ANNO: Mutationem

81%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,526 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
ANNO: Mutationem Game Cover
ANNO: Mutationem is a brief-yet-solid cyberpunk adventure game with robust RPG elements.
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"ANNO: Mutationem" is a 2D side-scrolling action-adventure game set in a cyberpunk-inspired world. Play as Ann Flores, a skilled mercenary, as she navigates a dangerous city and uncovers a conspiracy involving mutants. Utilize a range of weapons, abilities, and upgrades to fight enemies and solve puzzles. Experience a rich, immersive story with hand-drawn art and deep, atmospheric music.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

81%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,526 reviews
story372 positive mentions
grinding27 negative mentions
  • Gorgeous pixel art style and overall fun game.
  • Engaging story with interesting characters and a unique cyberpunk setting.
  • Smooth combat mechanics that allow for enjoyable gameplay.
  • The story can be convoluted and hard to follow, with many plot threads left unresolved.
  • Some characters lack depth and development, making it hard to connect with them.
  • Combat can feel repetitive and lacks variety, leading to a less engaging experience.
  • story1,300 mentions

    The story of "Anno: Mutationem" has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it intriguing yet convoluted. While the game starts strong with a compelling cyberpunk narrative and engaging character dynamics, it often becomes muddled and rushed, particularly in the latter half, leading to confusion and a lack of resolution for several plot threads. Despite its flaws, the game is praised for its unique art style and atmosphere, with some players enjoying the depth of lore available through side quests and collectibles, though many feel that the main story could benefit from clearer exposition and better pacing.

    • “The story feels a bit rushed in places, but is otherwise fun to follow along with.”
    • “The story is good but leaves some things unanswered at the end.”
    • “The story is captivating, the side quests are fun and the puzzles are great.”
    • “The story feels like it wants to be something like Evangelion but just doesn't manage it, and overall the game just feels unfinished.”
    • “The story is so by the numbers cliché that I couldn't find anything to connect to in it.”
    • “The story is completely incoherent.”
  • graphics534 mentions

    The graphics of "Anno: Mutationem" have received widespread acclaim for their unique blend of 2D pixel art and 3D environments, creating a visually stunning cyberpunk aesthetic. Many reviewers highlighted the game's beautiful art style, vibrant cityscapes, and smooth transitions between 2D and 3D gameplay, although some noted occasional graphical glitches and a lack of cohesion in certain elements. Overall, the visuals are considered the standout feature of the game, captivating players and enhancing the immersive experience despite some criticisms of the story and gameplay mechanics.

    • “The art style is wonderful, blending 2D pixel art with a 3D world so perfectly that it brings every location to life.”
    • “The visuals are breathtaking and the style is simply beautiful, creating an authentic cyberpunk experience.”
    • “Anno: mutationem is a beautiful indie pixel art game coated with a sleek cyberpunk aesthetic.”
    • “The biggest downsides for me is that the pixel art retro style doesn't work well with the 3D elements; I would have liked to see the visuals be more like in 'Forgotten Anne', in a comic/anime style.”
    • “While the graphics, combat, and exploration seemed promising from the start, it slowly just started becoming more of a chore to play, with the story going all over the place, while not feeling consistent at all.”
    • “The graphics are somewhat unique, evoking memories of earlier 2D sprites in a 3D world, but the game falls into the same trappings as many other cyberpunk games that throw you into a cyberpunk world and expect the aesthetics of the genre to carry the experience.”
  • gameplay381 mentions

    The gameplay of "Anno: Mutationem" is characterized by a blend of 2D and 3D mechanics, offering a mix of exploration and combat that many players find engaging, though some criticize it for being repetitive and lacking depth. While the combat is generally smooth and enjoyable, with a variety of mechanics and customization options, it can feel simplistic and sometimes clunky, particularly in boss encounters. Overall, the game is praised for its stunning visuals and atmosphere, but opinions vary on the balance and execution of its gameplay elements.

    • “The gameplay is smooth, the 3D to 2D transition is pretty cool, combat is great, simple enough to just enjoy, and the story is as anime as anime can get.”
    • “The gameplay is engaging, clunky sometimes on my end but still good.”
    • “The gameplay is a mix between 2D and 3D, with solid mechanics, skill tree, crafting, looting, etc., and the combat is great.”
    • “The gameplay feels sparse and repetitive; it is also constantly broken up by non-gameplay zones where you are just walking about.”
    • “The gameplay/combat is fine, but it feels like the game itself tried to keep me away from it as much as possible due to the fact that you would maybe go one or two rooms of gameplay before being stuck into yet another 3D space to wander around and click on loot boxes.”
    • “The exploration, the worst decision they could make on this game was separating exploration and combat; that was a terrible decision. You can only do the cool thing when the game decides you can do it.”
  • music267 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread praise for its quality and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, with many reviewers highlighting the engaging synthwave and electronic tracks that fit the cyberpunk aesthetic perfectly. While some noted that the soundtrack lacks standout tracks, it is generally described as immersive and enjoyable, contributing significantly to the game's charm. However, there are criticisms regarding the accessibility of the soundtrack, as it is primarily available in-game rather than as a downloadable option.

