AWAKEN - Astral Blade: First Contact
- October 11, 2024
- Dark Pigeon Games
Get on SteamBionic girl Tania is assigned by her creator, Dr. Herveus to search and rescue a missing Investigation Force in the rainforest of Horace Islands where mysterious Karpas energy turns local animals and plants into aggressive mutants. Slain your foes with a wide range of combos: from fastest to slowest. Parry enemy attacks to gain an advantage, use Quick Rise ability to get back into the fight a…
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features fast-paced combat with smooth mechanics, making battles enjoyable and engaging.
- The hand-drawn art style and immersive atmosphere create a visually stunning experience.
- The game offers a decent map system with completion tracking and frequent save points, enhancing exploration.
- Boss battles can be quite challenging, leading to difficulty spikes that may frustrate players.
- Resource collection feels like a grind, and upgrades are costly, which can hinder progression.
- The game lacks clear directions and instructions, often leaving players feeling lost in the world.
- graphics9 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 22 % negative mentions
The graphics are praised for their modern quality and immersive art style, creating a captivating atmosphere throughout the game. While the visuals are generally impressive, some players note that combat effects can be overwhelming and cutscenes appear less polished compared to the overall aesthetic. Background visuals are stunning but may feel disjointed at times.
“The art style really pulls you in, and the atmosphere is immersive.”
“The atmosphere and artwork are amazing—really sets the mood for the game.”
“Art work is great and gameplay is very fresh.”
“Combat visuals can be blinding at times.”
“The only downside is that the cutscenes feel a bit basic compared to the rest of the game’s visuals.”
- gameplay6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The gameplay is praised for its fresh mechanics, particularly the satisfying parry and slow-motion dodge features. However, some users noted that the game lacks clear explanations for certain items and mechanics. Overall, the art design complements the engaging gameplay experience.
“Art work is great and gameplay is very fresh.”
“The slow motion dodge mechanic is neat.”
“Love the parry mechanic—it feels super satisfying when you time it just right.”
“The game doesn't explain some items or mechanics well.”
“The slow-motion dodge mechanic is neat.”
- story4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The story is described as interesting, particularly highlighting Tania's dual nature as part AI and part human, but it suffers from predictability and a lack of high-quality cutscenes. While the narrative is engaging, the repetitive combat and limited weapon choices detract from the overall experience.
“The story is really interesting, and Tania’s dual nature as part AI, part human is great.”
“I get why most of the cutscenes are in-engine or feel like an old-school 90s anime, but I kind of wish there were more high-quality video scenes to really bring the story moments to life.”
“The story appears to be predictable, even in the demo.”
“While the graphics and story are different, the main playstyle is very similar.”
“I understand why most of the cutscenes are in-engine or feel like an old-school 90s anime, but I kind of wish there were more high-quality video scenes to really bring the story moments to life.”
- atmosphere3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its immersive art style and top-notch execution, effectively setting the mood and enhancing the intensity of boss fights. Overall, the combination of stunning artwork and engaging ambiance creates a captivating experience for players.
“The art style really pulls you in, and the atmosphere is immersive.”
“The game’s atmosphere is top-notch, and the boss fights are intense.”
“The atmosphere and artwork are amazing—really sets the mood for the game.”
- music2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The music and sound in the game are generally considered average, with some players noting that the transitions between screens and music can be abrupt and jarring.
“The music and sound are just okay.”
“Some screen and music transitions are abrupt and jarring.”
