ANNO: Mutationem Reviews
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 is a brief-yet-solid cyberpunk adventure game with robust RPG elements.
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.
With extraordinary Cyberpunk world design that sucks you in from the very first moment, unique mixture of 2D and 3D gameplay, gorgeous art style, deep and diverse gameplay and exiting boss fights, ANNO: Mutationem is a true gem that is not appreciated enough, and it will not disappoint if you give it a try.
Review in Persian | Read full review
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.
I really did want to enjoy Ann’s story, it’s visually beautiful and has some clever little in-game tricks to its aesthetics. It’s just a damn shame the narrative couldn’t quite keep up, leaving ANNO: Mutationem a visually stunning but muddled, confusing game.
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.
ANNO: Mutationem had a lot of promise, but ended up spread far too thin. Both the exploration and combat lack any sort of depth, the story is nonsensical, and the sprite work looks ugly in motion.
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.
ANNO: Mutationem's sublime blending of 2D and 3D visuals is a delight to behold and a joy to experience. Fast-paced combat and competent RPG systems all deliver so, as long as you can accept the incomprehensible plot and naff dialogue, there's a lot to enjoy.
I was intrigued by ANNO: Mutationem when it came to other platforms earlier this year, and the Switch version seems to largely offer the same experience but with added portability. Its interesting story and decent challenge, in addition to some compelling world building make a strong case for adding the game to your digital library; a free eShop demo is also available for those who want to dip their toes in first. If you can stomach the miniscule text size and a somewhat flat middle portion of the story, ANNO: Mutationem offers an enjoyable and brisk cyberpunk-flavored adventure.
ANNO: Muatationem tells a strong tale with its core mystery, strengthened by beautiful visuals and satisfying combat. While its inspirations are a little on-the-nose, developer ThinkingStars manages to carve out its own space in the Cyberpunk genre. Some long loads and minor balancing issues take the shine off a little, but it's still an incredibly impressive effort from a small indie team who has created a world that feels as immersive as any £60 AAA RPG.
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.
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.
If you enjoy exploration and world building with a cyberpunky edge, you'll likely find ANNO to have some appeal
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.
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
A cyberpunk world rendered with beautiful aesthetics pairs with simple gameplay for a stunning, albeit straightforward 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
An essential cyberpunk anime adventure oozing in charm