Anima Flux – Dual Perspective Review

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• DEVELOPER: Anima Flux
• PUBLISHER: Anima Flux
• PLATFORMS: PC
• GENRE: Co-Op Metroidvania
• RELEASE DATE: October 7, 2024
• INITIAL PRICE: 19.50€
• REVIEWED VERSION: PC

We have been following the development of Anima Flux for several months now. Earlier this year, we had the opportunity to speak with one of the developers at Nordic Game Spring and try out a new demo. In fact, we really liked the demo, which kept the game on our radar for a long time. Anima Flux combines the familiar elements of Metroidvania and platforming games, with the addition of co-op gameplay, allowing you to play with friends or family.

However, the co-op feature in the full version turned out to be quite disappointing. The demo did not fully showcase how this aspect would function, and the level design paired with the gameplay, especially in the early stages, was at times frustrating. Despite this, the dystopian space city, futuristic atmosphere, and stunning animations and cutscenes remained as impressive as before.

Content

Aleksandra: The enemies and bosses are diverse, and each of them has its unique mechanics. While it’s quite fun to defeat them, I didn’t like the idea that common enemies reappear every time we leave their area. But I did enjoy the platforming parts and exploring new sections of the space ark. Although we sometimes had to take a longer route to get to our destination, it was fun looking for new tunnels and entrances.

Ivan: There’s a lot to explore in Anima Flux. The game isn’t just about being heroes, you’ll encounter a variety of main and side missions, each rewarding in its own way. On your journey, you will meet numerous characters who add depth to the story. Additionally, there are many skills and modifications you can unlock to advance the gameplay and open up new mechanics after defeating bosses, which brings a feeling of gradual progression. The ability to switch between single-player and multiplayer modes adds flexibility, which is a well-executed feature.

Graphics

Aleksandra: Anima Flux definitely nailed the cosmic and dystopian atmosphere with its art style. We are surrounded by advanced technology and nasty mutants that have a retro sci-fi design. The short animated cutscenes are really smooth and detailed, and the overall aesthetic creates a dark and mysterious atmosphere. The world of Anima Flux is shrouded in mystery and danger, making it intriguing to uncover.

Ivan: Although many areas feel similar, and at times I felt like I was passing through the same tunnel multiple times, there is enough variety in certain stages and biomes, like the sewers, which introduce different atmospheres and dynamic colors. The graphics are excellent, and the music is particularly well-executed, a part of the game that certainly doesn’t disappoint. Anima Flux excellently captures the futuristic ambiance, and the visual impressiveness won’t leave you indifferent.

Multiplayer and Single-Player

Ivan: The game only supports local co-op and requires Steam Remote Play for online multiplayer, which can be frustrating due to its unreliability. The multiplayer and single-player modes differ significantly: in single-player, enemies ignore the AI partner, which feels like cheating. In multiplayer, enemies target the players, and if a friend completely dies, they cannot be revived without reaching a healing hub, which makes the solo game even harder. Without strong teamwork, the game can quickly become too difficult, especially due to some poorly designed elements.

Aleksandra: This game is definitely meant for two players, it’s more fun to invite a friend than to switch between two characters. You can revive each other during battles and advance to different locations faster. While co-op makes more sense for the story, I agree that the entire experience becomes more challenging, you are constantly under attack and cannot simply ignore the threats lurking around every corner, as is possible in single-player.

Gameplay

Aleksandra: The platforming and combat elements are pretty simple and straightforward. I have to admit I often took damage because my attacks took too long to charge, so I couldn’t escape. Another thing is that skills unlock quite late, we only got the dash and special attacks after quite a few battles, and getting them earlier would have made the gameplay much more optimized. It’s also quite easy to get lost because certain areas look similar, and the map doesn’t always make navigation easy. In short: the gameplay is okay, although there are ideas that are underdeveloped and could make the game more fun.

There are several ways to approach platforming, including typical jumping, moving between platforms, and reaching new areas. You can also use the dash to access certain spots, use a powerful slam to break the ground, or use the archer to break barriers and advance. The game offers varied options, but they only become available after you complete certain stages.

Ivan: The swordsman feels weak, especially in the early stages of the game. The archer, on the other hand, has a strong passive dash for evasion and a powerful rage ability, which makes multiplayer easier for her. In contrast, the swordsman lacks defensive options like blocking or dashing, relying on a slow-charging stun, which makes survival difficult. You often feel like a punching bag until you defeat bosses and unlock more content. Multiplayer also seems less balanced compared to single-player.

Fast travel options help with map navigation, and you will often return to the hub to upgrade skills. However, the game lacks guidance after some missions, and the map legends are not helpful, meaning you can miss some things. The gameplay is well-designed with varied attacks and abilities, although overcrowded enemy encounters can be frustrating. Once you understand the mechanics, it becomes more fun, especially with the platforming elements that add excitement to the exploration.

Conclusion

What really stood out to us were the speedrun elements. Anima Flux isn’t just a platformer or a metroidvania; it encourages experimentation. With various skills, modifications, and approaches to solving puzzles, the game offers a fresh co-op experience. However, the single-player mode was much better, as navigation was easier, the AI only took damage when in the line of fire, and it knew how to defeat bosses.

Although the game is fun, we would not recommend the multiplayer. The gameplay is generally solid, but the early stages need more refinement, as they seem tedious compared to the more interesting later content. The map could also be more useful. The story isn’t particularly interesting, with a few somewhat awkward moments and pointless dialogues, but games like this tend to focus more on gameplay than narrative. Anima Flux follows this trend, and while it’s still not perfect, it’s worth the asking price.

You can find Anima Flux on Steam.

Review copy provided by the publisher

3.8