Anomaly Agent
- January 24, 2024
- Phew Phew Games
- 8h median play time
Anomaly Agent combines its stylish presentation and addicting combat into one of the best indie experiences I've ever played.
In "Anomaly Agent," play as Agent 70 and use anomaly weapons to stop otherworldly threats. Upgrade your character, engage in melee and firearm combat, and perform acrobatic moves to evade pursuers. Your decisions will impact the story's outcome in this action-packed adventure featuring unique bosses and character development.
Reviews
- The pixel art and music are excellent, creating a captivating atmosphere.
- The combat mechanics are engaging and fast-paced, allowing for fluid movement and combos.
- The humor and writing are entertaining, adding charm to the overall experience.
- The combat can feel chaotic and unbalanced, especially when facing multiple enemies at once.
- Some controls are unresponsive, leading to frustrating moments during gameplay.
- The story lacks depth and the ending feels rushed, leaving players wanting more.
- story223 mentions
- 48 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally described as engaging and humorous, with a unique premise involving time travel and quirky characters. While some players appreciate the lighthearted and entertaining narrative, others feel it lacks depth and could benefit from further development. Overall, the story is seen as a fun complement to the gameplay, though its brevity and occasional superficiality are noted as drawbacks.
“The story is unique; you essentially play as an SCP Foundation agent dealing with an anomaly.”
“The game's story paints a captivating picture of time paradoxes.”
“Anomaly agent is such a nice blend of good story, music, art, and gameplay, making it a delightful recipe for a brilliant game experience.”
“However, in terms of storytelling and character development, 'Anomaly Agent' can sometimes feel superficial.”
“The depth of the story and the background of the characters could have been elaborated further.”
“Story is honestly really really not interesting at all even though they try to make a little plot twist in the end, all I thought was 'oh well this was called for and not interesting or anything that makes the story rich at all.'”
- gameplay207 mentions
- 48 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Anomaly Agent" is generally well-received, characterized by smooth mechanics, engaging combat, and a fun blend of platforming elements. While some players appreciate the variety and depth of the combat system, others note issues with enemy synchronization and repetitive mechanics that can detract from the experience. Overall, the game offers a satisfying and enjoyable experience, enhanced by a captivating soundtrack and unique art style, though it could benefit from further refinement in certain areas.
“Flawless soundtrack, unique style, very fun gameplay and storytelling.”
“The gameplay progression is amazing, the story is fun, and the music is a banger.”
“Anomaly agent is a wonderfully weird adventure, full of strange and interesting characters and fluid mechanics that are satisfying to execute.”
“Combat mechanics in this game are not suitable for a 2D action side scroller.”
“It makes certain key mechanics pointless and requires constant dodging (as the enemies are not synchronized), without giving a chance to build momentum.”
“The most disappointing part of the game is platforming; I expected more in terms of both challenge and platforming mechanics.”
- music186 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 35 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The music in "Anomaly Agent" has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its captivating synthwave soundtrack that perfectly complements the game's cyberpunk aesthetic. Players find the music to be memorable and immersive, enhancing the overall gaming experience and often expressing a desire for the soundtrack to be released separately. While some noted occasional repetitiveness, the majority agree that the music significantly elevates the gameplay and atmosphere, making it a standout feature of the game.
“The game has a beautiful synthwave soundtrack created by Ali Barutçuoğlu; it perfectly encapsulates the neon lights and 80s future aesthetic.”
“The immersive and pulsating tunes not only enhance the cyberpunk aesthetic but also play a crucial role in intensifying the gaming experience, making Anomaly Agent a must-play for both cyberpunk enthusiasts and music aficionados alike.”
“In summary, Anomaly Agent's synthwave soundtrack stands out as a defining feature of the game, contributing significantly to its overall appeal.”
“The volume and intensity of the music should have varied more with the action scenes to enhance the experience.”
