Axiom of Maria: Prologue

Recommending this as an impressive game from a small dev that punches above its weight and hits its marks for the most part. I'm looking forward to a more fleshed-out experience in the follow up. The visuals are fantastic, both the graphics on display and overall visual design. The cyberpunk influences are obvious but it has its own distinct twists on the formula. There were quite a few spots I stopped to just rotate the camera and take in the scene, and a couple of eye-popping set pieces in the end. The music was a bit offbeat, as was the English voice acting. The performers were fine (and pro actors) but the directing was maybe a little quirky - if anything it added to the overall charm. Combat is fun but takes some getting used to compared to other hack-and-slash games, to me it feels a lot like Shinobi and Kunoichi on PS2 without the aerial moves (for the most part). Fights can play out pretty differently depending on the powers you have equipped, especially the larger hordes and bosses in the last act. There were a couple of glitches that forced me to reload but the game saves so often they weren't much of a bother. I don't really factor price vs playtime in my purchases but knowing it's a big deal to some, I'll say the game IS pretty short - I saw credits in less than 5 hours and I wasn't exactly rushing. With the power-ups you acquire, initially it seems like a metroidvania but you only use them a few times at most. On the other hand, a time attack mode did unlock after I rolled credits, and there are a few achievements left to hunt.

Axiom of Maria: Prologue, developed and published by Studio Ganzheit, is a short but ambitious action-adventure title that blends fast-paced combat with a cyberpunk narrative centered on artificial intelligence, memory, and loss. Set in a deserted futuristic Seoul governed entirely by AI systems, the game introduces a world where humanity has largely retreated or been displaced, leaving machines to maintain both the physical environment and a digital space that preserves the consciousness of the dead. Players take on the role of Kay, a former combat instructor drawn into a conflict that is both deeply personal and tied to the larger fate of this fractured world. The gameplay is built around responsive, close-quarters combat that emphasizes timing, movement, and precision. Kay’s primary weapon is a sword, and encounters are designed to encourage aggressive play rather than passive defense. One of the standout mechanics involves deflecting incoming gunfire, turning enemy attacks into opportunities for counteraction. This creates a rhythm where players must remain constantly aware of their surroundings, balancing offense and defense in quick succession. As players grow more comfortable with the system, combat begins to feel fluid and rewarding, especially when chaining movements and attacks together in a seamless flow. While the mechanics are not overly complex, they provide enough depth to keep engagements engaging throughout the experience. The game also introduces moments of variety through alternate gameplay segments, such as sequences involving high-speed traversal or combat while in motion. These sections attempt to break up the standard combat loop and add a sense of scale to the world. While they provide a welcome change of pace, they do not always feel as polished as the core mechanics, occasionally lacking the same level of responsiveness or refinement. Even so, they contribute to the overall pacing by preventing the experience from becoming too repetitive within its relatively short runtime. Narratively, Axiom of Maria: Prologue aims to establish a layered and emotionally driven story. Kay’s journey is framed by her desire to reconnect with her lost family, a personal goal that intersects with the broader themes of artificial intelligence and the ethics of digital existence. The world itself is filled with hints of a larger conflict, including the role of the AI system that governs both life and death. While the premise is intriguing and offers strong potential, the story feels somewhat fragmented due to the limited scope of the prologue. Key ideas are introduced but not fully explored, leaving certain aspects underdeveloped and creating a sense that the narrative is only partially realized. Visually, the game presents a striking interpretation of a cyberpunk setting. Neon-lit environments, abandoned cityscapes, and futuristic design elements combine to create a world that feels both desolate and technologically advanced. Character designs are distinctive, and the overall aesthetic reflects a clear artistic vision. The presentation is further enhanced by a soundtrack that shifts between energetic and atmospheric, supporting both the intensity of combat and the quieter, more reflective moments of the story. Despite some rough edges, the visual and audio design work together to create a cohesive and memorable atmosphere. However, the game does show signs of its smaller development scope. Controls can occasionally feel inconsistent, particularly during more demanding sequences, and there are moments where movement lacks the precision needed for a fully polished experience. Technical issues such as minor bugs or performance inconsistencies may also appear, disrupting the flow at times. These shortcomings do not completely undermine the experience, but they highlight areas where further refinement would significantly improve the overall quality. The pacing is uneven but still engaging. The game alternates between story-driven segments and action sequences, though the balance between the two is not always seamless. Some sections lean heavily on exposition without much player interaction, while others move quickly into combat without sufficient buildup. Given the short length of the prologue, this uneven pacing is more noticeable, as there is limited time for the game to fully settle into a consistent rhythm. Ultimately, Axiom of Maria: Prologue succeeds as a proof of concept that showcases a strong foundation and a clear creative direction. Its combat system is engaging, its world is visually compelling, and its narrative premise holds significant promise. At the same time, its limited scope, technical imperfections, and partially developed story prevent it from feeling like a complete experience. It stands as an introduction to a larger vision rather than a fully realized title, offering a glimpse of what could become a much more substantial and polished game in the future. Rating: 8/10