    • “The music absolutely perfectly brings the atmosphere of all the places and sound design like weapon sounds, monster sounds, etc. are on point!”
    • “The soundtrack is really good, and the voice acting is at least commendable.”
    • “The visuals were fantastic, so many times I would just go idle and observe the beautiful surroundings, the populated streets, neon nights lighting up the night sky and the music really worked great together to create the authentic cyberpunk experience.”
    • “The soundtrack is... decently ambient for the genre and tone of the game, but has no standout tracks that make you go 'aww yeah!'”
    • “The soundtrack also gets the job done - atmospheric, serviceable, but not a standout that I'd slap in my music playlist.”
    • “I would say this is worth it if the downloaded soundtrack was included, but it is not, and that is really disappointing.”
  • atmosphere82 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its captivating cyberpunk aesthetic, enhanced by stunning visuals, immersive audio design, and a rich world filled with unique locations and details. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to create a vibrant and engaging environment that feels alive, with a soundtrack that complements the setting beautifully. While some critiques mention issues with gameplay and story, the overall consensus is that the atmosphere is a standout feature that significantly enhances the gaming experience.

    • “The great audio design, ambience, and the pleasant synth OST also adds to the atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere and overall look and feel is very intriguing and it is not replicating the dark tones of Blade Runner or copying the aesthetic of games like Deus Ex or Cyberpunk.”
    • “The atmosphere within the cities is incredible and it's entirely due to the art and lighting.”
    • “One thing I feel pity about is the pixel-cyberpunk atmosphere.”
    • “The writing doesn't really do justice to the environmental storytelling and atmosphere either.”
    • “I'd say I recommend 'Anno: Mutationem', because I managed to enjoy it to the end, but the game's forte is its atmosphere; everything else is barely passable.”
  • humor35 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding the ludicrous side characters and unexpected comedic moments genuinely funny, while others criticize the reliance on random and sometimes edgy humor. The banter among characters and quirky side quests contribute to a lighthearted atmosphere, though some feel that the humor can clash with the game's serious themes. Overall, the game successfully blends humor with its cyberpunk setting, offering a variety of comedic elements that may appeal to different tastes.

    • “I'm not one for dumb humor, but there are many ludicrous side characters that made me laugh out loud.”
    • “Its side quests provide an interesting look into its cyberpunk setting, and sometimes have hilarious and unexpected difficulty spikes that keep you on your toes.”
    • “Characters are cute, funny, and their banter is entertaining!”
  • grinding33 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding in the game to be tedious and often unnecessary, with many aspects of gameplay feeling padded or bloated. While some side missions and puzzles provide a break from the grind, the reliance on repetitive tasks, such as bar tending for currency and farming for materials, detracts from the overall experience. Combat can also feel grindy due to tanky enemies and the need for extensive preparation, leading to a frustrating gameplay loop.

    • “Level design is also pretty smart, with care taken to build in unlockable shortcuts, lots of side rooms with extra items, and appropriately placed saves/fast travel so leaving or revisiting specific places isn't tedious.”
    • “Progression requires you to thoroughly search each environment you go to, but you are rewarded by interesting references to pop culture and exploration is not tedious.”
    • “Then again, my play time did bloat from a bit of needless grinding for grombitz, which are a 'currency' used to unlock abilities on the skill tree.”
    • “Grinding down bloated bullet sponges that are uniformly capable of regenerating broken armor (sometimes before you actually break the thing) on top of whatever ridiculous abilities they have – it’s not challenging or rewarding, just a pain in the ass.”
    • “Maybe I was doing something wrong, but the only real way to earn currency in the game was through participating in the terrible drink-making mini-game, which was beyond tedious.”
  • character development19 mentions

    Character development in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising the stunning character designs and immersive environments, but noting a lack of depth in the story and character arcs. While some players appreciate the engaging interactions and potential for growth, others feel that the characters often come across as two-dimensional and that the narrative could benefit from additional side quests and world-building opportunities. Overall, the visuals and design are highlighted as strong points, but the character development leaves room for improvement.

