept going back to it and was endlessly impressed by its scope, ambition, and excellent combat.
Anno: Mutationem has some solid legs to stand on but it stumbles with its narrative at times and the combat paired with the cyberpunk aesthetic makes this a fun title.
ANNO: Mutationem is a beautiful game with good combat and decent story, marred by some unfortunate translation issues and story pacing.
I'd love a sequel to this from ThinkingStars that irons out some of the issues and continues to expand the world they've set up here. ANNO: Mutationem is a unique game that I appreciate for all its ideas and attempts to do something so large in scope.
ANNO: Mutationem is an exciting and welcome addition to the world of cyberpunk gaming. The amount it presents within the short timeframe is astonishing. There’s always something to keep you attentive, whether it be the gorgeous pixel art, the enjoyable boss fights, or the deep narrative. Yet, ANNO does well to not overstay its welcome and instead presents a beautiful experience that engulfs you into a different reality.
Long story short: I'd definitely recommend this beautiful and fine-playing 2.5D pixel-esque action title if you need a 2022-made cyberpunk-laden experience.