ANNO: Mutationem Reviews
There's surprising scope in the game — you can dismantle items to get materials, which you can then combine into new weapon modules. There are side missions and mini-games, like serving cocktails to earn money. It's also kind-of open world, albeit a very small one. While the ambition is admirable, overall we feel the game comes across as quite unfocused. It's an enjoyable experience, and everything here is reasonably good, but the result is a game that doesn't really shine, save for its rainy, neon-infused aesthetic.
As it stands, this is a tough one to recommend as long as the bugs persist, but it may be worth checking out after a patch or two to resolve the more blatant issues.
While countless other titles have pursued these same issues in today’s crowded cyberpunk market, Anno: Mutationem’s remarkably realized world and heart-pounding gameplay let it deliver something unique.
Fascinating cyberpunk and SCP world awaits you. It is not big but all the elements in the game is almost best: Gorgeous graphics well mixing pixel and 3D, Psychedelic & futuristic sounds, rapid combo & parrying actions with simple controls, and thrilling adventures in cyberpunk style cities & secret labs. If later part and final chapter had been more polished, it would have been nominated indie GOTY.
Review in Korean | Read full review
ANNO: Mutationem is an audacious title that successfully merges genres. While the 3D segments aren’t as tight as its 2D counterpart, the originality shines through making this a fresh adventure. The gorgeous environment is full of character and is a joy to inhabit. However, the delivery of the narrative lacks the nuances to fully immerse. With its solid action gameplay and exciting bosses, fans of the genre will have a blast in this futuristic, cyberpunk escapade.
As a cyberpunk adventure Anno: Mutationem lacks much coherent or satisfying plot but its responsive combat will stand out and entertain through its short playtime. It’s just a shame the overall package doesn’t live up to the promise of those stylish trailers.
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.
With a variety of gameplay, a story with twists and turns, and natural and fluid combat, it presents us with a cyberpunk world that is worth savoring.
Review in Chinese | Read full review
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.
ANNO: Mutationem is an enjoyable cyberpunk adventure with enough confident swagger to distract from its shortcomings.
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!
While Anno: Mutationem sports an interesting art direction, the disjointed story and uneven combat make this game hard to recommend.
ANNO: Mutationem is an extremely fascinating project, divided between the freedom of its open map structure and the direct simplicity of its 2D action sections.
Review in Italian | Read full review
ANNO: Mutationem is a gorgeous-looking, original indie title that, while bearing issues with the narrative design, is a display of promising potential for developer ThinkingStars.
Punchy, side-scrolling combat and a richly realized, anime-inspired world make Anno: Mutationem a blast, but the script is a bit rusty.
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 a grave disappointment. The initial premise, stylish ambiance and cool presentation promise a stellar indie action-adventure game. Sadly, it is a hopelessly sloppy game with terrible localization; often on-screen text does not match character dialogue.
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.
With the game’s ending hinting at a possible sequel, Mutationem stands as a messy first draft. If a follow-up does come, I hope ThinkingStars’ will have the confidence to boldly stand and tell its own unique story rather than remain so shackled to its inspirations.