    • “This game is absolutely amazing; the story, character development, and animation all come together to make an awesome game.”
    • “Anno has an intriguing story that hooks you early on with great character development and interactions.”
    • “The environments are beautiful, and the character designs are great.”
    • “See it as you wish, just don't expect a JRPG-grade plot and character development.”
    • “In general, the game simply needs more side quests and character development for the characters in this city.”
    • “I wish there was more character development though as everyone can get a little two-dimensional pretty quickly.”
  • emotional19 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is a mixed bag; while some players found the story heartwarming and appreciated the wholesome interactions between characters, others criticized it for lacking depth and originality. Key moments, such as the protagonist's relationship with her adopted family and friends, resonated strongly with some, evoking genuine emotional responses, while others felt detached from the narrative and its characters. Overall, the game offers touching moments amidst a backdrop of technical issues and a somewhat uninspired plot.

    • “Witnessing Ayane finally getting to see the ocean literally made me cry.”
    • “The story is somehow heartwarming.”
    • “I love this game, the unique 2.5D graphic style, the characters, the cyberpunk world that I really loved exploring, and especially those little interactions between the main character and her family and friends that are so sweet and heartwarming.”
    • “On the one hand, you have nice visuals, fairly fun combat and exploration, decent music, and cute character designs. But on the other hand, you have a kind of boring story that takes too much from other pieces of media, a mediocre at best, cringeworthy at worst script, jokes that don't land, and not a whole lot of charm.”
    • “The emotional depth of the characters feels shallow and unconvincing, making it hard to connect with their struggles or triumphs.”
    • “Despite the game's attempts at emotional storytelling, it often falls flat, leaving players feeling detached rather than engaged.”
  • optimization11 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while it runs smoothly during gameplay, users report occasional bugs and stuttering during loading screens. The combat mechanics and keyboard controls are noted as needing further refinement, indicating that the game could benefit from additional optimization efforts. Despite these issues, the overall performance is generally well-received, particularly in terms of voice acting.

    • “The game performance is definitely great.”
    • “There's not enough hint for the minigames and its keyboard scheme is... well, not very optimized.”
    • “In terms of technical difficulties, I have run into a couple of bugs and glitches here and there (one that almost finished my run), but the game runs well and smooth during gameplay, only really stuttering during loading screens, oddly enough.”
    • “The combat module is not to say that it is the same as it has not been optimized.”
    • “There's not enough hints for the minigames, and its keyboard scheme is... well, not very optimized.”
  • stability9 mentions

    The game's stability is frequently criticized due to numerous bugs and glitches, some of which can lead to softlocks or hinder progress during key moments. While the gameplay generally runs smoothly, issues like graphical glitches and inconsistent hitboxes detract from the overall experience, leaving players frustrated. Despite these problems, some users report that the game performs well on specific platforms, such as the Steam Deck.

    • “I haven't gotten far enough in the story to comment on it, but it doesn't seem to be injected with unnecessary political themes, and it runs great on the Steam Deck with automatic save updates between PC and Deck.”
    • “The game runs smoothly without any crashes or major bugs, providing a stable experience throughout.”
    • “I've experienced consistent performance with no frame drops, making for a very stable gameplay experience.”
    • “A lot of annoying hitboxes, bugs, and glitches still exist, and the difficulty needs some tweaking also.”
    • “One of the final boss fights was kind of buggy and I had to revert to the checkpoint a couple of times before I could progress.”
    • “I would like to mention I haven’t finished the game, so I could just be biased because I wouldn’t sit down and grind until I finished it, but it was frustratingly buggy and laggy and the gameplay just wasn’t what I was looking for.”
  • replayability6 mentions

    Overall, players find the game offers moderate replayability due to the variety of weapons and the introduction of new difficulty levels, which encourage experimentation and self-testing. However, some users note that once the story is completed, there is limited content to revisit, suggesting that replay value may diminish after the initial playthrough. The idea of re-playable boss battles is also mentioned as a potential enhancement to replayability.

    • “Enjoyable and has a nice replay value with the new difficulty to test yourself.”
    • “Weapons are fun to use, and having multiple options means some replay value (for me at least. Gonna see if I can beat the game using the other weapon).”
    • “[Beautiful pixel art style, excellent voice acting in multiple languages, crisp and fast-paced combat, tons of content and replayability].”
    • “About replay value, as far as I know, there isn't much after you've finished the story.”
    • “I like the weapons as well, having an okay variety, which gives some replayability. I believe that's hard in these games since you only slash and shoot stuff constantly.”
    • “Weapons are fun to use, and having multiple options means some replay value (for me at least. I'm going to see if I can beat the game using the other weapon).”
  • monetization3 mentions

    The game's monetization is viewed positively, as it is not perceived as a cash grab, and players appreciate the value it offers beyond its initial demo. The retro 2.3D art style and impressive visuals enhance the overall experience, contributing to a sense of charm and quality that justifies its pricing.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
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Critic Reviews

72% average critic score

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Play time

8hMedian play time
8hAverage play time
4-15hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 15 analyzed playthroughs

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