Yesterday was the final day of Aniimo’s latest global closed beta test. The free-to-play game (when it releases) is a new but familiar take on the creature-catching and fighting MMORPG genre. It is also a visual eye-catcher. We were offered the chance to participate in this beta, so I spent a little time with it – not as much as I would have liked, but enough to get a general feel for it.
The most important thing about this game for me is just how beautiful it is. This is really about the trailer and other promotional content telling the truth. Things went surprisingly well for me too, considering the high quality of the graphics.
The other surprising thing was the game’s character creation. For a leisurely creature collecting game, it’s pretty sturdy. The game allows players to customize their character’s face and hair using numerous slider settings. Then of course there is makeup and clothing. Players can even customize individual sections of the character’s hair, making it really easy to create something that’s unique to them. Por supuesto, the clothes are less unique in the beginning. But you’ll soon be purchasing some outfit sets and individual pieces can be swapped out to create an outfit all your own.
En cuanto a la jugabilidad…let’s just say the small starting area doesn’t really convey how big the world you’ll be playing in is. But what it does do is give you a quick introduction to the basics of gameplay and set up the story. Aniimo’s story is different from most other games I’ve played because it’s slower paced.
It introduces the mystery and at least some of the antagonists fairly quickly, but unlike other games you won’t be going full action. There is a brief encounter that lasts long enough to introduce you to a special Aniimo who will accompany you on your quest. Once that’s sorted out, things slow down a bit as the other characters acknowledge that you have no real training or knowledge and need to learn something before setting out to face any villains. (Sin embargo, that doesn’t stop old Aniimo from contacting you.)
al principio, your task is to get to know Idyll and its residents. And you will do this once you have received a general orientation and your academy uniform. You’re immediately out there, exploring the vast open areas, completing quests and meeting (and catching) lots of unique creatures.
Each Aniimo you add to your collection has more uses than just fighting. Each of them allows you to “lace up” with them – which basically means you take over their bodies to use their abilities. This way you move around the game’s map a lot. Do you need to fly or climb walls? The flying squirrel looking Celestis is exactly what you need. Do you want to set something on fire? The Emberpup or its fiery evolutions are exactly what you are looking for. Once you’ve tamed a creature, bonding with it is fairly easy. You don’t even have to worry about having the bag you need for certain activities like flying, swimming and climbing. It makes getting around easy and fun and is one of my favorite things about the game.
para ser justo, I didn’t get to spend as much time with the game as I would have liked. Therefore I can use many features of the game, como: B. the personal mobile homes, gardening and the like, do not judge. What I can tell you is that the game is relaxing… maybe too relaxing at times. It’s a vibrant, pretty world with relaxing music and lots of open places to explore. It also seems to take allowing the player to be themselves very seriously.
As for the community stuff. You will be able to see and interact with other players. And even if you choose not to interact directly, you can leave messages for others. Most of the messages I came across were helpful little hints and the like.
Considerándolo todo, based on my experience, I’ll still be keeping an eye on Aniimo and waiting to get back in when it hits the market.