Akane

About

Akane is a single player casual hack and slash game with a science fiction theme. It was developed by Ludic and was released on September 10, 2018. It received very positive reviews from players.

"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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

95%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,626 reviews

music350 positive mentions

grinding36 negative mentions

music
581 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
37%
3%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its energetic and fitting soundtrack, often compared to the likes of *Hotline Miami* and *Furi*. While many players praise the soundtrack as a standout feature that enhances the gameplay experience, some have noted that it can become repetitive after extended playtime, leading to suggestions of using personal playlists instead. Overall, the combination of a vibrant cyberpunk aesthetic and a compelling soundtrack contributes significantly to the game's appeal.
- “The soundtrack is a masterpiece.”
- “The music gets your blood pumping and the mouse clicking as you sever heads and spit lead.”
- “The soundtrack blends in perfectly with the whole aesthetic vibe Akane creates which only serves to make Akane and you, the player, feel cooler on this revenge/suicide mission.”
- “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 also would recommend playing some of your own music; the OST doesn't have that many songs and gets very repetitive after playing for more than 30 minutes.”
- “The only possible nitpick is that I've played this game so much that I've heard all the music.”
gameplay
546 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
45%
6%
The gameplay of Akane is characterized by fast-paced, fluid mechanics that blend melee and ranged combat, reminiscent of titles like Hotline Miami and Ruiner. Players appreciate the tight controls and satisfying combat, although some find the repetitive nature and steep difficulty curve can lead to frustration. Overall, the game offers an engaging experience with a compelling aesthetic and soundtrack, making it a worthwhile pick for fans of arcade-style action games.
- “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.”
- “Great feeling combat and an upgrade system that gives you that 'just one more run' feeling makes Akane a fantastic pickup for anyone that likes fast-paced high-skill gameplay with minimal story to get in the way of the fun.”
- “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.”
graphics
322 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
39%
1%
The graphics of "Akane" 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 visuals can occasionally be too busy, making it difficult to see enemies. Overall, the game's art style and graphics are considered a significant highlight, enhancing the overall 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 graphics are eye-catching and provide an immersive atmosphere.”
- “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.”
- “If I had one complaint about the game, it's that the Linux version has some sort of issue where the graphics won't display, but I'm not sure if this game was developed with Linux in mind or is just Proton unfriendly.”
- “Poorly explained rules, combo counter resets too fast to make it fun, poor hit boxes, vague artwork, and repetitive music.”
story
235 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
73%
8%
The game's story is minimal and often described as vague or lacking depth, with many players expressing a desire for more narrative content. While some appreciate the subtle storytelling and atmospheric elements, the overall consensus is that the game primarily focuses on gameplay rather than a rich storyline. Players often find the existing story intriguing but feel it could be significantly expanded to enhance the experience.
- “The story, understandably, is vague and kinda short, but what is there is very interesting.”
- “But akane manages to feel like a climactic moment in a larger, hinted-at storyline and larger world, and that's difficult to achieve.”
- “I was surprised to learn that this game has an interesting, albeit short and a tad 'crammed' story.”
- “This game doesn't have any particular story though.”
- “You won't find any story or anything really deep.”
- “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.”
grinding
44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
7%
11%
82%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews; while some players find it tedious and RNG-heavy, others appreciate the rewarding nature of the achievements that require grinding. Many agree that the gameplay is engaging enough to make the grind more tolerable, although it can become repetitive, especially with the need to restart after death. Overall, players suggest that while grinding is present, it can be enjoyable if approached with the right mindset.
- “It can be a bit grindy sometimes.”
- “It feels a bit grindy.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “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.”
atmosphere
43 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
28%
9%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its vibrant and immersive qualities, particularly within a captivating cyberpunk setting enhanced by stunning graphics and a stellar soundtrack. Players appreciate the combination of visual design and music, which effectively draws them into the game's world, despite some criticism regarding repetitive content. Overall, the atmosphere is described as mesmerizing and integral to the gameplay experience.
- “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.”
- “You killed the whole atmosphere with these 8 new added songs... they are lame and don't support the gameplay at all, aren't dynamic or react to the gameplay at all.”
- “I like the atmosphere, but the content is repetitive.”
- “The whole atmosphere is mesmerizing; everything looks so vibrant and alive.”
replayability
43 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
51%
42%
7%
Overall, the game boasts high replayability, with many players praising its fast-paced gameplay and engaging mechanics that encourage repeated playthroughs. While some reviewers noted a lack of depth in story and variety, the unlockable upgrades and completionist elements provide a strong incentive to return. Despite some criticisms regarding pacing and limited content, the game's value for its price and addictive nature make it a worthwhile experience for players seeking replayable action.
- “Amazing for just one euro, packed with lots of badass-ness, gore, and so much fun and replay value.”
- “Infinite replayability.”
- “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 one 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.”
humor
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is derived from its challenging gameplay, which leads to a mix of frustration and laughter as players navigate difficult tasks. Many find the well-executed death animations particularly amusing, adding a lighthearted touch to the intense experience. Overall, the humor is appreciated as a counterbalance to the game's difficulty, making the journey both entertaining and rewarding.
- “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.”
optimization
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Users report that the optimization of the equipment can significantly enhance performance across various activities, including work and gaming. While most items are comparable in quality, personal preference for specific gear can lead to substantial improvements in 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.”
- “Peak performance.”
- “It will probably improve your performance at work, games, and others.”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The reviews suggest that the monetization strategy in the game is aggressive and potentially exploitative, leading to a negative perception among players. Users feel that the monetization tactics detract from the overall experience, making them feel manipulated or coerced into spending.
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
While the reviews highlight the impressive cyberpunk aesthetic and striking character designs, they do not provide specific insights into the depth or progression of character development within the game. Overall, the focus seems to be more on visual appeal rather than character growth or narrative depth.
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a sense of empowerment and superiority through the game's mechanics, which allow for dynamic actions like slashing, dodging, and shooting, all while maintaining momentum and focus. This combination fosters an emotional high that enhances the overall gaming experience.