![Akashic Force (AF:iob) [アカシックフォース] Game Sample - PC/Doujin](/images/yt/hv/akashic-force-afiob-game-sample-pcdoujin-y249.jpg)
Akashic Force (AF:iob) [アカシックフォース] Game Sample - PC/Doujin
35Also known as "∀kashicforce -inundation of brigade-" and "∀kashicforce -abused insanity-" (upon unlocking the harder tier), the game is abstract and loosely considered a puzzle / fighting / shooting / rhythm hybrid. The game has a bit of a learning curve initially, but for those who persevere, it offers great competitive fun combined with an excellent soundtrack and a manic light show that few other games in the Doujin scene can compete with. That said, this is not the game for you if you ARE SENSITIVE TO FLASHING LIGHT PATTERNS or like your puzzle-y games to be a little more conventional.
Developed and first released by the Doujin Circle, Endless Shirafu, at the end of 2015, ES was established over ten years ago and collaborated with other circles making music and sound novels before they started studying how to do game design in 2010 and made many iterations of their first true game, "∀kashicverse -Malicious Wake-", and developed several other games on the side through the years. AF:iob is their most well-known game thanks to Steam's massively popular digital platform and the efforts of Fruitbat Factory who helped localize the game for a larger audience outside Japan, although I recommend checking out their prequel as well which is also on Steam and where the game got many of its characters and various gameplay nuances from. It will also give you a little more clarity on the game's world and "story". I won't go over the plot as it will not make much sense, but know that this game's story diverges some and doesn't take itself too seriously, being presented as "a game within a game" where "Orchids" (maidens who bloom, with their "nectar" attracting all sorts of errant "Creatures" who bring about the world's plight) determine the fate of the world.
AF:iob fuses fast drop puzzler action with fighting move sequences you can execute, several gauges to monitor including a seesaw "Providence Gauge" which illustrates your victory position, junk objects that require keen observation skills to eliminate, a combo-heavy burst / rumble system to increase the power of your "Methods" (special abilities), a shield to repel methods and other attacks and two special mechanics to turn the tides of battle: World Enchants and Eliminators. World Enchants require some time and effort to orchestrate but shine brightest when your back is against the wall -- each character has a different enchantment that activates when their core surpasses its limits which gives them an advantage in terms of power, speed, or other abilities (as well as a cool, altered visual effect). Eliminators are special attacks where the player can go for broke if they have seven or more method gauges and more than 2/3rds of your elimator gauge filled -- this causes your field to transform into a bemani-style field where you match lightning-fast objects coming down to create combos. The damage dealt depends on how well you perform the eliminator attack.
While the game has a lot to keep track of, the game's manual, tutorial (missions) and story (channeling) mode ease you into the gameplay and the A.I. isn't too tough until later tiers of the game (although from the outside looking in, it seems like a bunch of nonsense). The game has a nice aesthetic with a few short movies and anime-style characters (who are over-saturated by default, which is odd, but... yeah) and there's a few in-game settings to adjust the display and sound (turn the effects down or off to here the cool beats), but like most Unity-developed games, don't expect too many customization features. There's also a few unlockables to be found and the price isn't too steep at 13$ (though it does go on sale from time to time), but there are a few caveats-- some recorders do not work properly with the game (such as certain versions of Fraps which will become corrupted after beating the first opponent) and the game will start to slow down if it runs for too long (which requires a restart to refresh).
Anyhoo, this is a video showing some of the things in action, going over the basic game, credits, some of the harder first loop, missions, etc. Enjoy. You can get the game at:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/857460/kashicforce/
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