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The Axis Unseen

78%Game Brain Score
gameplay, music
optimization, replayability
83% User Score Based on 352 reviews
Critic Score 55%Based on 1 reviews

Platforms

PCPCWindowsWindowsSteam DeckSteam Deck
Buy Nowfrom $14.30
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About

In "The Axis Unseen," a heavy metal horror game, explore a mysterious open world to hunt nightmarish monsters from ancient folklore, gaining their powers and elemental arrows. As you traverse the eerie landscape, beware that you may become the hunted. Critics have praised it as a unique indie game, comparing it to Skyrim with a darker, scarier twist. If you have an AMD card, ensure you reinstall drivers without the optional Radeon software to avoid startup crashes.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
The Axis Unseen screenshot
The Axis Unseen screenshot
The Axis Unseen screenshot
The Axis Unseen screenshot
The Axis Unseen screenshot
The Axis Unseen screenshot
The Axis Unseen screenshot
The Axis Unseen screenshot
The Axis Unseen screenshot
The Axis Unseen screenshot
The Axis Unseen screenshot
+18

83%
Audience ScoreBased on 353 reviews
gameplay47 positive mentions
replayability3 negative mentions
  • The game features a stunning open world with beautiful graphics and a unique atmosphere that immerses players in a haunting environment.
  • The combat mechanics, particularly the bow and arrow system, are engaging and rewarding, allowing for various play styles and strategies.
  • The developer is highly responsive to community feedback and actively updates the game, showcasing a commitment to improving the player experience.
  • The game suffers from optimization issues, requiring a powerful computer to run smoothly, and players have reported crashes and bugs.
  • The AI of the monsters can be inconsistent, leading to frustrating encounters where enemies behave unpredictably or get stuck in the environment.
  • The lack of a map or clear navigation system can make exploration tedious, causing players to get lost or miss important objectives.
  • gameplay
    158 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "The Axis Unseen" is a mixed bag, with players praising its immersive atmosphere, unique monster designs, and engaging stealth-oriented archery mechanics, while also criticizing its mechanics as simplistic and at times frustrating. Many found the exploration and RPG elements rewarding, but noted issues with enemy AI, confusing UI, and a lack of depth in combat mechanics. Overall, while the game offers a compelling world to explore, its gameplay may not hold the attention of all players, particularly those seeking more refined mechanics.

    • “Its atmosphere is sublime, the monster design is top tier, the gameplay is the most immersive I've played in years.”
    • “The gameplay loop is fun, feels good, and is consistent in both evolution and difficulty curve -- you'll always feel challenged, and you'll always feel accomplished in besting those challenges.”
    • “The stealth-oriented archery gameplay is a lot of fun and the game's open world has a great aesthetic to it, even if it is a pain to navigate without a map.”
    • “The concept and world at its core has a lot going for it, but the gameplay simply does not hold my attention.”
    • “My first impression of The Axis Unseen was that it was a gorgeous game, with exceptional sound design and music, that has boring, basic gameplay (and some jank).”
    • “The gameplay loop was rather basic and boring in my opinion, especially as monsters got caught on rocks and trees.”
  • music
    100 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in "The Axis Unseen" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its heavy metal soundtrack for enhancing the game's atmosphere and action, while others feel it doesn't fully deliver on the heavy metal promise, describing it as tame or repetitive. The soundtrack is often highlighted as a standout feature, contributing to the game's unique ambiance, though some players noted issues with its integration and mixing within the game. Overall, while fans of metal music appreciate the soundtrack, its appeal may vary for those less inclined towards the genre.

