Aerannis

57%
Game Brain Score Based on 72 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
Aerannis Game Cover
Solid and definitely has an audience. There could be some hard-to-ignore faults, but the experience is fun.
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"Aerannis is a single-player Science Fiction Platformer game set in a futuristic city controlled by shapeshifters. As assassin Ceyda Farhi, you'll uncover the truth through missions involving stealth, hostage-taking, and intense boss battles. With gorgeous graphics, a compelling soundtrack, and an interconnected world, Aerannis offers a rich and immersive experience."

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

57%
Audience ScoreBased on 72 reviews
story22 positive mentions
grinding3 negative mentions
  • Aerannis features a unique and engaging story that tackles themes of trans rights and societal issues in a dystopian setting, making it a thought-provoking experience.
  • The pixel art graphics and soundtrack are well-crafted, contributing to the overall aesthetic and atmosphere of the game.
  • The gameplay offers a mix of stealth and action elements, allowing players to approach missions in different ways, which adds to the replayability.
  • The controls can feel clunky and unresponsive at times, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences, especially during stealth sections.
  • The lack of a map or clear navigation system makes it easy to get lost, detracting from the overall flow of the game.
  • The story can be convoluted and hard to follow, with some plot points feeling underdeveloped or rushed, leaving players with unanswered questions.
  • story121 mentions

    The story of the game is a complex mix of conspiracy, dark humor, and social commentary, featuring a trans woman assassin navigating a dystopian world controlled by god-like figures. While the plot is engaging and offers unique themes, many players found it convoluted and difficult to follow, with a lack of depth in world-building and character development. Overall, the narrative is seen as both intriguing and flawed, with a blend of enjoyable dialogue and frustrating pacing that leaves players wanting more clarity and connection to the characters.

    • “The plot kicks off when Ceyda is hired to find stolen power suits, only to stumble upon a conspiracy that basically reveals the supposedly peaceful and happy state of Plovdiv to be a media-based puppet show put together by the Illums.”
    • “Ultimately, the story is enjoyable and fits quite well with the gameplay style, being both fairly mysterious as to what’s going on, yet also fairly comedic as characters throw funny barbs around here and there.”
    • “The story is really good, and though the dialogue is eye-roll worthy at times, the balance between the humor the various characters possess and the seriousness of the story (which is handled pretty well, all things considered) helps keep the player engaged.”
    • “The story is hard to follow and grasp, starting off with a trans woman assassin and ending with killing off alien shapeshifters and awakening Satan to allow humanity to control its own destiny.”
    • “The storytelling has a variety of problems, too -- specifically in that the game starts in media res to create mystery, but never really gives you a motivation for any aspect of the story, and it's so interested in being mysterious that every conversation is either a direct order or a long, confounding speech, until you finally encounter a boss who vomits exposition on you in a way that not only seems extremely out of place but is also extremely tedious.”
    • “I would've liked the game to have spent more time characterizing and engaging with those issues, whereas as it is it seems less like a game made about trans women and more like we're being used as some sort of window-dressing for an unrelated story.”
  • gameplay67 mentions

    The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting its blend of stealth mechanics and platforming elements, but also highlighting issues with controls and level design. While some found the gameplay engaging and fun, particularly with its imaginative boss designs and retro aesthetic, others criticized it for being unrefined, with floaty movement and frustrating mechanics that detracted from the overall experience. Overall, the gameplay is seen as a mix of potential and shortcomings, making it enjoyable for some but disappointing for others.

    • “Ultimately, the story is enjoyable and fits quite well with the gameplay style, being both fairly mysterious as to what’s going on, yet also fairly comedic as characters throw funny barbs around here and there.”
    • “I played through the roughly 6 hours of gameplay in only a few sittings - it was the kind of game that's tough to put down.”
    • “The gameplay is far better than I gave it credit for.”
    • “Ceyda controls poorly, and key mechanics do not function intuitively.”
    • “The gameplay is, in contrast to the plot and style of the title, its least refined aspect; stealth missions that make you want to metaphorically punch the computer because you were spotted and have to restart the level all over again have a certain 'Super Meat Boy' or 'Cuphead' vibe to deaths.”
    • “The game's mechanics have a lot of promise, but the stealth is legitimately bad and rarely engineered to create any interesting situations.”
  • music33 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its lively variety and strong fit with the game's atmosphere and storyline. The soundtrack, featuring a neo-80's trance wave style, enhances the overall experience and is often highlighted as the standout aspect of the game. While some noted occasional mismatches between music and gameplay, the overall consensus is that the music significantly contributes to the game's appeal.

