Developed and Published by Anima Flux, Anima Flux is a 2d coop Metroidvania with a 80s-90s retro sci-fi aesthetics and a dark cosmic atmosphere.
Another day, another Metroidvania on Steam these days. However, now and then, there is something worth your time. This game, as great as it looks or moves, is not one of them.
It’s got COOP
Anima Flux is a game that delivers exactly what the Metroidvania genre needed, even if it wasn’t what it originally intended to do. While Metroidvania games have always been known for their solitary exploration and a focus on uncovering new abilities, Anima Flux takes this concept and adds something fresh: cooperative gameplay.
Whether you’re playing with a friend on the couch or teaming up online with someone from across the world, Anima Flux offers a co-op experience that’s both fun and engaging. And if you prefer to go solo, the game still has you covered with an AI-controlled companion to back you up.
A similar taste
Like most Metroidvania games, Anima Flux drops you straight into its world with little direction. The game expects you to figure things out on your own, which can feel overwhelming at first but ultimately proves rewarding. The world is large and complex, and your first task is to explore and understand the lay of the land.
As you explore, you’ll encounter NPCs (non-playable characters) who provide bits of information and some guidance about what you should be doing next. But, like in other Metroidvania games, the world remains open-ended, allowing you to explore at your own pace.
Along the way, you’ll face a variety of obstacles, from locked doors to powerful enemies. The game’s progression system involves defeating tough insect-like bosses, which drop valuable skill upgrades. These upgrades are essential to progressing through the game, as they grant you new abilities that allow you to break through barriers and reach new areas. For example, defeating certain bosses might give you a new weapon or a skill that lets you double-jump, which in turn opens up previously inaccessible areas.
As you delve deeper into the coop game’s world, you’ll also find merchants who offer useful upgrades. These can range from better armour and stronger weapons to elemental abilities and improved attack damage. The game encourages exploration, as the more you explore, the more powerful you become, and the more you can unlock.
This progression system is a key element of what makes Metroidvania games so addictive. Every time you unlock a new ability or find a new item, it feels like a small victory, motivating you to keep playing. The sense of accomplishment is especially strong in Anima Flux, as the game gradually opens up new paths and challenges, making you feel like you’re truly mastering the world.
Loners also welcome
If you’re the type of player who prefers to avoid human interaction, Anima Flux also has you covered. You can play with an AI-controlled companion, which takes some of the pressure off if you prefer a solo experience. However, as with any game featuring AI teammates, there are moments of frustration when the computer-controlled ally doesn’t quite perform as expected.
The co-op experience adds a layer of excitement to the game that players lose in single-player. You’ll need to communicate with your partner to strategize, whether it’s deciding who will take on the tougher enemies or figuring out how to overcome tricky obstacles.
An old friend, a new face.
So, if you’re really craving a co-op experience, Anima Flux has the right tools to spice things up with local or online multiplayer, offering that “teamwork makes the dream work” vibe, assuming your teammate isn’t brain-dead and gets killed by an enemy for the fifth time in a row. But hey, at least the game still lets you play solo if you’re one of those rare creatures who actually enjoy the “I’m lost, but it’s fine” vibe of Metroidvania games.
This coop game certainly looks great, and if you’re a fan of wandering around aimlessly through sprawling maps with minimal direction, then congratulations, you’re in for a treat. It does that Metroidvania thing with a vengeance.
Is Anima Flux a game you absolutely must play? Probably not. But if you’ve got a spare couple of hours and an unhealthy desire to collect power-ups from giant insect guts, well, this could be your next distraction. Just don’t expect it to redefine the genre or leave you thinking.