    • “We are thrust into the world of Axis Unseen through a unique introduction set to some fantastic music, one of the stars of this game.”
    • “The metal soundtrack perfectly complements the on-screen action, elevating the overall experience.”
    • “Amazing atmosphere and music, massive world, and an unbelievable amount of content considering this was developed by a solo dev!”
    • “The music is mediocre and nothing special; the set pieces, while cool, are unpolished and the whole experience feels like something just launched into early access with tools from the marketplace thrown together with custom artwork.”
    • “For being advertised as a heavy metal game, it really felt nothing like that at all; the music was pretty tame even in combat, so much so I wouldn't even call it metal, let alone heavy metal.”
    • “I'm not sure if the music is being properly mixed into the game, or if there are some other considerations that were missed when integrating it, because I don't think it hits quite like it should.”
  • graphics
    85 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning visuals, atmospheric lighting, and unique art style, showcasing a high level of detail and creativity, especially for an indie title developed primarily by one person. However, many users report significant optimization issues, leading to crashes and inconsistent performance even on high-end systems, which detracts from the overall experience. While the aesthetic is generally well-received, some players feel that the visuals cannot compensate for gameplay shortcomings and UI problems.

    • “The atmosphere, graphic style, and sound design of this game are incredible.”
    • “Absolutely love the visuals and scale of everything -- very atmospheric and unnerving.”
    • “The amount of content you will find in this game is truly impressive, especially for having been developed mostly by one person. The graphics and visual fidelity are completely astounding, especially the lighting.”
    • “I had to change it to simple graphics just to get the lackluster intro to work properly, and the game crashed the second it was done.”
    • “Also, the graphics and performance were pretty bad. My PC is well above the recommended specs, and at max graphics, it looked kind of meh and had very inconsistent frame rates. This is something that has potential for improvement but is currently lacking.”
    • “Broken, horrible graphics, poorly optimized; they have fall damage in a movement game... horrendous UI.”
  • atmosphere
    80 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised as its standout feature, characterized by a unique blend of eerie, immersive, and captivating elements that enhance the overall experience. Reviewers highlight the impressive graphics, sound design, and a sense of scale that encourages exploration, often drawing comparisons to horror titles. While the atmosphere is lauded, some critiques mention that gameplay mechanics could be improved to match the atmospheric depth.

    • “The atmosphere, graphic style, and sound design of this game are incredible.”
    • “Its atmosphere is sublime, the monster design is top tier, the gameplay is the most immersive I've played in years.”
    • “Some come out mostly at night, which is dark and oppressive and has a truly terrifying atmosphere at times.”
    • “While the dark atmosphere is effective in setting the mood, a brightness adjustment or a way to illuminate surroundings would make it more enjoyable without compromising the ambiance.”
    • “The atmosphere is thick with dread, and the game does a remarkable job of keeping you on edge without resorting to cheap scares.”
  • story
    41 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story is primarily conveyed through environmental storytelling and in-game journals, creating an immersive experience that encourages exploration and personal interpretation. Players appreciate the absence of traditional quest structures, allowing them to uncover lore at their own pace while navigating a vast, hostile world. The narrative is described as indirect and atmospheric, enhancing the overall tension and mystery of the gameplay.

    • “Even the in-game journals showcase some brilliant storytelling.”
    • “The story’s eerie tone, combined with its strong sense of isolation, makes every moment feel significant.”
    • “As you move through its dark, enigmatic world, you’ll uncover pieces of the story through the environment and interactions with your surroundings.”
    • “It's much more gameplay focused with a story that's mostly told indirectly and second hand.”
    • “- existing lore but no actual utilization of story.”
    • “☐ no story”
  • optimization
    39 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues, including frequent crashes and inconsistent frame rates, even on high-end systems. While some users have experienced smoother gameplay after adjustments, others have noted that the graphics settings can conflict, leading to further complications. Overall, the game shows potential but requires substantial optimization improvements to enhance the player experience.

