Exanima

Growing in 90's, I had an exceptional pleasure to experience the fastest and most spectacular technology advancement in video games. From naive graphics and primitive mechanics of Wolfenstein 3D (1992), through fast paced Doom/Duke Nukem (1993/1996), 3d rendered Quake (1996), narrative driven Thief/Half-Life (1998), to genre hybrids like System Shock 2 (1999) and Deus Ex (2000), it was really mind-boggling to think what the next month would bring for gamers around the world. Gaming industry was yet to go mainstream, and there was a healthy middle market, with average budget titles and lesser recognition, but it created perfect environment for game designers to experiment. One of such game was Raven Software Soldier of Fortune (2000). It featured innovative GHOUL system, which allowed player to cause a realistic body destruction, when dealing damage to enemies. While media focused on controversial violence depiction, customers cheered on the unrestrained gibbings, but what both sides failed to notice was that GHOUL was one of the most convincing means to suspend our disbelief, thus achieving greater IMMERSION. That immersion was in fact one of the main goals of the 90's technological progress in gaming industry. And then the progress stopped. While there was still increase in textures resolution and graphic details, a decade of plastic, artificial, "consolized" games begun. We were introduced to the reigns of shallow, eye candy worlds and gimmicky gameplays (hello Assassin Creed!). I remember thinking while playing Soldier of Fortune, that future games would soon become as immersive and tactile as David Cronenberg's movies, where you can almost feel the slimy texture under your skin, when every time you press the button you can see the physical impact in the unreal world. But nothing like that happened. Until 2015. Bare Mettle Entertainment released an early access game "Exanima", which looked on the screenshots like many other top down isometric RPGs. And finally I was blessed with my tactile experience, after I lost hope so many years ago. Every move of the mouse, rather than generating a prefigured character action, translates fluidly into corresponding move on the screen. It's really hard to describe, as you have to try it out, to feel the difference, but for me it all boils down to this one word: IMMERSION. I really do feel like I have a physical impact on the world again, there's no delay, no repetitive animation or "cinematic" QTE. I MOVE THINGS! I CAN PLAY WITH MY RAGDOLLS! A design philosophy so obvious and beautiful, that it is still inexplicable to me, why it takes a small, unknown studio to take this route, while every major AAA release with a budget of a small African country, follows stale and nauseating design patterns. On top of that, you have very grim (always welcomed), atmospheric, horrifying dungeons, intriguingly vague story-telling, and complex, realistic inventory management. There is also Arena, a game mode in itself worth your time, and what is more, we have a promise of a full, greater world of "Sui Generis", related game, based on the same design. As I already look like a perverted fetishist, I may as well admit, that so far, my only complain is that I would expect limbs and heads to be severed, when I struck them with a bigger blade, but I'm not sure if this will be possible with a limitations of an in game engine. The devs are very quiet, even though its almost three years now on Steam, and it almost looks like abandoned software, but I've read there is a major patch on its way, and the full release on the horizon. They stated that they wish to stay under radar, until the final product is ready, as it might do more harm than good to advertise unfinished game. It only increases my respect for them, as, same with the game itself, its truly against a common mainstream marketing practice, when every title is overhyped to the 11, then fails to deliver. It also shows confidence. To be honest, as much as I would love to get my hands on full release, at this point it almost doesn't matter to me that much, as "Exanima" gave me more content and sheer pleasure already, than most modern games. If they actually abandon this, the joke is not on me. I'm satiated, I just wish for more. If you came here expecting a proper review, I am sorry to disappoint you. It is not a review, it is a revelation, a recommendation, and a good news! There are still brave, innovative people in this industry. I hope the future belongs to them.

I found this fledgling game and read about its history, used to raise $ for their main game and I LOVE IT. This PREQUEL is awesome, engaging, and fun. The arena mode is great, the game is great. I can not wait for more! I have played through MANY times and it is fun every time! If you mess up in a fight, OUCH. Worth every $! The controls are so different and it makes the game great. Take time to learn them, you get the hang of them pretty quick, but get to cocky and you are taking a meat cleaver to the back of the head! I am buying copies of this game for my brother and several friends as their birthdays roll around! This indie game NEEDS to be supported! The team at Bare Mettle work constantly to make improvements and get it done right. Is Sui Generis delayed, yes. Has it taking longer to implement the ambitious list of features they want, yes. It is being perfected, done right, and done well. Not releasing trash, and then making a patch for half the game. They made a prequel, to fund it. I eagerly await all the features and the next game! Well done Bare Mettle.

The game looks nice, dark dungeon with lots of shadow play. But the whole moving and fighting system is based on physics and well...the physics is just awful Your character swings his sword like a drunken monkey. The sword keeps getting stuck against barrels, doors and walls. I like how the developers try to justify their broken and lame physic engine by saying that you need to practice to be able to play...

The gameplay is based on mastering a poor movement and overall bad game physics, which is kind of ironic as the physics aspect is the games selling point. Looks fun, but definitely isn't.

Most people discredit this must like DarkSouls when it came out for its "broken mechanics" I've never seen such WEAK gamers. If you are incapable of being patient enough to not only learn mechanics, but to search, you'll have a bad time. If you're some smooth brain that needs a diablo clone with constant bombardment of self gratification, this is not the game for you. If you enjoy deep mechanics, lore, and a dedicated team focused on delvering a fresh breath to this LITERAL crawling genre get this.