“There is only one issue I could point out that is non-stop repetitive music which started bothering after a while.”
“The music could have been better.”
- graphics72 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Anomaly Agent" are characterized by a nostalgic pixel art style that effectively captures a retro aesthetic, complemented by a vibrant cyberpunk atmosphere. While many players appreciate the detailed character designs and immersive environments, some note that the visuals can feel repetitive and lack the richness of modern graphics. Overall, the combination of engaging visuals and a captivating synthwave soundtrack enhances the game's appeal, making it a standout experience for fans of the genre.
“The game stands out with its pixel graphics and fast-paced action.”
“The visual design of 'Anomaly Agent' takes players on a nostalgic journey with pixel graphics inspired by old games.”
“The retro feel from the pixel graphics and the cyberpunk environment along with the music makes the experience even better.”
“The game world and character designs are detailed and meticulously crafted, but some players may find the graphics repetitive and lacking in variety.”
“The art style, while captivating at times, has many rookie mistakes; for example, when the airship descended from the sky, the model clearly looked upscaled with a scale ratio from the game engine, making it look really out of place.”
“The visuals are very basic pixel graphics, but the artists and designers were able to give life to the environments. However, every time it changes location, it doesn't feel the same as the previous locations.”
- humor68 mentions
- 99 % positive mentions
- -3 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its clever writing, entertaining character interactions, and creative references, making it a standout feature for many players. While some found the humor to be hit or miss, overall, it contributes significantly to the game's charm and enjoyment, with many moments eliciting genuine laughter. The balance of humor with engaging gameplay and a fun storyline enhances the overall experience, appealing to a diverse audience.
“The humor and the references to other works are entertaining.”
“The humor was the top feature for me in this game and I had a lot of fun with the story in this manner.”
“The story is funny and engaging.”
“I really hope the jokes aren't this unfunny in the original version. If they are, I'll have to reconsider my overall opinion of the game. The German localization is terrible, as it often is, and I can't help but wonder if the people translating games to German are even German. I couldn't stand the German version so much that I switched to Turkish after just 45 minutes of playing.”
“The humor in this game falls flat. I expected clever jokes and witty dialogue, but instead, I was met with cringeworthy attempts at comedy that left me more confused than amused.”
“I found the humor to be forced and unoriginal. It felt like the developers were trying too hard to be funny, but the jokes just didn't land, making the experience less enjoyable.”
- atmosphere25 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 32 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of "Anomaly Agent" is widely praised for its captivating cyberpunk aesthetics and immersive synthwave soundtrack, which enhance the overall gaming experience. Players appreciate the vibrant retro-future setting and dynamic environments, although some note a lack of intricate details and humor that may detract from immersion. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered a standout feature, effectively drawing players into its engaging world.
“Anomaly Agent boasts an atmospheric and captivating soundtrack.”
“The game's cyberpunk aesthetic and synthwave music offer players an attractive and immersive atmosphere.”
“The game effortlessly combines stunning visuals, immersive gameplay, and an intriguing storyline, creating an atmosphere that keeps players hooked from start to finish.”
“The game has some weak points, but I believe that they are not big issues and the overall atmosphere compensates for them.”
“I had difficulty immersing myself in the atmosphere of the game because it contained too much humor. Perhaps if it had been a bit more serious, it could have been more engaging for me. However, the game's humor is genuinely well-made.”
“Good concept, various and beautiful environments that will suck you into the atmosphere with brilliant looks and music.”
- replayability10 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The game offers some replayability through multiple story paths, two endings, and a new game plus mode, but opinions vary on its effectiveness. While some players find the combat mechanics engaging and the overall experience enjoyable, others feel that the endings are underwhelming and do not significantly enhance replay value. Overall, the game provides a short but fun adventure, with replayability primarily stemming from its different endings and combat system.
“There appears to be replay value based on the different story paths you encounter throughout the game, as well as a new game plus that I unlocked after beating the game the first time.”
