As the title suggests, this is a tentative review since the product is still in early access, so some issues that currently exist (typos, text allignment, missing content/mechanics, etc.) I'm holding off on until the game actually goes gold. All that being said, even if this was the final version of the game I would say it is a pretty solid title. It's a rogue-lite RPG that combines some elements of old Windows 98 adventure games, with an aesthetic and style meant to emulate the works of HP Lovecraft and Junji Ito. Right now, the primary gameplay loop is that you pick one of several pre-defined characters, and in essence need to make it the end of the game to stop an evil Elder God from being summoned (the god in question varying from run to run) In between this time you are tasked with solving five different and randomly generated ysteries currently plauging your town, all while trying to balance your Health, your Sanity, and your time before the Elder God is summoned. The aesthetic and presentation definitely sell the game, but what actually has me stick around is how surprisngly simple yet satisfying the gameplay loop is. Trying out all the different characters, as well as additional modifiers for each run COMBINED with the randomness of each run really does feel rewarding to 'crack' even if some runs are less fair than others. I would describe as the perfect game to play when you have only 40 minutes to spare, and I'm not saying that as an insult, the fact that it can be as satisfying as it is in a short amount of time is what keeps me coming back. As noted, the game could use some more content/some more QoL improvements, fortunately the developer does keep adding more on since it's initial release, and though a bit cumbersome to find and install at this time there is actually a pretty decent mod community forming around this game (all supported by the dev, and seemingly later within the game itself)
As the title suggests, this game may not have much in the way of content but what content it does have is quite fun. Mechanically solid with quick and easy to use controls, it also never lets up in terms of new mechanics to use or new environmental tools, so you always feel like the action is flowing from moment to moment. Combined with a charming art style and suitable (if at times unmemorable) soundtrack and you have the recipe for a nice little experience. It's only flaw is that by the time it ends you're still looking for more, though I suppose it's better to be good but short rather than long but bad. Realistically I would give it a 3.5/5
This rogue-lite is both incredibly fun and incredibly frustrating. To get it out of the way, yes, the RNG in this game can be quite brutal. Sometimes you travel to a new planet and you have a challenging but fair battle, other times you travel to a new planet and your crewmembers randomly die with no way to save them. Realistically what makes the RNG as brutal as it is is a) information isn't properly provided most of the time, and b) circumstances and responses in one run may not necessarily translate to another. It at first seems that unless you have equipment/crew members specifically designed for a situation (such as an advanced medbay for medical disasters) that there really is a random chance of the situation either going well or going belly up, but really this is also true even in circumstances in which you have the proper equipment, so there's little in the way of consistancy. All that being said, this is a great game to just plug in and play. Runs are usually pretty quick (for better or for worse), gameplay is simple yet deep, and assuming that the RNG at least doesn't devestate you there is a plethora of strategies to emply, each one surprisingly in depth and very rewarding. The game is also incredibly mod-friendly, with some fantastic mods that expand the scope of the game even further (Captain's Edition is probably the most known one) 4/5, would definitely reccomend. It can be incredibly frustrating to be sure, but when it all works it is incredibly fun
This game is somewhat similar to games such as LISA The Painful, OFF, and Undertale without any of the RPG elements and with more action/platforming. It combines the sprite design and overall look of Link to the Past with the more surreal and creepy imagery of dream sim games like Yume Nikkei and .flow. Now, is Anodyne as good as any of those games I mentioned? Probably not AS good, no. The controls are adequate, the mchanics are simple if sparse, but the writing is somewhat weak. It tries to be very vague about what's really going on, which is perfectly fine, but unfortunately doesn't stick the landing and feels more pretentious than it does ominous. Where this game excels though is in it's world design and exploration, especially in the post game. Without spoiling much, you gain the ability to essentialy break the level borders only to find much more than what you would expect. It actually fits quite well with the ominous feeling the visuals successfully convey and that the writing failed to convey. If that isn't appealing, then there isn't really much else to the game unfortunately. Visuals and music are great, gameplay is light, story is not told well. Overall I would give this a 3.5/5--it has some issues, and unless you like the idea of post game exploration then there really isn't much to recommend, however if that stuff is your jam and you like surreal imagery then there's quite a bit to work with here
As noted, this game does indeed have greats visuals, both the aesthetics and animations are solid and will probably still look great years later. The only negative on the visuals is that there is some repetition in the platform and room assets used, which was a bit dissapointing. Everything else unfortunately does not stack up. Music is adequate for the game, but nothing that you would have a burning desire to listen to afterwards. The game itself isn't that long, making the price tage a bit hard to justify but considering some of the negatives, maybe it's for the best it didn't overstay it's welcome. Though the game controls fine, the actual gameplay feels rather uninspired. It's not so much that the mechanics are too simple (they are) and more that the game does little with these mechanics. On top of that, the story itself is rather bland and obvious. If you relate to it in any way then maybe it works for you, however for myself I just didn't get pulled into it. Ultimately I would say I left this game feeling rather dissiapointed, especially after all the praise it's been getting. I get why for other people this works, but for me it just didn't click; there are other games that are definitely more visuals-over-gameplay in style that I like (such as NaissanceE) that I also would have trouble reccomending because it clicks with me for very specific reasons. Overall, 2/5 (2.5/5 is probably more accurate): if you are interested in this game, maybe wait for a sale or price drop, though even with that I'm not sure if I would fully reccomend it
While it starts off interesting, what with the setting, writing, and killer music, the game starts to fall apart when the RTS elements are introduced. Sure, that may be the core gameplay, but as RTS's go this is fairly weak and doesn't offer a whole lot of strategy beyond "All units, attack that guy!" It doesn't help that the writing and story starts to fall flat at around halfway through the game. I can see how this is Tim's love letter to heavy metal, and I can see an RTS with epic battles inspired by metal as something that can work. This game, unfortunately, is not that kind of game. If you're a Schaffer/Double-Fine fan waiting anxiously to play it then sure, I can't stop you, but for everyone else, I'd say this is a game you can pass up.