액션 어드벤쳐 게임입니다. 빠른 액션에 편의성 시스템으로 길찾기도 쉽게 되어 있어서 무난하게 클리어 했습니다. 전투 자체는 유저가 조작한다는 느낌보다는 슈트의 능력으로 빠르게 쓸어버리는 느낌이 강했습니다. 중간 중간에 숨겨진 템도 있어서 강화도 되구요. 스킬 강화 방식은 나쁘지 않았습니다. 다 무난하게 깼지만... 마지막 보스는... 마지막 보스의 경우 다른거 다 빼고 캐릭을 따라서 회전하는 다리가 문제였습니다. 무슨 방향으로 움직여도 쫓아오는데다 히트박스까지 가지고 있어서 좀만 스쳐도 타격받아서 뭘 못하구요. 게임이긴 해도 유저 움직임과 동일한 다리 움직임은... 특정 상황 아니면 공격조차 불가능하더군요. 더빙과 한글이 다 나온건 좋았습니다. 액션 어드벤쳐 좋아하는 분들이라면 한번쯤 해보는것도 나쁘지 않은거 같습니다.

another one game that could be great cool story line great idea with upgrade system awesome visual and totally awful controls and enemies. 1. Schrodinger Impact - u see it, u see attack movement. but I really have hard time with understanding did I even hit the mobs? 2. Bosses - no, U don't find another one portion of sponge boss like things...but u really quickly find out that bosses will damage u even when they stunned. Or the cinematically cool animation of sliding under tank will finish with a ton of damage just because this affects u, and not the tank. Like the one half is working properly and the other half don't give a ♥♥♥♥ about that and just rides over u. 3. Parkour only where it is allowed. Not all moves. U can wallrun where ever u want. But wall jump only in special places. Same ♥♥♥♥ with climb over the obstacles. Its a nice try for an indie dev. But it's completely broken in some aspects. In the future projects don't skip the QA or at least F&F part of development.

[h1][b]■韓国産スタイリッシュアクション[/b][/h1] 韓国の個人開発者によるアクション作品。 短髪女性主人公が刀を武器に潜入任務に臨む。 回想や無線での会話等でストーリーも描かれる。 長々と操作を中断させることはないためテンポが良い。 現時点ではプロローグであり、チャプター1を制作中とのこと。 完成度が高く、本編が楽しみである。 [h1][b]■その他[/b][/h1] ・エンディングまで3時間30分かかった（うまい人は1、2時間短縮できそう） ・要所にスキップ可能な戦闘チュートリアルがある ・現状英語と韓国語ボイスのみだが、日本語ボイスも入れたいとのこと。 ・難易度設定は5段階 Very Easy、Easy、Normal (デフォルト)、Difficult、Very Difficult ・セーブはセーブポイントにて行う ・BGMもスタイリッシュ [code][url=https://store.steampowered.com/curator/31194080]Steamキュレーターのフォローをお願いします[/url][/code] [h1][b]プレイ動画[/b][/h1] https://youtu.be/ugpQASQG5wM

컨셉 좋고 퍼즐 난이도도 높지 않고 액션도 시원시원하고 좋습니다. 다만 3D 멀미로 오래 붙잡고 할 수가 없네요ㅠㅜ

It's not terrible, but I can't really recommend. This is a small game made by a small team and it's filled with equal amount of the kind of charm and clank that you don't really see in bigger projects. It has vibes of the PS2 era when developers were still exploring what they can do with the whole new third dimension. The scene designs can be quite cool and the voice acting is top notch, but combat is something you'll be glad doesn't take that much time. Overall, it's something you might want to check out, but only if you know exactly what you're getting into.

Gostei bastante do jogo, principalmente pela temática futurística assim como a música que combinam. Por ser prologue entendi ser curtinho, infelizmente a vontade de ter mais e mais é grande agora! Uma pena o desenvolvedor não colocar uma legenda em português, mesmo que eu entenda bem o inglês seria bom para a ampla galera já que a história é boa, cativa, intriga e da o gostinho de quero mais. Fora isso só tive alguns momentos perto do final que ficava travada a personagem sem se mover ou então no trecho da moto que após uma fala ficou preso no túnel (ambos dando load resolveu). Só me frustrei por perder os pontos que servem para abrir mais espaço e adicionar todos os "memory". É o tipo de jogo que você tem que vasculhar e coletar tudo antes de ir pra próxima área. Enfim, é um ótimo jogo, gostei da feição do rosto da Kay falando e dublagem (seja coreano ou inglês) achei boas demais, espero um dia sair uma versão completa, comprarei com certeza!

I'm hard-locked after the part where Maria goes into the server room, there is a door that the scan shows where to go, but it is closed. I looked around for a bit and nothing. I'll have to leave a negative review until further notice.

Overall a very interesting game and a worthwhile experience. The gameplay is most similar to Nier: Automata/Replicant, or you could describe it as a simpler version of Bayonetta or Devil May Cry (for me, a plus, since I'm not good at either game). My favorite part is the soundtrack, it's one of the few games that had me looking up the soundtrack immediately after (and noticing that it's free to download!). I also really enjoyed the look of the game: cyberpunk Seoul is a fantastic environment to run around in, the animations are fluid, and the combat has a lot of flair (even moreso if you're good at fighting games like these). The plot promises a lot in one or more future installments, you aren't given resolution on much of anything in just this one game. It is just a prologue, as the title says, and a relatively short one. There is definitely a foundation for a compelling story, though. The dialogue between characters has some nice moments and some generic moments, the good voice acting also helps a lot. This is a really impressive game, especially considering it was made by just one developer, and I'm looking forward to the next chapter.