Japan Expo preview: Will this original video game between Persona 5 and Cyberpunk be necessary?

preview Japan Expo: Will this original video game between Persona 5 and Cyberpunk be unacceptable?

A small Shanghai-based studio founded in 2016, Arrowiz first worked on titles like Beats Fever, a virtual reality game reminiscent of Beat Saber, and then on Hermitage: Strange Case Files, a shocking visual novel set in Hermitage, a bookshop that attracts customers All involved in the paranormal business are on the frontier. On the basis of this second experience, The company will take on themes from its second project for its new game Mato Anomalies, which was developed with funding from the Chinese giant Tencent.. We were able to run it exclusively at the Japan Expo to discover the central mechanisms of the experiment.

Aesthetic “Between Tradition and Modernity”

So the events of Mato Anomalies take place in a new futuristic version of Shanghai, which gives a somewhat unique aspect to the city. It embodies Doe, a private investigator hired by one of his regular clients to investigate a mysterious phenomenon occurring at the docks. By inspection in container, Our hero will find himself immersed in a parallel dimension inhabited by strange creatures who do not hesitate to attack him. Fortunately, the latter was saved by Gram, an exorcist/shaman. Once out of the den, the name given to this dimension, we learn that the Nightshade, a secret organization, is using this kind of merchandise filled with Bane Tide, the name of the alien creatures, to achieve its goal. To put an end to their actions, our detective and director will collaborate with each one on a very specific mission.

Visually, Mato Anomalies attract attention thanks to their beautiful presentation. Like many Asian RPGs, The Arrowiz title uses the cel-shading method which gives an anime look to everything. If we are used to seeing this kind of technology with Japanese games, here we make use of the Chinese aesthetic that brings a breath of fresh air.. Thus we walk a fictional Shanghai that is literally “between tradition and modernity” as in the cliché, with both giant holograms a la Blade Runner, while presenting buildings with typical Chinese architecture. As for the characters, they make use of an ink style for the sweetest effect that makes them more advanced, while the scenes take the form of comic book boxes. As a result, the title takes advantage of a real character that sets it apart from other games of the same genre and thus gives it a visual identity. We also find work on the atmosphere with a soundtrack with jazz beats that give film noir a style of adventure.

How to play between Persona and Griftlands?

In terms of playability, Mato Anomalies is divided into two types of well-separated sequences. First, As we develop into Lairs, we are directed to cross Bane Tide that only Gram can encounter. These stages take the form of classic turn-based combat, with basic attacks and skills that can only be used after being recharged. There is nothing special about this aspect because we were only able to play at the beginning of the match and we fought only with Gram. However, it is clear that as one progresses in the adventure, new mechanics and new companions will be added to the collection.

Once out of the Lairs, we find ourselves in control of Doe who can talk to people on the street, leading to dialogues with multiple options. Inevitably, on the part of the private investigator, we imagine that this choice of answers will have significance later in the story. more interesting, It’s sometimes possible to “hack” the mind of someone who doesn’t want to respond to you using Sky Eye, the Gram assistant. Then this kind of sequence takes the form of a blackjack During which the player must overcome the inner demons of his interlocutor while weakening his soul. To do this, we have four cards and three actions per turn, and each card has attack and defense points as well as of course different effects. Inevitably, this refers to discussions of Griftlands, the latest Klei game (Mark of the Ninja, Don’t Starve, Oxygen Not Included…) which is based on a similar system. Anyway, these stages bring a bit of variety and thus should gain in complexity as one progresses.

Mato Anomalies is slated to release in 2023 on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, and Switch.