Akane
- September 10, 2018
- Ludic
- 10h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"Akane" is a single-player Science Fiction Hack and Slash game set in 2121 A.D. In the neon-lit streets of Mega-Tokyo, Akane faces off against five types of enemies, including the cybernetic Yakuza and a Nemesis boss that evolves with each kill. With a good plot, perfect game mechanics, and awesome music, players can enjoy a variety of weapons and equipments through missions, but beware the grinding that comes with delightful replayability.
Reviews
- Fast-paced, addictive gameplay that keeps players engaged with a satisfying combat loop.
- Stylish pixel art and a fantastic soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
- Challenging yet rewarding mechanics with unlockable gear that encourages replayability.
- Limited content with only one arena and a lack of variety in enemies and bosses.
- Some frustrating mechanics, such as the inability to attack diagonally and occasional visibility issues with enemies.
- Unlock challenges can feel tedious and reliant on RNG, which may deter some players.
- music295 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its energetic and immersive quality, perfectly complementing the cyberpunk aesthetic and fast-paced gameplay. While many players find the soundtrack to be a standout feature that enhances the overall experience, some have noted that the limited number of tracks can lead to repetitiveness during extended play sessions. Overall, the soundtrack is described as a "banger" that significantly contributes to the game's addictive nature and atmosphere.
“The soundtrack is a masterpiece.”
“The music gets your blood pumping and the mouse clicking as you sever heads and spit lead.”
“The neon lights, cyberpunk aesthetic and awesome soundtrack all gel together flawlessly and create one hell of a lively vibe.”
“Unfortunately, some of that variation should have been shared to the music for the game as it is rather grating to listen to for hours on end; I'd definitely recommend muting it and playing your own playlist for the game.”
“I do wish the soundtrack was longer, as in my hour of playtime I feel like I've heard the same tracks at least three times.”
“The only bad thing thus far: the soundtrack is even more repetitive than the gameplay.”
- gameplay276 mentions
- 49 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by fast-paced, addictive mechanics that blend melee and ranged combat, reminiscent of titles like Hotline Miami and Ruiner. While the core loop is engaging and offers a satisfying challenge, some players find it repetitive over time, with issues related to hitboxes and a lack of content variety. Overall, the game is praised for its tight controls, impressive visuals, and a compelling soundtrack, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of arcade-style action games.
“Even though you’re essentially playing the same level repeatedly, the challenges, unlock system, and super satisfying gameplay keep the experience fresh.”
“The gameplay is fast-paced and intense, with a variety of weapons and abilities that keep things fresh and exciting.”
“The gameplay is fluid and addicting; the flow state of fighting off hordes of enemies with just a pistol and a katana feels so badass.”
“Controls are kind of messy and the gameplay loop is very boring due to a lack of content.”
“The gameplay gets pretty boring and frustrating, and your hands will definitely hurt while playing this.”
“Gameplay consists of nothing more than kiting and then using a big AOE hit, then using a bigger AOE hit, then repeat step one.”
- graphics162 mentions
- 59 % positive mentions
- 39 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning pixel art and vibrant cyberpunk aesthetic, effectively capturing a retro-futuristic vibe with neon colors and detailed environments. Players appreciate the immersive atmosphere created by the visuals, which complement the fast-paced gameplay and engaging soundtrack, although some note that the busy backgrounds can occasionally obscure gameplay elements. Overall, the art style is considered a significant highlight, enhancing the game's appeal and providing a visually captivating experience.
“The game’s graphics are stunning, with vibrant neon colors and a retro-futuristic aesthetic that perfectly captures the game’s cyberpunk setting.”
“The art is gorgeous, and the theming is flawless; it really sells the experience of being a gritty cyberpunk action hero on her last stand, everything just fits together so well towards that aesthetic.”
“The neon lights, cyberpunk aesthetic, and awesome soundtrack all gel together flawlessly and create one hell of a lively vibe.”
“Beautiful pixel art overall, but sometimes the visuals can be a bit busy, making it difficult for the player to see enemies that blend into the background.”
“Despite the charming art style, there is a dark undertone and the tiny sprite characters feel weighty, as every sword swing could mean your death.”
“Although the aesthetic of this particular title has been done to death (and then some), the gameplay wouldn't make much sense in any different setting, so I can't criticize that aspect too much.”
- story119 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 74 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally described as minimal and simplistic, often lacking depth and detail, with many players expressing a desire for more narrative content. While some appreciate the intriguing yet vague premise and the atmospheric setting, others find the lack of a substantial plot disappointing, noting that the gameplay often overshadows any story elements. Overall, the consensus is that while the game is enjoyable for its mechanics, it could benefit from a more fleshed-out storyline to enhance the experience.
“The story, while barebones, is punchy and serviceable, and the controls are fantastic.”
