Axiom of Maria: Prologue
- February 6, 2024
- Studio Ganzheit
Get on Steam"Axiom of Maria: Prologue" is an action-adventure game set in a post-apocalyptic Seoul, where Kay, a former military instructor, battles the 15th AI Squadron to protect her family. Gameplay features fast-paced swordplay and motorbike action, with enemies primarily using guns and the protagonist wielding a reactive sword. The story explores themes of population decline, epidemic, and the concept of death as migration to a virtual world called Beyond.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features fantastic visuals and a unique cyberpunk aesthetic that captivates players.
- Combat is dynamic and enjoyable, with a well-thought-out upgrade system that allows for strategic gameplay.
- Despite being a prologue, the game delivers a charming and entertaining experience, showcasing the potential for future chapters.
- The game is misleadingly marketed as a complete product when it is actually just a prologue, leaving players feeling unsatisfied.
- Controls can be janky and unresponsive at times, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences.
- The story is vague and hard to follow, with sudden character introductions that can confuse players.
- story30 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The story has received mixed feedback, with some players finding it intriguing yet complex and difficult to follow, particularly due to its presentation through radio dialogue. While the characters are well-voiced and the setting is praised for its style and atmosphere, many reviewers express hope for clearer storytelling in future installments, as this is only the prologue. Overall, the narrative shows potential but may require more finesse to fully engage players.
“Smooth & flashy combat, interesting level design, love the graphics & setting, complex but very interesting story and amazing music.”
“Good level design, interesting characters, compelling story, a great soundtrack and the combat has a good variety of moves and strategy too.”
“The main plot is intriguing and interesting to follow.”
“The plot is vague and hard to follow, although the characters do have enjoyable personalities; props to the voice actors for bringing Mr. Jeong and the principal to life.”
“There is some jank (especially the motorbike section feels floaty) and the plot is mostly happening via radio, making it hard for me to fully grasp and engage with during my first playthrough.”
“The story lost a bit in translation, sadly.”
- music18 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 28 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received high praise, with many reviewers highlighting it as a standout feature that complements the game's atmosphere and setting. While some noted that the music can feel offbeat at times, the overall consensus is that the soundtrack is excellent, enhancing the experience with its stylish and engaging composition. Many players rated the music a perfect 10/10, emphasizing its integral role in the game's immersive world.
“Smooth & flashy combat, interesting level design, love the graphics & setting, complex (for me) but very interesting story and amazing music.”
“Music is 10/10 and feels perfect in the world of AOM.”
“The music was a bit offbeat, as was the English voice acting.”
“It's the first time I'm playing a cyberpunk video game and the story is quite hard to follow, but I am totally surprised by the universe, the soundtrack, and the badass lady we are lucky to control.”
“Incredibly stylish action game with some neat story hooks and a sweet soundtrack.”
- gameplay16 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 31 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally well-received, featuring a well-designed upgrade system and enjoyable combat mechanics that are easy to learn. While exploration can feel somewhat rigid at times, the fluid hack-and-slash combat and polished animations enhance the overall experience. Minor bugs reported do not significantly detract from the gameplay, and the tutorial pacing is effectively managed.
“Combat is fun, mechanics and controls are easy to pick up, and the pacing of the tutorials they give you is well done.”
“Finished the game after a while of trying and figuring out the mechanics.”
“The upgrade/software system is well thought-out, and I like being able to hot swap in the middle of gameplay.”
“I tried the demo and liked the gameplay; the hack and slash combat is so fluid and so are the animations.”
- graphics14 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received high praise for their fantastic visuals, smooth and flashy combat, and overall artistic design. Players appreciate the engaging level design and the vibrant art style, which contribute to an exciting gameplay experience. However, there was a mention of a bug affecting the graphics during a specific sequence, which slightly detracted from the otherwise impressive visual presentation.
“The visuals are fantastic, both the graphics on display and overall visual design.”
“Smooth & flashy combat, interesting level design, love the graphics & setting, complex (for me) but very interesting story and amazing music.”
“An interesting title which can have very exciting moments as the visuals and actions flow at a breakneck pace, really anticipating the final product and the further expanding combat.”
“I did encounter one bug during the bike sequence when using a special attack and the graphics got stuck and I could no longer do anything but move the bike.”
- stability4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is generally solid, with only a few minor glitches reported that may require reloading. However, frequent auto-saves mitigate the impact of these issues, leading to a mostly smooth experience.
“There are a few bugs, but it is not a buggy game.”
