Akatori: Сhapter One

93%
Game Brain Score Based on 271 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • story
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Add full game to your wishlist About the Game[/url] [img][/img] Akatori: Сhapter One is an intense metroidvania with action platformer elements and a compelling introduction to the grand adventure awaiting you in Akatori. Take on the role of the young monk, Mako, as you learn where the game’s story begins and encounter the inhabitants of the Land of the Emerald Peaks, inspired by the Industria…

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

93%
Audience ScoreBased on 271 reviews
gameplay49 positive mentions
stability4 negative mentions
  • Visually stunning with a beautiful blend of 2D pixel art and 3D backgrounds, creating an immersive atmosphere.
  • Innovative combat mechanics that combine martial arts and staff usage, allowing for fluid movement and engaging gameplay.
  • The exploration aspect is rewarding, with hidden abilities and power-ups that encourage players to revisit areas.
  • Combat can feel unresponsive and lacks impact, making encounters less satisfying and engaging.
  • The demo is relatively short, leaving players wanting more content and depth in the gameplay experience.
  • Some mechanics, such as the healing process and enemy AI, need refinement to enhance overall gameplay fluidity and challenge.
  • gameplay101 mentions

    The gameplay of Akatori is praised for its innovative mechanics, particularly the versatile use of the staff for both combat and traversal, which adds depth to the metroidvania experience. Players appreciate the smooth controls, engaging platforming, and the intriguing corruption system that alters the game world over time. However, some users noted that certain mechanics can feel clunky or confusing, and there are concerns about the need for further optimization and polish before the full release.

    • “Akatori presents a well-rounded gaming experience with its compelling story, innovative gameplay mechanics, beautiful visuals, and adaptive soundtrack.”
    • “The mechanics work great, the level design is good, the combat has nice impact, flawless gameplay flow, beautiful art direction, and overall a super fun and engaging experience!”
    • “Whether bouncing off surfaces or using it as a makeshift platform, the staff mechanic adds a layer of depth and excitement to movement rarely seen in the genre.”
    • “I played this game on my low-spec PC, and I faced some bugs that need optimization. Sometimes controls like jump mechanics don't work, which needs to be fixed before the game releases.”
    • “It truly makes me sad to say I can't recommend this game in its current state; it feels like three years only went into making the backgrounds and story, rather than focusing on the core gameplay.”
    • “The throw mechanic feels slow, and the throw button is far from the jump button on the controller, making traversing required staff areas feel slow and clunky.”
  • graphics72 mentions

    The graphics of "Akatori" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning pixel art and smooth animations, often compared to the HD-2D style popularized by Square Enix. Players appreciate the unique blend of 2D and 3D elements, which create a visually captivating experience, although some have noted minor graphical issues and performance concerns in certain areas. Overall, the art style is described as beautiful and engaging, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.

    • “The artwork in this game is phenomenal and movement is very smooth.”
    • “Visually, 'akatori' dazzles with its pixel art aesthetic juxtaposed against lush 3D landscapes.”
    • “With its smooth mechanics, captivating art style, and immersive experience, it's a game that deserves a spot on any platforming enthusiast's radar.”
    • “However, although I know that this is basically just an early build of the game, there are still some minor complaints for me about this game... like, one thing I've noticed is that there are some sections of the game where it basically lags which I feel like it's either the game needs more optimization or maybe just that it needs graphics settings to reduce the intensity for us low-spec PC gamers.”
    • “I also encountered some graphical issues, and even had some frame drops.”
    • “- the visuals are weak and could do with substantial improvements.”
  • story45 mentions

    The story of Akatori is described as intriguing yet somewhat predictable, with a mix of engaging elements and mundane dialogue that may not fully captivate all players. While some reviewers appreciate the potential for deeper narrative development, others find the storytelling inconsistent and lacking in emotional depth. Overall, the game sets up an interesting premise but leaves room for improvement in character development and dialogue clarity.

    • “Akatori presents a well-rounded gaming experience with its compelling story, innovative gameplay mechanics, beautiful visuals, and adaptive soundtrack.”
    • “The story intrigued me and I want to find out more; the 'chaos' reminded me of the infection from Hollow Knight, probably what they took for inspiration. The movement is fluid, the combat is fun, and I loved the staff mechanic... and this is just the tip of the iceberg, right?”
    • “More than just jaw-dropping visuals, this game strikes a surprisingly great balance between adventure story and metroidvania-style free exploration.”
    • “The story is... okay?”
    • “It's very early to comment on the story since it only covers chapter one as the title suggests, but storytelling and dialogues are all over the place.”
    • “Dialogue/story writing was also a chore to get through; too wordy and dumping of info without any distinct character - making it difficult to feel attached to world-building/story.”
  • music27 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its ambient tracks and orchestral elements, while others find it forgettable and lacking in intensity during key moments like boss battles. Many appreciate the overall sound design and its fit within the game's aesthetic, but there are notable complaints about the absence of music in certain areas, leading to feelings of emptiness. Overall, while some players are optimistic about the potential of the soundtrack in the full release, others feel it requires significant improvement.

