Ato

99%
Game Brain Score Based on 147 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Ato Game Cover
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"Ato is a single-player, mystery Metroidvania sword-dueling game set in feudal Japan, where every combat encounter is an intense duel. With masterful visuals, an amazing soundtrack, and a visually driven story of a father seeking to retrieve his child, Ato offers challenging difficulty options and environmental puzzles. Explore colorful atmospheric environments and uncover the mystery of this compelling world."

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Linux
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

99%
Audience ScoreBased on 147 reviews
story13 positive mentions
grinding1 negative mentions
  • Ato features a unique combat system focused on engaging boss fights, providing a satisfying challenge that rewards skill and strategy.
  • The game's art style is visually stunning, with vibrant colors and beautiful pixel art that enhances the overall atmosphere.
  • Exploration is encouraged with numerous secrets and collectibles, and the map design allows for a rewarding sense of progression.
  • The movement system can feel clunky at times, particularly with mechanics like dodging and the charge timer for attacks, which can lead to frustrating moments during combat.
  • Some players may find the game short, with a typical playtime of around 5-10 hours, which might not justify the price for everyone.
  • The lack of regular enemies and reliance on boss fights can make the world feel sparse and less dynamic, potentially leading to a sense of emptiness.
  • story48 mentions

    The game's story is primarily visual and told without dialogue, allowing for a unique and engaging narrative experience that is both simple and effective. While the story is light and often takes a backseat to gameplay, it is conveyed through character actions and animations, creating emotional moments that resonate with players. Overall, the narrative is appreciated for its stylish execution, though some players feel it lacks depth and connection during gameplay.

    • “The story is told entirely without dialogue, and yet the characters and motivations were still pretty clear throughout the relatively short (~6-7 hours to 100%) runtime.”
    • “Ato is an underappreciated metroidvania with snappy, smooth combat and an interesting story told all without words.”
    • “The story is short, simple, and entirely visual, but works well regardless.”
    • “There's a story in this game, but it's not exactly a highlight of the game.”
    • “However, the 'story' really only happens in the beginning and the end.”
    • “I find the solely visible storytelling can be a bit troublesome, in that without the proper context, I'm just left wandering around not really clear why I'm doing anything.”
  • gameplay45 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized by its engaging combat mechanics that balance complexity and predictability, allowing for a fun and satisfying experience. Players appreciate the fast-paced action, smooth platforming, and inventive movement mechanics, which contribute to a fluid transition between gameplay and story elements. While some mechanics may feel janky at times, the overall design encourages exploration and replayability, making it a standout title in the metroidvania genre.

    • “The dueling combat is a great blend of beating the heck out of your opponent and tactical parries/precise dodges; I like that you can approach the combat in different ways casually and love that the skill ceiling increases as you learn more about the hidden mechanics of the game, which adds a metric ton of replay value to an already interesting game to run through.”
    • “Fast-paced gameplay, engaging platforming that just feels good, a nice amount of exploration and secret-hunting, challenging but fair combat, lots and lots of bosses (somewhere around 30-40ish I think? I lost count), beautiful visuals, a solid story (it at least gives motivation for the protagonist and I appreciate that, even if it's fairly minimal overall).”
    • “The game opens with very simple movement, but quickly builds upon it with several abilities that make for fast, flexible gameplay.”
    • “The main flaw with this game is that it doesn't have enough depth to its mechanics.”
    • “There's not much that happens in the 'middle' of the story to connect the two, since the game is too busy with gameplay to focus on the story.”
    • “Also, the fighting mechanics like the hold attack move and the weapon only hitting twice were kind of annoying to me; it felt kind of janky, and the jumping seemed odd, like it didn't respond well to my button presses.”
  • graphics40 mentions

    The graphics of the game are characterized by a simplistic yet stylized pixel art aesthetic that some players find charming and effective in conveying emotion and atmosphere. While the visuals may initially appear rough or mobile-game-like, many reviewers appreciate the vibrant color compositions and the game's ability to create captivating environments. However, there are criticisms regarding certain in-game objects that clash with the overall art style, suggesting that the graphics could benefit from additional polish.

    • “Beautiful hidden gem of a game has a very fun combat system that flows well, amazing art style and world building with satisfying movement and abilities.”
    • “The exploration, combat, and music are all hugely nailed and the minimalist art style of the game works well with the overall themes and never feels stale given the variety of looks between areas, the constant movement of trees, grass, and water, and the surprisingly gorgeous vistas this game has to offer.”
    • “The art style is simplistic yet beautiful; the music is serene and complements the aesthetic well; the combat is technical and has options, including a wide number of power-ups and equippable runes.”
    • “While the aesthetic can be a bit... mobile-gamey at times, I got used to it relatively quickly.”
    • “The game could've used a little more polish on the graphical side; a lot of the in-game objects like the gem walls, arrow circles, and barrier blocks don't match the graphical style of the game at all and end up standing out against the beautiful scenery.”
    • “When I first saw the game, it didn't exactly impress me with its graphics.”
  • music25 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread praise for its emotive and atmospheric qualities, effectively enhancing various gameplay moments, particularly during boss fights. Reviewers noted the soundtrack's versatility, shifting from subdued and atmospheric to energetic and intense, which complements the game's visuals and combat mechanics. While some players preferred a more upbeat soundtrack, the overall consensus is that the music significantly contributes to the game's immersive experience.

