I was not prepared for the sheer fun Akimbot was when I played it at PAX West. When I asked what the developer’s inspiration was for this game they said the goal was to revive that nostalgic PS2 action-platformer, and they’ve achieved that splendidly. The gameplay and art style clearly celebrate the genre’s golden age.
I spent about 15-20 mins playing the demo, and it was a non-stop thrill ride. The story-driven narrative, intense action, and colorful world kept me engaged throughout. As the robot protagonist, Exe, I was immediately thrown into the conflict with a variety of weapons like fire, acid, and electricity. I quickly learned that certain weapons were more effective against specific enemies, indicated by their shield color.
While I appreciated the color-coded system, I’m concerned about accessibility for colorblind players. I didn’t get to play around with any settings so maybe they already have accessibility options built in. If not, a few ways they could help mitigate this option would be customizable options that give word prompts or have each shield a specific shape for each weapon type.
As I progressed, I learned that we were trying to break into a facility. In order to do this, the gameplay introduced hacking mini-games, like pressing the correct button or a “snake” game. It provided a welcome break from all the action and fit seamlessly into the story.
After a few deaths, I found myself strategically using cover and taking advantage of enemy weaknesses to overcome challenges. The ability to regain health from specific defeated enemies was especially helpful for less experienced players like myself. I thoroughly enjoyed the diverse platforming challenges, such as leaping between floating platforms and grappling towards enemy mobs. Despite my initial personal controller struggles, I ultimately triumphed over the final boss and proved my platforming abilities!
Throughout the demo, I couldn’t shake the feeling that Akimbot had a Borderlands-esque vibe. The humorous character dialogue, action-packed areas with plenty of explosions, and even the vehicle segments created a familiar yet exciting experience. I’m eager to grapple deeper into the story and challenge myself with more platforming adventures in the full game! Akimbot is available now on PC, PS5, and Xbox X|S.
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