    • “Akatori presents a well-rounded gaming experience with its compelling story, innovative gameplay mechanics, beautiful visuals, and adaptive soundtrack.”
    • “Very nice platformer game with great music and effects.”
    • “Beyond that, it's a beautiful game that plays extremely well, it has a great soundtrack with tight controls, and I'm really looking forward to when we get the full release!”
    • “I understand the changes in music, but sometimes the levels feel empty and boring without it, especially the two mini-bosses.”
    • “My biggest gripe was with the lack of sound effects (refilling your health should have a sound cue) and the music was really, really, really dull.”
    • “Now for the music, or lack thereof to be more precise.”
  • optimization9 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with players reporting significant performance issues such as stuttering, low frame rates, and unresponsive controls, particularly in specific areas like mirror lake. Many users express a desire for better accessibility options and tuning of gameplay mechanics, indicating that the game requires substantial improvements before its full release. Despite these concerns, there is optimism for future updates to enhance performance, especially for lower-spec systems and platforms like the Steam Deck.

    • “The story is good despite a short demo, but the game should definitely be optimized for performance and gameplay.”
    • “I'm hopeful that there will be optimization for Steam Deck done prior to the full game being released.”
    • “I played this game on my low-spec PC; I faced some bugs and it needs some optimization. Sometimes controls like jump mechanics won't work, which needs to be fixed before the game release. Thanks a lot for developing this wonderful game.”
    • “Not much in the way of optimization in the settings; obviously, dropping the resolution helped like always, but I was still averaging around 30 fps for a pixel art game.”
    • “I played this game on my low-spec PC and faced some bugs that need optimization. Sometimes controls like jump mechanics don't work, which needs to be fixed before the game releases.”
    • “But the controls seriously need more tuning. This could be so much more without the performance issues, such as missing audio cues, button presses not registering, and a wonky UI.”
  • stability4 mentions

    The game's stability is marked by notable glitches, particularly with the rolling and dodge mechanics, which can lead to inconsistent inputs and unintended actions. While these issues are present, many players appreciate the overall artistic quality and depth of gameplay despite the bugs.

    • “The rolling/dodge key is buggy - sometimes it rolls twice, and sometimes it eats the input afterward, which includes jumping down to a lower platform (down + jump).”
    • “Slightly buggy but great art style, music, depth of mechanics.”
    • “Questionable mechanics and glitches.”
  • grinding3 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, particularly in combat where countering feels more laborious than enjoyable. While some elements, like the references to "Hikaru no Go," are appreciated, the overall experience is marred by frustrating mechanics, especially when dealing with large flying enemies.

    • “The dialogue is a little tedious — although the old men playing go was a nice touch, and they allude to Hikaru no Go and Sai, which was great — and the combat is meh.”
    • “As a result, countering feels more tedious than a fun countermeasure; it's just dodging and then hitting them again.”
    • “Big flying things are sometimes tedious to take down due to very restrictive anti-air options, but this was fine for me as it only makes it more satisfying to smash them.”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is praised for its exceptional beauty, enhancing the overall experience alongside a compelling story and unique weapon mechanics.

    • “The art and atmosphere are exceptionally beautiful.”
    • “So far, the atmosphere and story, along with the twist of what you use as a weapon, are captivating.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its ability to evoke anticipation and excitement, drawing comparisons to beloved titles like Ori and Celeste. Players express a deep appreciation for the intricate combat mechanics, suggesting that the game not only promises engaging gameplay but also resonates on a personal level, potentially stirring nostalgia and pride for classic fighting games.

    • “As the prelude to Flame Bird, it made me feel that Flame Bird is a very good game.”
    • “I don't know how many moves there will be in the final game, but just as there are a myriad of ways to get around in games like Ori and Celeste, this game may have the same feeling but in its fights.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Character development is noted for its appealing design, with both characters and enemies receiving positive visual attention. However, the reviews do not provide further insights into the depth or progression of character arcs.

  • monetization1 mentions

    Reviews indicate a strong resistance to microtransactions and loot boxes, with players expressing a desire to combat the prevalence of pay-to-win mechanics in games. Many view these monetization strategies as detrimental to the gaming experience, advocating for a more balanced approach.

    • “Together, we shall weather the storm of microtransactions and loot boxes, standing tall against the tide of pay-to-win villains like noble knights in a digital crusade.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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