AMEDAMA
- September 12, 2024
- IzanagiGames
Get on Steam"Amedama" is a single-player action game with a beautiful story set in mid 19th century Japan. As a soul without a physical form, you'll possess different bodies to gain control of various weapons and fighting styles, facing different foes and new characters along the way. Your choices in this repeating seven day period will impact the story's outcome, creating a unique human drama with every playthrough. The game features the soul-shifting showdowns and counteraction using the sword technique of Usetsu Tensei sword style.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features a unique possession mechanic that adds depth to the gameplay and story, reminiscent of the 'Way of the Samurai' series.
- The art style and music are highly praised, creating a relaxing and immersive atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.
- The branching storyline and character development are engaging, with multiple endings and perspectives that keep players invested.
- The combat can feel monotonous and lacks depth, with some players finding it janky and punishing, especially in the early game.
- There are reports of bugs and quest-related issues, such as quest flags not activating properly, which can disrupt the experience.
- The story can be confusing at times, particularly with the time loop mechanic leading to moments where the main character forgets crucial information.
- story21 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The story in the game is described as intricate and non-linear, with a mix of positive and negative feedback. While some players appreciate the depth and branching paths, others find issues with quest bugs and inconsistencies in character memory during time loops, which can detract from the experience. Overall, the narrative is considered a highlight, with many players expressing hope for future updates to expand on the story and characters.
“The story is quite intricate and non-linear.”
“Despite being in early access, the game can be played from start to finish as the story is complete and it is really a highlight of this game.”
“I didn’t go in expecting much from Amedama but was pleasantly surprised by the game as it really feels like a Way of the Samurai spinoff with a much more serious tone and a pretty good story.”
“Story-wise, it's a bit weird that in some loops the main character already had some information and then the time loops occur and he just forgets about it.”
“I get why it happened as it's to maintain the thrill of the story, but it can still be jarring sometimes.”
“The story does hint that there are quite a few characters, but you often only see 2 or 3, and they can always stop you, which irks me quite a bit.”
- gameplay12 mentions
- 58 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
Overall, the gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the unique possession mechanic and its execution, while others find the combat repetitive and the overall experience lacking depth. Despite some bugs and a moderate difficulty level, many players enjoy the game's concept and character design, indicating that the gameplay is decent but could benefit from further development and refinement.
“Honestly, I bought this game for the possession mechanic, because it's rare to find a game with this mechanic as the main feature.”
“The game concept and gameplay are really amazing!”
“The soul shifting mechanic is very interesting, and I hope it will be expanded upon following the release from early access, giving more unique interactions and responses dependent on the possessed character.”
“Besides some bugs I discovered that can be neglected, Amedama is a pretty decent 2D game with moderate gameplay difficulty (suitable for those who want to spend some effort to defeat bosses, or sometimes against enemy groups). The story is okay, not bad but nothing too special or memorable; music and character design are also fine.”
“The gameplay is alright.”
- graphics5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- -20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The game's graphics receive high praise for their impressive art style, particularly in the backgrounds and character designs, earning a score of 9/10. However, some criticism is directed at the lack of variety in character portraits, especially for common NPCs and the protagonist, which feel somewhat bland. Overall, the visuals contribute positively to the game's relaxing and pleasant atmosphere.
“The game art style is very relaxing and pleasant.”
“The graphic style lends itself to it well.”
“Although I'm not a big fan of pixel graphics, I have to say the game has an amazing art style for the backgrounds and characters.”
“The portraits of the characters, especially common NPCs, are lacking in variety and feel bland. The portrait for the protagonist also feels a bit bland.”
“The graphics are decent, but the character portraits leave much to be desired, lacking detail and variety.”
“While the art style is appealing, the overall graphics do not stand out, particularly in the character designs.”
- music4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised, featuring a classic Japanese-themed soundtrack that complements the atmosphere perfectly, earning a score of 9/10. While it lacks voice acting, the sound effects and simple vocalizations enhance the experience without being intrusive. Overall, the music contributes significantly to the game's appeal, alongside its character design and world setting.
“The sound is a 9/10 with a classic Japanese-themed soundtrack and background noise that is very fitting and never out of place or annoying. They also used the iconic 'possession' sound from Japanese media, which adds to the atmosphere.”
“The story, character design, music, art style for the characters, and gameplay are all great in my opinion.”
“The world setting and music are great.”
- character development2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is generally viewed as decent, with solid character design and an acceptable story that lacks memorability. While the gameplay offers moderate challenges, it does not significantly enhance the overall narrative experience.
“The story, character design, music, and art style for the characters are great in my opinion.”
“Amedama is a pretty decent 2D game with moderate gameplay difficulty, suitable for those who want to put in some effort to defeat bosses or enemy groups. The story is okay, not bad but nothing too special or memorable; the music and character design are also fine.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere is generally described as pleasant and enjoyable by users.