    • “The scenery looks great and seems well optimized, the enemy designs are perfect for what the game is going for, the sound design is great at building tension, unique bow mechanics, scarce hand-holding, AI is able to track your footsteps and smell depending on wind direction and walking on dirt vs rock, which I find perfect for this game.”
    • “I had some performance issues early on but now it runs pretty smooth. I would recommend having more RAM than 16 GB as I noticed choppier frame timings with 32 GB. Even if I crank the max settings and it's running in the 40 FPS range, it feels like a smoother and more fluid experience.”
    • “Performance has been excellent for me thus far, and the graphics have a cool stylized look to them without veering into cartoonish.”
    • “This game is horribly un-optimized, and feels horrible to play if you do get it to work.”
    • “However, after almost 2 hours playing the game, all the good I've seen has been overshadowed by major performance issues (dips to 15-20fps even with DLSS performance mode on) and crashes to desktop due to fatal errors in the game engine (max settings, potato mode doesn't matter) about every 10-20 minutes.”
    • “Also, the graphics and performance were pretty bad; my PC is well above the recommended specs, and at max graphics, it looked kind of mediocre and had very inconsistent frame rates. This is something that has potential for improvement but is currently lacking.”
  • humor
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is often derived from its janky mechanics, reminiscent of Bethesda's notorious bugs, which can lead to comical situations like respawning directly into danger. Players find the blend of stylistic elements and unexpected challenges amusing, particularly when navigating the game on harder difficulty settings. Overall, the humor is characterized by a lighthearted acknowledgment of the game's quirks and the absurdity of certain gameplay moments.

    • “It's a bit hilarious that a former dev on Skyrim and Fallout under Bethesda, a company almost renowned for their buggy releases, would have some of their own Bethesda-style bugs show up in their game.”
    • “Stylistically, it's like a thief-class from Skyrim took something 'funny' and went hunting for cryptozoological prey inside Zeno Clash.”
    • “I don't want to reveal any spoilers, so I can't share my hilarious experience so far and just say: starting on hard mode isn't for the faint of heart, lol.”
  • stability
    9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's stability is generally solid, with most players reporting no major glitches, crashes, or significant bugs. However, some users have noted minor jankiness reminiscent of Bethesda titles, though these issues are not widespread. The game performs well on various platforms, including high-end PCs and the Steam Deck, contributing to a positive overall experience.

    • “I have seen no glitches, bugs, or crashes; I have not fallen into the void or discovered any floating rocks or hollow mountains. All good so far.”
    • “Overall a great experience; it runs great on the Steam Deck as well (especially considering it's a UE5 game). I easily recommend it to anyone who is a fan of hunting games or open worlds.”
    • “The graphics are gorgeous and it runs great on a 3060.”
    • “Some jankiness: it's a bit hilarious that a former dev on Skyrim and Fallout under Bethesda, a company almost renowned for their buggy releases, would have some of their own Bethesda-style bugs show up in their game.”
    • “There are a few frustrating glitches here and there, but the developer is really helpful and actively responds to players with questions.”
    • “Some jankiness: it's a bit hilarious that a former dev on Skyrim and Fallout under Bethesda, a company almost renowned for their buggy releases, would have some of their own Bethesda-style bugs show up in their game.”
  • replayability
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game offers a compelling narrative and an eerie world that encourage revisits, but many players feel it falls short of being truly endlessly replayable, leaving a sense of frustration about its untapped potential.

    • “Replayability: while The Axis Unseen isn’t a long game, its eerie world and intriguing narrative offer a compelling reason to revisit.”
    • “Replayability is lacking; once you've experienced the story, there's little incentive to go back.”
    • “The game feels repetitive on subsequent playthroughs, diminishing the excitement of exploration.”
  • grinding
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game excessively time-consuming, often requiring a significant investment of time to collect necessary items due to the lack of navigational aids like a map or compass. This can make the experience feel tedious and overwhelming, detracting from the overall enjoyment of exploration.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “It's very easy to miss the things you need to collect as there is no map. Fair enough, they want you to explore this massive map as part of the game, but not even a compass or anything similar makes it very tedious.”

55%Critics’ scoreBased on 1 critic reviews

Buy The Axis Unseen

2h Median play time
2h Average play time
2-2h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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