Soul Axiom Reviews
Wales Interactive clearly has great ideas, but Soul Axiom shows that the company needs to focus a little more on execution to make sure that they unlock their true potential for the public.
Environmentally diverse, and largely consistent in the quality of its conundrums, Soul Axiom is an imperfect but distinct first-person puzzler.
There's a lot going on around a game that doesn't really have a lot going on in it. At its core Soul Axiom is a first person puzzler with a minimalist look and feel and mostly underwhelming puzzles. While the game won't really draw you into its narrative or challenge your abilities, it does provide a pleasant stroll through an imaginary world. You don't have to play this game, but if you want to sit back and have someone walk you through a tale while having to pencil in a few puzzles along the way, then Wales Interactive have a story at the ready. It won't blow you away, but you should be entertained enough to appreciate the effort.
Souls Axiom is an interesting title. It explores an unconventional concept to that of most games, and the puzzles are challenging and vary in design. The story is unique but it can be difficult to follow at first as you will become confused by the unusual cutscenes that play at the end of each level. If you persevere with the game, though, it is a rewarding experience that will offer you plenty of content. Collectables don't feel tacked on and they actually help to enrich the game's plot, something that is certainly a blessing with this one. Whether you're after a new puzzle title to get your brain whirring, or an indie game that doesn't possess a pixelated 2D artstyle, Soul Axiom may be worth a look.
Simplistic and often jarring its intended design may seem, Soul Axiom is a game that requires, as much cunningly desires, the player's warranted need to look beyond the surface that's initially presented.
In conclusion then, Soul Axiom is a slow burning game, but one that satisfies if you engage with the world and its lore. The pacing won't be to everyone's liking, as it isn't a fast paced, reaction based experience, but it is compelling more because of this than in spite of it. Add to this the numerous monkeys to be found, as well as three possible endings and the game has more longevity than the average puzzler. If you fancy having your grey matter teased, you could do a lot worse than this.
It's simple, but simplicity can be handled in a classy way and I think that Soul Axiom does a great job with something pretty barebones
Soul Axiom is a relaxed, creative, puzzle-drive storyteller. It is a great addition to the world created in Master Reboot. What it lacks in visual appeal, it makes up for in soul. Avoid if you need action and play if you need a kickback-and-play title with a hearty story.
With interesting ideas and settings, Soul Axiom doesn't manage to have a narrative compelling enough. The puzzles, whereas integrated with the environment, feel contrived, and parts of the universe are too disjointed to make sense. It'll make you think, though, although sometimes with pain.
Some souls are not worth saving.
The game is rugged in some departments and a little less ambitious than I had previously thought it would be, but Soul Axiom is still a well put together and intriguing experience. It's a cool world filled with sparkly tech surroundings, a multitude of far ranging level environments and some really enjoyable puzzle solving.
Here's hoping Wales Interactive are able to keep working on Soul Axiom, because these game-breaking bugs are holding back a game that's otherwise creative, intriguing, and utterly gorgeous.
Despite an impressive variety in art direction and environments, Soul Axiom's puzzle design is shallow and frustrating.
Soul Axiom has some really interesting parts, but its whole is still something left to be desired.
Wales Interactive's Tron-like puzzle game has great atmosphere, a compelling setting, and an engaging concept – but it's ultimately not that interesting to play. The story lacks pace and substance, while the puzzles are lacking in difficulty and nuance – especially given that the powers used to solve them quickly become tiresome.
Certain sections of Soul Axiom are as memorable as Wales Interactive would like them to be. Unfortunately, however, these moments are buried under a lacklustre and confusing storyline and simplistically dull puzzles.
Soul Axiom has some strong points to make it potentially enticing for eShop enthusiasts; it works hard to deliver an interesting narrative, there are plenty of hours of play, and it's atmospheric and intriguing at times. There are downsides though, with performance and puzzle design often middling and sometimes poor, which both drag the experience back somewhat. Perhaps worth a punt - at a budget price - for fans of first-person puzzles, but Soul Axiom sadly doesn't deliver to its full potential.
Soul Axiom initially holds promise, but design flaws, a convoluted narrative, and constant guesswork make the puzzles feel arbitrary rather than rewarding.
There's around 20-30 hours' worth of content on offer, but the lengthy load times and boring puzzles make it feel like such a slog that after 10 or so your interest wanes