ANNO: Mutationem

 PlayStation 5
Metascore
71

Mixed or average reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. BaziCenter
    Apr 5, 2022
    90
    With extraordinary Cyberpunk world design that sucks you in from the very first moment, unique mixture of 2D and 3D gameplay, gorgeous art style, deep and diverse gameplay and exiting boss fights, ANNO: Mutationem is a true gem that is not appreciated enough, and it will not disappoint if you give it a try.
  2. God is a Geek
    Mar 17, 2022
    85
    ANNO: Mutationem is an enjoyable cyberpunk adventure with enough confident swagger to distract from its shortcomings.
  3. COGconnected
    Mar 16, 2022
    80
    ANNO: Mutationem is an audacious title that successfully merges genres. While the 3D segments aren’t as tight as its 2D counterpart, the originality shines through making this a fresh adventure. The gorgeous environment is full of character and is a joy to inhabit. However, the delivery of the narrative lacks the nuances to fully immerse. With its solid action gameplay and exciting bosses, fans of the genre will have a blast in this futuristic, cyberpunk escapade.
  5. Vandal
    Mar 25, 2022
    74
    There are some things holding it back, but overall Mutationem is a great game that we have really enjoyed.
  6. PLAY
    May 3, 2022
    70
    The game never outstays its welcome, but in addition to some spotty localisation, its promise of greatness is held back by its unpolished execution. [Issue#14, p.78]
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  7. WellPlayed
    Apr 8, 2022
    70
    I really did want to enjoy Ann’s story, it’s visually beautiful and has some clever little in-game tricks to its aesthetics. It’s just a damn shame the narrative couldn’t quite keep up, leaving ANNO: Mutationem a visually stunning but muddled, confusing game.
  8. Jeuxvideo.com
    Mar 25, 2022
    65
    With its impeccable artistic direction, ANNO: Mutationem houses an animated universe that is very pleasant to browse for its superb pixel-art in 2.5D and its bluffing depth. Too bad the storyline it houses, though prominent in experience, is so disjointed and hard to follow. The experience makes up for it with a good RPG dimension and its correct combat sequences if not fully sensational.
  9. RPGamer
    Apr 8, 2022
    60
    Despite its issues and a perplexing plot that fails to answer nearly all of its pressing questions, ANNO: Mutationem has the makings of a strong ongoing property. The mixture of 2D and 3D works nicely with its visual style, and it establishes Ann Flores as a strong protagonist well worth spending more time with. As it currently is, ANNO: Mutationem is a solid but not spectacular title and should be able to establish a fan base, with the scope to expand it in the future.
  10. Finger Guns
    Mar 16, 2022
    60
    As a cyberpunk adventure Anno: Mutationem lacks much coherent or satisfying plot but its responsive combat will stand out and entertain through its short playtime. It’s just a shame the overall package doesn’t live up to the promise of those stylish trailers.
  11. Push Square
    Mar 16, 2022
    60
    There's surprising scope in the game — you can dismantle items to get materials, which you can then combine into new weapon modules. There are side missions and mini-games, like serving cocktails to earn money. It's also kind-of open world, albeit a very small one. While the ambition is admirable, overall we feel the game comes across as quite unfocused. It's an enjoyable experience, and everything here is reasonably good, but the result is a game that doesn't really shine, save for its rainy, neon-infused aesthetic.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 21 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 21
  3. Negative: 3 out of 21
  1. Aokana
    Feb 27, 2023
    8
    I honestly didn't expect much when I bought the game but overall this a really solid game. The narrative is really good only you actually haveI honestly didn't expect much when I bought the game but overall this a really solid game. The narrative is really good only you actually have to follow the dialogue (all of it, not just the voices) and pick up and read any texts you find along the way and then you gotta put 2 and 2 together. Which is a refreshing change of pace from modern AAA games like Tales of Arise where the game is constantly dumping you with 10min story/lore scenes.

    There is side-quests to pad out the time.. but not so many of them that it overtakes the main story. They become more or less little detours and the levels are well enough designed that they allow you to explore a sub-sect of a "dungeon" but you will unlock a door or otherwise find a way to make your way back easily to a save point. This makes it feel more explore-able rather than just a winding tunnel with save points.

    So overall from a small indie dev its a solid game and deserves high marks. However you need to temper your expectations. I think what happens with a lot of small/indie dev games is people go in expecting AAA but your not going to get that since the team size and budget are so small in comparison.

    Now onto the problems... 1 - Combat. The combat is fluid enough and doesn't feel "Janky" but on the other hand it isn't exactly polished either. For example some of your combat moves overlap like theirs some unlock able kick moves but they get tied to the same attack as your heavy weapon that has similar inputs which can cause you to use a different ability than intended. These skills should have been put onto the dodge button instead.

    2 - Mistranslated text/speech...overall it's not a big issue and some of its humorous but it is present a bit more than it should be.

    3 - It just feels... like it was meant to be more. There is many aspects of the game that make it feel like they started it and then cut it off. Overall it makes the game feel like they started and then some investors pulled out or something. Prime example is the entire "Chip" socket enhancements, there's only like... a dozen chips but then a crafting and enhancing section so it feels like this was going to be a full on customization system that was cut off as it was about to hit development launch so instead of scrapping the system they just..left it there in its infantile state.

    All that said at its core it was still a fun time and that's the important part.    … Full Review »
  2. Ughhh
    Jul 21, 2022
    0
    Honestly, just dont buy this game. Its pretty cool at first, but ultimately just a waste of time. It tries to be too many things, and ends upHonestly, just dont buy this game. Its pretty cool at first, but ultimately just a waste of time. It tries to be too many things, and ends up being either boring or frustrating… Full Review »
  3. Larryhow
    Jul 18, 2022
    10
    Beautiful 2.5 cyberpunk world, great vibe, loved the character, songs, combat, 10/10.
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