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 soul-shifting mechanic that adds depth to the gameplay and allows for interesting character interactions.
- The art style and environment design are visually appealing, with well-crafted low poly 3D models and immersive backgrounds.
- The story is intricate and offers a branching narrative that keeps players engaged, reminiscent of the 'Way of the Samurai' series.
- The combat can feel repetitive and lacks depth, often leading to a monotonous experience over time.
- The game suffers from a lack of polish, with bugs and issues such as quest flags not activating properly and characters behaving unexpectedly.
- The time loop mechanic can become frustrating, as players are forced to replay sections repeatedly to explore different choices.
- story24 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The story in the game is generally well-received, featuring an intricate and non-linear narrative with interesting characters and a decent branching storyline. However, some players noted issues with repetitive dialogue and inconsistencies related to the time loop mechanic, which can detract from the experience. Overall, while the story is not without its flaws, it is considered a highlight of the game, especially for those who appreciate its art style and character design.
“The story, character design, music, art style for the character, and gameplay are great in my opinion.”
“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 game with a much more serious tone and a pretty good story.”
“The story is quite intricate and non-linear.”
“Story-wise, it's a bit weird that in some loops the main character already had some information and then the time loops and he just forgot about it.”
“I get why it happened as it's to maintain the thrill of the story, but it's still jarring sometimes.”
“Considering all the paths and variations, it does somewhat explain why the story isn't perfect.”
- gameplay15 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 27 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The gameplay features a unique possession mechanic that many players find engaging, though some feel it lacks polish and can become repetitive over time. While the combat is not perfect, it is generally well-received, and the overall mechanics are considered interesting, with potential for further development. Despite some bugs and a few criticisms, the game is seen as a decent experience, particularly for those who appreciate its distinctive gameplay elements.
“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.”
“One other issue I had was the soul glow mechanic.”
“The combat isn't perfect, but the possession mechanic is well done.”
“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.”
- graphics6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The game's graphics are praised for their unique art style and immersive environment design, featuring appealing low poly 3D models and charming backgrounds. However, some criticism is directed at the lack of variety in character portraits, particularly for common NPCs and the protagonist, which detracts from the overall visual experience. Overall, the graphics contribute positively to the game's relaxing and pleasant atmosphere.
“The good points for this game are its art style and environment design; I quite like the low-poly 3D models and the miniature-looking backgrounds.”
“The visuals are immersive.”
“The game art style is very relaxing and pleasant.”
“Although I'm not a big fan of pixel graphics, even I have to say the game has an amazing art style for the backgrounds and characters. However, 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.”
- music5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received positive feedback, with users praising its classic Japanese-themed soundtrack and sound design, which complements the setting well. While some reviews mention that the music is not particularly memorable, it is generally considered fitting and enhances the overall experience. Overall, the sound team is recognized for their effective work in creating an immersive auditory atmosphere.
“I quite like the sound design and the few music tracks it has; the sound team definitely nailed it for this setting.”
“The sound features a classic Japanese-themed soundtrack and background noise, which is very fitting and never out of place or annoying.”
“The world setting and music are great.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by unexpected and amusing moments, often stemming from quirky bugs, such as characters flying off-screen during attacks. Players find the fast-paced gameplay surprisingly funny, contributing to a lighthearted and entertaining experience.
“There are also some funny bugs where if you use the spinning spear attack, enemies (or even you) fly off the screen.”
“The most important thing to mention is that this fast-paced game is weirdly hilarious at often random times.”
- 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 difficulty and engaging elements, it does not elevate the narrative or character arcs significantly. Overall, the experience is enjoyable but not particularly standout in terms of character depth.
“The story, character design, music, and art style for the characters, along with the gameplay, 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, and 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.