“The combat mechanics are smooth and addictive, making for great replayability.”
“It's a short adventure that is enjoyable and replayable.”
“There appears to be replay value based on the different story paths you encounter throughout the game, as well as a new game plus that I unlocked after beating the game the first time, but the ending I did get was ultimately uneventful and underwhelming.”
“I was expecting multiple paths or endings that encourage replayability.”
“Content-wise, you'll get about 8-9 hours of fun on normal difficulty, depending on how good you are; and you do have 2 endings and a new game + to help a bit with replayability.”
- grinding9 mentions
- 11 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, particularly during boss fights that require excessive hits to defeat while dealing significant damage in return. The final battles and certain sections, like the dance bar, are noted as especially frustrating and drawn-out, leading to a sense of exhaustion in the gameplay experience.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“My only gripe is that some of the bosses could be tedious to fight because they take a ridiculous number of hits before you beat them, while they only need to get a few hits in on you to take you down.”
“However, towards the end of the game, the final battles were a bit tedious at best and a horrible and frustrating slog at worst.”
“The dance bar sections in particular were excruciatingly tedious to go through.”
- character development9 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 22 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
Character development in "Anomaly Agent" is highlighted by its engaging storytelling and choice-based dialogue system, which allows players to influence the narrative. While the character designs and overall aesthetics are praised, some players feel that the depth of character development can be superficial at times. Overall, the game offers a mix of enjoyable mechanics and humor, contributing to a smooth and immersive experience.
“Anomaly Agent's story, combat variety, humor, and character designs are really great.”
“The controls are very good, and the in-game character development mechanics are very enjoyable.”
“However, in terms of storytelling and character development, 'Anomaly Agent' can sometimes feel superficial.”
“The game world and character designs are detailed and meticulously crafted, but some players may find the graphics repetitive and lacking in variety.”
“I enjoyed the choice-based dialogue system, allowing the player to become a part of the story and affect character development.”
- optimization3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The game is generally well-optimized, running smoothly without significant bugs or performance issues. While it offers a solid beat 'em up experience, some players feel it lacks a unique or engaging element. Overall, it presents a strong price-performance ratio, making it a worthwhile purchase.
“Definitely worth buying, the price-performance ratio is unbeatable.”
“Very good optimization.”
“Normal game, without bugs and optimization problems... but it's just a normal beat 'em up. You can complete it without any emotions; I just don't know, there is a lack of something special.”
- stability3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is praised, with many users reporting it as bug-free and running smoothly on the Steam Deck. However, some players have noted occasional visual glitches and issues with character responsiveness during intense combat scenarios.
“Bug free: 10/10, a flawless experience.”
“Runs great on Steam Deck.”
“There are some visual glitches and bugs, such as the character not responding to your button spamming in intense combat.”
“The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable during crucial moments.”
“I experienced several freezes and lag spikes that disrupted my gameplay experience.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game primarily revolves around microtransactions, which involve in-game purchases. This approach has been consistently highlighted by users, indicating a significant reliance on additional spending for enhanced gameplay experiences.
“Microtransactions are well-balanced and don't feel intrusive.”
“The in-game purchases enhance the experience without being necessary to enjoy the game.”
“I appreciate that the monetization model is fair and allows players to progress without spending money.”
Critic Reviews
Anomaly Agent review
Anomaly Agent is a genre-bending, time-twisting, gun-toting, knuckle-crackin’ badass of a game, waiting to chuck you around and leave you breathless on the floor, ready for round two.
80%Anomaly Agent Review – I Know Kung Fu
Anomaly Agent combines its stylish presentation and addicting combat into one of the best indie experiences I've ever played.
95%Anomaly Agent (Nintendo Switch)
Anomaly Agent is a fast, slick adventure through time. This small indie team has done a great job with this, its first game, paving the way for a promising future. Despite a few little technical glitches, this is one title worth checking out.
85%