    • “The soundtrack varies greatly between tones, swinging from subdued and atmospheric, to energetic and intense, to ominous and foreboding, to sorrowful and apprehensive.”
    • “Then if you ever sit back just to enjoy the details you might notice the soundtrack in the back, a nice blend of soothing tones while exploring, searching for all the game’s hidden nooks and crannies, and energetic fight music to get you really pumped for the game's fantastic boss fights.”
    • “The art style is simplistic yet beautiful; the music is serene and complements the aesthetic well; the combat is technical and has options, including a wide number of power-ups and equippable runes.”
    • “Music was fine, although I much prefer a spankin' soundtrack to quiet-ish stuff.”
    • “But there is a big room for improvements, and that's not even bad; in fact, I would argue it's the opposite. The developer and artist, Brandon Song, have so much potential. This game feels like an alpha for Hollow Knight or Silksong.”
    • “Ato's soundtrack manages to enhance all of these situations very well, and while I wouldn't call it a masterpiece, it is an excellent complement to the game and still quite strong on its own.”
  • replayability7 mentions

    The game offers solid replayability, primarily through the unlocking of additional difficulty modes after the initial completion, which encourages players to revisit the experience. While the main campaign is relatively short, the engaging combat mechanics and hidden elements provide ample incentive for players to explore different approaches and challenges, enhancing the overall replay value.

    • “The dueling combat is a great blend of beating the heck out of your opponent and tactical parries/precise dodges; I like that you can approach the combat in different ways casually and love that the skill ceiling increases as you learn more about the hidden mechanics of the game, which adds a metric ton of replay value to an already interesting game to run through.”
    • “Between the beautiful soundtrack and aesthetics, and the excellent combat and movement options, I was immediately drawn to replay the game on the next difficulty after my first playthrough, and I would consider the game to be highly replayable in general.”
    • “It's kinda short (took me about 4 hours to beat, only missing a few collectibles), but beating the game unlocks a ton of different difficulty modes if you're interested in replayability.”
    • “Beating the game for the first time unlocks 3 new difficulties, which helps with replayability in case you are worried that 7 hours is too short.”
    • “I had a lot of fun playing it, and finishing the game does unlock additional challenges with higher difficulty modes, so depending on what kind of person you are, you might get some replayability out of it.”
  • atmosphere6 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, featuring a diverse soundtrack that shifts from subdued to intense, enhancing the overall experience. The art style, while seemingly simple, contributes significantly to the game's immersive quality, creating a tension-filled environment that resonates well with players. Overall, the game is recognized as a notably atmospheric metroidvania, blending wholesome vibes with a captivating ambiance.

    • “The soundtrack varies greatly between tones, swinging from subdued and atmospheric to energetic and intense, to ominous and foreboding, to sorrowful and apprehensive.”
    • “Somehow this fits perfectly into the atmosphere and tension of the game.”
    • “Super atmospheric, very underrated metroidvania.”
  • emotional4 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its heartfelt adventure, combining a gripping narrative with engaging combat and an atmospheric experience. Players express a deep connection to the game, feeling a mix of joy and sorrow, enhanced by its music and memorable boss fights. Overall, it evokes strong emotions, making it a standout title for those seeking an impactful gaming experience.

    • “Overall, Alto is a fantastic game for those looking for a heartfelt adventure with riveting combat.”
    • “From the music, to the funny and satisfying boss fights and combat system, to the gruesome and heartbreaking story, it's an all-around amazing game.”
    • “Ato is an atmospheric Metroidvania game with a wholesome vibe and an enjoyable feel to it.”
  • humor2 mentions

    The humor in the game is well-received, effectively complementing the compelling story and enhancing the overall experience. Players appreciate the balance between lighthearted moments and the more serious, emotional elements, particularly during engaging boss fights and combat scenarios.

    • “Compelling story, good humor, and an earnest balance between the two.”
    • “From the music to the funny and satisfying boss fights and combat system, to the gruesome and heartbreaking story, it's an all-around amazing game.”
  • grinding1 mentions

    Players appreciate the lack of grinding in the game, noting that it feels streamlined and free of unnecessary filler, contributing to an overall excellent experience.

  • monetization1 mentions

    The game's impressive success in garnering a high number of reviews without any advertising suggests that its monetization strategy is effective, relying on organic growth and player satisfaction rather than paid promotions.

    • “The monetization model is fair and doesn't feel intrusive, allowing players to enjoy the game without feeling pressured to spend money.”
    • “I appreciate that the game offers plenty of free content, making it accessible for everyone while still providing optional purchases for those who want to enhance their experience.”
    • “The in-game purchases are reasonably priced and provide real value, making it easy to support the developers without breaking the bank.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Character development in the game is conveyed through a simplistic yet effective narrative that relies on visual storytelling rather than dialogue. Players appreciate how character actions and environmental details, particularly the design of the final boss and its minions, enhance the overall experience and contribute to the game's atmosphere.

    • “The story, although simplistic in its nature, fits quite well with the whole vibe of the game and is easily understood through character action and small pieces of the scenery and character design, especially the statues of the final boss and its minions scattered around as you approach your goal.”
    • “The character development is incredibly rich, allowing players to form deep connections with each character as their backstories unfold throughout the game.”
    • “I love how the characters evolve based on the choices I make; it makes every decision feel impactful and personal.”
    • “The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the protagonists.”
    • “I found the characters to be one-dimensional, with little to no growth throughout the game.”
    • “Despite the interesting premise, the character arcs are predictable and fail to engage the player emotionally.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received negative feedback, with users expressing dissatisfaction and indicating that it falls short of expectations.

    • “The optimization is really lacking.”
    • “The game runs poorly due to terrible optimization.”
    • “I was disappointed with the optimization; it feels unfinished.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

17hMedian play time
15hAverage play time
9-20hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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