Akimbot, developed by Evil Raptor and published by Plaion, attempts to capture the essence of classic 3D action-adventure platformers, blending nostalgia with modern gameplay elements. This blend is both a strength and a weakness, as the game delivers a vibrant, chaotic journey through a robot-filled galaxy while struggling with some of the same issues that plagued its predecessors. Here’s our review.
The game’s premise sets the stage for an intergalactic adventure filled with robot armies, explosive combat, and a quest to save the universe. You play as Exe, an outlawed robot, joined by his unlikely sidekick, Shipset, in a battle against the nefarious Evilware. The narrative kicks off with an exciting prison break sequence and quickly escalates into a galaxy-spanning adventure. The story, while engaging, follows a fairly predictable path and has more than a few Ratchet and Clank vibes, relying on familiar tropes of the genre. However, it’s the dynamic between Exe and Shipset that adds a layer of charm to the experience, providing moments of humor and camaraderie that help drive the action forward.
Gameplay in Akimbot is fast-paced and packed with variety, as you’ll be jumping, sprinting, and blasting your way through beautifully designed environments. The platforming mechanics are tight, with controls that feel responsive and fluid, allowing you to pull off satisfying combos of wall-running, double-jumping, and grappling. The game’s levels are designed with verticality in mind, encouraging exploration and rewarding players with hidden collectibles and upgrades. However, the difficulty can spike unexpectedly, particularly in sections where precision is key, which may frustrate some players.
Combat is another area where Akimbot shines, offering a diverse arsenal of weapons and upgrades that can be customized to suit your playstyle. From rapid-fire blasters to powerful rocket launchers, the game gives you plenty of tools to decimate the various robot enemies you’ll encounter. The real-time combat system is smooth, with a good mix of melee and ranged options, but it can sometimes feel repetitive as you progress through the game. Despite the wide variety of enemies, the lack of significant differences in combat strategies can lead to a sense of monotony during longer play sessions.
Visually, Akimbot is a treat. The game’s vibrant, colorful art style is reminiscent of the classic platformers of the PS2 era, but with detailed environments and character models that pop with personality. Each planet you visit has a distinct look and feel, from lush alien jungles to industrial robot factories, creating a visually diverse experience that keeps things fresh. The game’s audio design complements the visuals well, with a punchy soundtrack that amps up the energy during combat and well-crafted sound effects that enhance the overall immersion. However, the voice acting, while generally solid, occasionally dips in quality ever so slightly when compared to Ratchet and Clank’s latest adventure, with some lines feeling a bit flat or overacted.
The ability to upgrade and modify your weapons, as well as unlock new abilities for Exe, adds a layer of depth to the gameplay. Collecting Botcoins (what’s in a name?) and discovering hidden chests provide ample motivation to explore every nook and cranny of the game’s levels. Additionally, the game’s environments are highly destructible, which not only looks cool but also ties into the game’s mechanics in fun and creative ways, as you can uncover secrets and gain an advantage in combat by strategically blowing up parts of the environment.
However, the game’s pacing can feel uneven at times, with some sections dragging on longer than necessary. And the story, while serviceable, doesn’t quite reach the emotional heights or narrative complexity of some of its peers, making it more of a backdrop to the action rather than a driving force. Additionally, while the game’s visual style is charming, it can occasionally feel cluttered, with so much happening on-screen that it can be difficult to keep track of the action, especially during more intense combat sequences.
In conclusion, Akimbot is a solid entry in the 3D action-adventure platformer genre, offering a fun, nostalgic experience with enough modern twists to keep it engaging. Its vibrant visuals, fast-paced gameplay, and customization options make it a worthwhile play for fans of the genre, even if it falls short in a few areas. If you enjoy the games that inspired it, then Akimbot is an easy recommendation.
Score: 7.0/10
Press Play Media 