Artis Impact
" Charming turn-based RPG with beautiful pixel art and rich world-building but unbalanced combat "
Artis Impact Review
Artis Impact is a visually stunning and uniquely charming RPG Maker game developed by a solo developer that blends pixel art with manga-style animations to create a cozy, immersive world. Players control Akane, a whimsical protagonist navigating a dystopian setting mixed with slice-of-life and adventure elements. The game offers a rich amount of side content, quirky NPC interactions, and life-sim mechanics, which many players found delightful and rewarding.
However, the game faces criticism for its unbalanced and sometimes confusing combat system, abrupt and underdeveloped story conclusion, and lack of clear quest guidance. Players often described the gameplay as grindy and felt the narrative was incomplete, with many story threads left unresolved. Despite these flaws, the game’s artistic ambition, humor, and atmosphere make it a memorable experience that shines especially for those who enjoy exploration and character-driven stories. Updates have improved some issues, but a more cohesive story and combat balance are still desired.
Highlights
Players praised Artis Impact for its incredible art style, fluid pixel animations, and manga-inspired cutscenes that bring the world and characters to life.
The gameplay's cozy, slice-of-life elements combined with turn-based combat provide a unique blend that many found charming and relaxing. The rich NPC interactions and side quests add depth and personality to the game world.
Akane, the protagonist, received strong acclaim for her endearing and whimsical character, which drives much of the game's emotional appeal. The soundtrack and sound design were also noted as fitting and atmospheric, enhancing the immersive experience.
Criticisms
Common criticisms include an unbalanced and luck-dependent combat system that becomes trivial or frustrating due to inconsistent difficulty spikes.
The story was frequently described as abrupt and underdeveloped, with an unsatisfying ending that leaves many plot threads unresolved and lacks cohesion.
Players also noted the absence of a proper quest log or hints, making side quests tedious and difficult to track, leading to frustration.
Technical issues such as bugs, performance problems on some platforms, and occasional incoherent updates further detracted from the experience.
Pros
- • Beautiful and unique pixel art with manga-style animations that captivate players visually.
- • Charming protagonist Akane provides emotional depth and whimsical personality.
- • Cozy slice-of-life elements mixed with RPG mechanics create a relaxing atmosphere.
- • Rich NPC interactions and side quests add meaningful world-building and humor.
- • Engaging soundtrack and sound design complement the game's mood effectively.
- • Innovative life-sim mechanics and detailed environmental interactions enhance immersion.
- • Combat animations are fluid and visually impressive, making battles enjoyable.
Cons
- • Combat system is unbalanced, overly luck-dependent, and lacks strategic depth.
- • Story feels incomplete with an abrupt, unsatisfying ending and weak cohesion.
- • Lack of quest log or guidance makes tracking side quests tedious and confusing.
- • Performance issues and bugs affect gameplay stability on some platforms.
- • Difficulty spikes are inconsistent, causing frustration and repeated content.
- • Some gameplay mechanics and systems are unexplained or poorly integrated.
- • Certain NPC dialogues and humor can be jarring or ill-fitting at times.
Rating Criteria
A fun turn-based RPG set in a future world of humans and AI. Play as Akane to explore vibrant locations, battle with simple yet fluid combat, and enjoy side quests full of charming surprises. With a playful, humorous style and clever details, this adventure is light, easy, and full of smiles.