“It's a masterclass in subtle storytelling; it has amazing mood setting and endless addicting gameplay that makes me want to grind all the achievements.”
“Love the story, setting, and characters, each of those aspects having a very 'show you just enough, but hint at a much larger world and lore' feel.”
“This game doesn't have any particular story though.”
“There isn't a story to speak of; you're a samurai going on a suicidal rampage on a group of yakuza, but the delivery of that premise is unparalleled for a 2D game.”
“In the end, it’s a fun action game but lacks any kind of replay value and story, so I cannot in good faith recommend this game for the price tag it comes with.”
- replayability22 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is highly praised, with many users noting its quick loading times and engaging gameplay that encourages repeated playthroughs. While some players appreciate the high replay value and progression systems, others feel that once upgrades are unlocked, the incentive to return diminishes. Despite these critiques, the game is generally considered a great value for its price, offering addictive mechanics that keep players coming back for more.
“It is amazing how a simple game like this can have so much replay value; it's quick to load, so getting back into the fight is a breeze.”
“Amazing for just one euro, packed with lots of badass-ness, gore, and so much fun and replay value.”
“Even at full price, it's a steal and can keep you busy with its high replayability and cocaine-level addiction for hundreds of attempts.”
“In the end, it’s a fun action game but lacks any kind of replay value and story, so I cannot in good faith recommend this game for the price tag it comes with.”
“I think one of its main design flaws, to me at least, is that the first 100 enemies come at you way too slowly especially for a gameplay loop based on replayability.”
“It is only 1 level with very limited story but the replayability is second to none, however... once you have unlocked all the upgrades at least to me personally, there is no real reason to go back to the game other than trying to get a personal high score.”
- atmosphere22 mentions
- 64 % positive mentions
- 27 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its vibrant and immersive qualities, particularly within a cyberpunk or sci-fi setting, enhanced by stunning graphics and a stellar soundtrack. While some players note repetitive content, the overall aesthetic and ambiance effectively draw them back into the gameplay experience. The combination of visual design, music, and thematic elements creates a captivating environment that resonates with many players.
“The visual atmosphere is wonderful; it is a very absorbing sci-fi/post-apocalyptic universe that matches the gameplay and the idea of the game.”
“It has a very rich cyberpunk atmosphere which is only improved by the music.”
“The whole atmosphere is mesmerizing; everything looks so vibrant and alive.”
“I like the atmosphere, but the content is repetitive.”
“You killed the whole atmosphere with these 8 new added songs... they are lame and don't support the gameplay at all; they aren't dynamic or react to the gameplay at all.”
- grinding22 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 5 % neutral mentions
- 82 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game receives mixed feedback; while some players find it rewarding and manageable due to engaging gameplay, others describe it as tedious and overly reliant on RNG. Many agree that while achievements can require significant grinding, the overall experience remains enjoyable for short bursts, though it can become monotonous over extended play sessions.
“It can be a bit grindy sometimes, but it adds to the overall experience.”
“The game can feel a bit grindy at times, yet it keeps you engaged.”
“Grinding is a necessary part of the game, and it can be quite rewarding.”
“Honestly, it is rather grating to have to complete all of the challenges due to how tedious and RNG-heavy some of them are, but you can easily complete the game in under 6 hours if you really put into it.”
“A game that starts fun but unfortunately becomes nothing but a tedious grind.”
“There's a delay time of about two minutes before stuff starts to kick off again, which can feel really grindy once you've been playing for a bit.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is derived from the challenging gameplay, which leads to a mix of frustration and laughter as players navigate difficult tasks. Many find the death animations particularly amusing, adding a lighthearted touch to the overall experience, while the low achievement completion rates contribute to a sense of shared struggle and humor among players.
“It took so many months of hair pulling, laughing, and raging to get to this point.”
“Animations (specifically death animations) are both well done and quite hilarious at times.”
“It's funny if you want a difficult challenge.”
- optimization3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
Users note that the optimization of equipment can significantly enhance performance across various activities, including work and gaming. While most items are comparable, personal preference for specific gear can lead to substantial improvements in efficiency and effectiveness.
“Peak performance.”
“Each piece of equipment is roughly on par with everything else, but you may find that certain items suit your taste and thus massively increase your performance.”
“It will probably improve your performance at work, games, and other activities.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express that the game's mechanics, such as slashing, dodging, and shooting, evoke a sense of empowerment and superiority, particularly when combined with the ability to clear the screen of obstacles. This emotional engagement is heightened by the need for momentum and concentration, creating a thrilling and immersive experience.
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy in the game has been criticized for being overly aggressive, with some players feeling manipulated or coerced into spending money.
- character development1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
While the game's cyberpunk aesthetic and crisp pixel art are praised, the reviews do not provide specific insights into the depth or progression of character development. Overall, the focus seems to be more on visual style than on character growth or narrative depth.
