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 impressive visuals and a unique cyberpunk aesthetic that captivates players.
- Combat is dynamic and enjoyable, with a well-thought-out upgrade system that allows for varied playstyles.
- Despite being a solo project, the game showcases a high level of polish and creativity, making it a promising title for future updates.
- The game is relatively short and may leave players feeling like they haven't received a complete experience, especially since it is released in parts.
- Controls can be janky at times, particularly during combat and platforming, which can lead to frustrating gameplay moments.
- The story can be vague and hard to follow, with some characters and plot points introduced without sufficient context.
- story15 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The story has received mixed feedback, with some players finding it intriguing yet difficult to follow, particularly due to its reliance on radio dialogue and vague plot elements. While the characters are generally well-received and the setting is praised for its style and atmosphere, many reviewers express a desire for clearer storytelling and more finesse in execution. Overall, there is optimism for future developments in the narrative, especially as players look forward to the continuation of the story beyond the prologue.
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
- music9 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 11 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The music in the game is consistently praised, with many reviewers highlighting its quality and how well it complements the game's atmosphere and setting. Descriptions include terms like "amazing," "great soundtrack," and "10/10," indicating that the music significantly enhances the overall experience. Additionally, the soundtrack is noted for its stylishness, fitting seamlessly into the game's cyberpunk universe.
“Smooth & flashy combat, interesting level design, love the graphics & setting, complex (for me) 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 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.”
- gameplay8 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally praised for its enjoyable combat mechanics, fluid animations, and well-structured upgrade system, allowing for seamless hot swapping during play. While exploration can feel somewhat rigid, the overall experience is enhanced by easy-to-learn controls and well-paced tutorials, making it accessible for players. Minor bugs reported do not significantly detract from the overall gameplay experience.
“The upgrade/software system is well thought-out, and I like being able to hot swap in the middle of gameplay.”
“Combat is fun, mechanics and controls are easy to pick up, and the pacing of the tutorials they give you is well done.”
“I tried the demo and liked the gameplay; the hack and slash combat is so fluid and so are the animations.”
“Finished the game after a while of trying and figuring out the mechanics.”
- graphics7 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The graphics are widely praised for their fantastic quality, smooth combat animations, and engaging visual design, contributing to an overall immersive experience. Players appreciate the art style and level design, which enhance the game's exciting moments, although a minor bug was noted during a specific sequence. Overall, the visuals, combined with a compelling soundtrack, significantly elevate the game's appeal.
“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.”
“Like everything, from story, graphics, gameplay, and concept scream amazing.”
“I did encounter one bug during the bike sequence when using a special attack, and the graphics got stuck. I could no longer do anything but move the bike.”
- stability2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is generally solid, with only a few minor glitches reported that may require reloading. 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.”
“The game runs smoothly with minimal issues.”
“I experienced very few crashes, making for a stable gaming experience.”
“There were a couple of glitches that forced me to reload, but the game saves so often that they weren't much of a bother.”
“The game crashes frequently, making it nearly impossible to progress without losing significant progress.”
“I experienced constant frame drops and stuttering, which severely impacted my overall enjoyment of the game.”
