Akimbot Review – Nostalgia Coaster

As a seasoned gamer with decades of gaming under my belt, I must say that Akimbot has managed to capture the essence of the action platformers I grew up playing while still infusing it with modern twists and turns. The guns themselves are a joy to handle, providing a satisfying feel and sound for each weapon, though aim assist was much-appreciated due to the sensitivity issues with a controller.

As a gamer who’s got a soft spot for the action-platformer vibe from the PS2 era, let me tell you that diving into Akimbot is like stepping back in time. I’m Exe, a disgraced bounty hunter, and my quirky drone companion Shipset are the stars of this game. We blast, leap, and navigate through stages loaded with challenges that will remind you of the good old days, particularly the iconic duo from Ratchet and Clank. A single glance at Exe’s running animation is enough to transport you to the world of PS2 platforming that pulses through the veins of Akimbot.

In this game, the story begins with the two main characters riding in a police car. Right from the start, it’s clear that the game’s tone is reminiscent of a humorous, animated TV show from Saturday morning. Although there are similarities between this game and its PlayStation 2 inspiration, Shipset is not like Clank. Instead, he comes across as a much more irritating character. The opening cinematic didn’t do much to make me like these characters, and Shipset became even more grating on my nerves the more I heard him. His sassy attitude and high-pitched voice are quite annoying. Fortunately, the solitary bounty hunter, Exe, is a lot easier to handle throughout the game’s duration.

Exe and Shipset frequently engage in playful banter during their journey. The comedy might appeal to you, depending on your personal sense of humor.

In a straightforward manner: Akimbot openly displays its witty and humorous nature without any embarrassment. The pair frequently banter while navigating treacherous platforms and blasting adversaries, with the abundance of humor evident in the numerous scenes interspersed throughout the game. However, humor is quite subjective, so I’ll share my personal viewpoint. The balance of humor was around 50/50 for me. Some jokes may appeal to players due to their timing and delivery, while others, especially those with a clever use of referential humor and breaking the fourth wall, truly shine, particularly towards the latter part of the game.

Upon adjusting to the game’s humorous atmosphere, I soon spotted an unusual problem: frequent screen splitting, or tearing. As Akimbot lacks graphical settings, I was forced to endure diagonal lines appearing across the screen whenever I adjusted the camera vertically. I played this on the PS5, and I can verify that this screen tearing problem persists in the PC version too. This tear in the visual experience is quite noticeable and detracts from the otherwise enjoyable gameplay, but at least the frame rate remains stable overall except during loading periods between areas.

Overpowering Akibot’s main obstacles (humor and screen tearing) paves the way for an exhilarating action-adventure platformer that rivals the captivating appeal of classic Ratchet and Clank games. Unlike Ratchet and Clank, or Jak and Daxter, Akibot offers a straightforward linear adventure with no intermediary hub areas or backtracking. The tutorial level might seem unassuming, but once it gets going, Akibot packs a punch, offering a thrilling ride filled with clever gameplay diversity.

Akimbot Review – Nostalgia Coaster

“Movement and shooting feel smooth and effortless, and the animations punch above their weight”

In Exe’s arsenal, there’s a wide array of tools available to you. Initially, you’ll only have a melee knife, but as you advance through the game, you’ll gain access to an automatic rifle, sniper, and rocket launcher. However, it’s important to note that only your special weapons can be upgraded, and there are four in total. You’ll find vendors strategically placed throughout each level where you can buy and upgrade these weapons periodically. Akimbot‘s weaponry is typical for the genre it belongs to, but I found the variety and controls to perfectly complement the gameplay experience.

Changing weapons feels effortless with the clever hotkey system on the controller, allowing you to swiftly switch between each one. The diverse array of enemies in Akimbot‘s game world are often vulnerable to specific types of weapons in your arsenal. The game thoughtfully disperses enemy types across the maps, compelling you to cycle through your weapons to prevent any weapon from becoming overused and tedious. You’ll find yourself switching weapons frequently due to the ‘ammo’ regenerating after a cool-down period. Health drones that fly around act as your health replenishment, evenly dispersed throughout levels. These drones not only help restore your HP but also encourage an active playstyle by requiring you to aim and shoot at them while dodging enemy fire.

In the game Akimbot, the weapons handle quite nicely, offering a satisfying sensation and sound with each use. There’s even an option for a zoom-in during quick shots for improved precision. Fortunately, aim assist is included due to the sensitivity of the controller not adjusting smoothly enough. As an action platformer, there’s plenty of jumping involved alongside the shooting, and this is where the game truly excels. The movement feels remarkably accurate and smooth, and you can easily customize the length of dodges and jumps. If you miss a platform by a small margin, Exe automatically mounts ledges, which is quite helpful. I never found the platforming in Akimbot to be tedious or unfair, which speaks volumes about its finely-tuned controls and well-designed levels.

Akimbot Review – Nostalgia Coaster

“There are plenty of puzzles found in Akimbot’s levels[/custom-quotes]

In case you’re not content with the weapon choices within Akimbot, don’t worry! There’s a variety of gameplay styles beyond the standard run-and-gun combo. The platform jumping, wall-running, and grapple-hooking offer a robust movement system that’s fun to explore throughout Akimbot’s levels. Additionally, Exe and Shipset are skillfully animated during their jumps and spins, enhancing an otherwise budget-friendly game. Doors frequently require solving one of three hacking minigames or deciphering puzzle codes to open. Some of these puzzles involve intriguing math problems and exploration to decode symbols.

In addition to the variety already mentioned, levels in the game Akimbot include shoot-em-up sequences that are unique and not previously discussed in this review. These spacecraft stages provide a fun break from the main gameplay and contribute to the game’s overall smoothness. The boss battles are well designed, with exciting area-of-effect moves and terrain that changes, effectively utilizing Exe’s equipment and mobility. Akimbot continually introduces new gameplay elements that keep the experience feeling fresh, and the 2D sprite-based brawler sequences are a standout feature. Without giving too much away, the end of the game is particularly inventive with its creative gimmicks and level design.

Akimbot Review – Nostalgia Coaster

Spacecraft series provide a refreshing change from typical run-and-gun gameplay, delivering classic, retro-style arcade entertainment.

While the game’s level design isn’t always exceptional, it can seem quite commonplace due to its generic appearance and layout, particularly in the initial stage. The overall aesthetic and visuals aren’t particularly impressive. I’m not overly fond of the persistent fog that shrouds the edges of environments, reminiscent of games from the PS1 era. The poor draw distance only serves to emphasize this. Even the few details and props scattered around don’t fully compensate for the hazy visuals. Akimbot, despite resembling a game made with Media Molecule’s Dreams engine, has some areas that could use improvement.

As I approached the concluding phases of the game “Akimbot“, I came to appreciate it despite its noticeable imperfections. The fast-paced and captivating gameplay more than compensated for Shipset’s grating dialogue or persistent screen tearing. Similarly, the generic, trope-filled storyline kept me engaged and amused throughout. “Akimbot” has a vibe of an action platformer from a past era, but it also offers unexpected instances that exceeded my nostalgic expectations.

This game was reviewed on the PlayStation 5.

2024-09-09 14:41

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