    • “Music and sound are lively and good as well; I rather enjoy the variety in the tunes; some are lively and others more mysterious.”
    • “Not only is the music great but it fits the game's scenery and storyline really well.”
    • “Visually and auditorily, the game is beautiful, and is easily the best aspect about the game, with each individual stage and setting having a generally unique tone and atmosphere to it; the soundtrack of the game knows its place, allowing tones to stick out in your mind easily, and it greatly works to the game's benefit.”
    • “It really makes me wonder whether the music was made for the game or vice versa!”
    • “At times, if you're going for stealth, the music doesn't quite match this, but I didn't feel that was a major issue.”
    • “Sometimes the music choice and the screen you're playing in don't match up well and feel weird to play.”
  • graphics19 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the vibrant 16-bit cyberpunk style and overall aesthetic, which evokes nostalgia for early 90s visuals. While some players find the pixel art charming and colorful, others note inconsistencies in NPC designs and express that certain elements, like the radar, feel underwhelming due to the pixel graphics. Overall, the visuals are considered decent to impressive, though opinions vary on their execution and impact on gameplay.

    • “The aesthetics are well done.”
    • “Not to mention, the graphics and the music are downright incredible.”
    • “The pixel art graphics are adorable, cute, and carry a lot of color with them, which I love.”
    • “The visuals and audio are reminiscent of the early 90s.”
    • “You do have a radar, but it's made kind of useless with the pixel graphics and all.”
    • “To be honest, I don't think the art style does the game any favors in this area (and goodness, the elevator sprites are almost seizure-inducing), but there could have been more done, just in general, to flesh out the world.”
  • humor7 mentions

    The humor in the game is a standout feature, blending comedic dialogue and character interactions with a mysterious storyline. Players appreciate the mix of funny moments, such as self-destructing enemies and witty banter, although some humor may resonate more with specific audiences. Overall, the balance between humor and serious themes enhances player engagement and enjoyment.

    • “Ultimately, the story is enjoyable and fits quite well with the gameplay style, being both fairly mysterious as to what’s going on, yet also fairly comedic as characters throw funny barbs around here and there.”
    • “Enemies are capable of friendly fire, and a lot of them seem to go berserk (especially in enclosed spaces) when they spot you, so there are often hilarious self-destructs and team kills.”
    • “The social commentary and humor are where the game really shines.”
  • grinding3 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and unpredictable, particularly during boss encounters and exploration, which can detract from the overall experience. While some moments are well-executed, the repetitive nature of certain tasks can lead to frustration and annoyance.

    • “It's tedious, unpredictable, and annoying.”
    • “There were moments where things felt tedious (certain bosses, rooms, finding areas) but overall the larger portion of the game was well done.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    The game has low replayability, with a score of 3/10, as players report that it can be completed in about 8 hours and lacks incentives for revisiting.

    • “Replay value: 3/10”
    • “It took me about 8 hours to finish; there doesn't seem to be much replayability.”
  • stability2 mentions

    The stability of the game is mixed; while some players report a smooth experience with no bugs or glitches, others have encountered significant issues, describing it as a frustrating and buggy ride.

    • “In the end, Aerannis is a short, frustrating, buggy ride.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its stunning visuals and immersive audio, with each stage offering a unique tone that enhances the overall experience. The soundtrack complements the gameplay effectively, leaving a lasting impression and significantly contributing to the game's appeal.

    • “Visually and auditorily, the game is beautiful, and is easily the best aspect about it. Each individual stage and setting has a unique tone and atmosphere; the soundtrack knows its place, allowing tones to stick out in your mind easily, which greatly benefits the game.”
    • “The atmosphere is incredibly immersive, drawing you into the world and making you feel like you're part of the experience. Every detail contributes to a sense of place that is both captivating and haunting.”
    • “From the moment you start playing, the atmosphere envelops you. The combination of stunning visuals and an evocative soundtrack creates a mood that lingers long after you've put the game down.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    The game "aerannis" resonates emotionally with players, particularly for its thoughtful exploration of trans issues, which keeps them engaged despite initial reservations about the game's overall appeal.

    • “Aerannis isn't the sort of game that I would really pick up if it weren't for the fact that it touches on trans issues. I kept playing because it addressed these topics in the ways I expect a game to do so.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

75% average critic score

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