DaRmaZat On March 27, AI Limit will be released for PC and PlayStation 5, a sci-fi action RPG developed by Sense Games and published by CE-Asia. Featuring a distinct anime art style, the game is set in a post-apocalyptic world where humanoid creatures known as The Void have overrun the planet, bringing civilization to the brink of extinction. To make matters worse, a mysterious black substance, simply referred to as Mud, spreads from the depths of the Earth, corrupting everything it touches.
The last bastion of humanity is located in Havenswell, where you, as the player, take on the role of Arrisa, an immortal Blader, who is humanity’s last hope for a new future. I use the word “hope” cautiously, as this RPG is both tainted and blessed – it’s all in how you look at it – with the soulslike microbe. This review covers the PC version of the game.
A Quest for Answers in a Devastated World
Our protagonist Arrisa awakens with no memory of how she ended up in the sewers of Havenswell. Of course, there are more pleasant places to end your beauty sleep, but the dark, grimy location helps build the atmosphere. Here, she learns that she must urgently find Asteria, the Branchweaver. After defeating a few monsters, Arrisa eventually finds her, and Asteria teaches her how to restore the corrupt Branches, a crucial task to defeat the dreaded Void. Asteria also gives you the Life Dew, a healing item that can be used a limited number of times, though this number increases as you progress. You also get to choose your first weapon. With a Longsword, Blades, or a Greatsword, you have enough options for a variety of attacks.
The combat system is based on the Sync Rate, a mechanic where building momentum through a series of successful attacks increases the effectiveness of your weapons and abilities. Interestingly, this percentage is always visible on screen, while the rest of the HUD disappears periodically. Unfortunately, this can’t (yet) be customized in the settings.
The Branches serve multiple functions. You can upgrade your abilities, enhance weapons and spells – provided you have the necessary materials. This usually comes down to Carbon, which is obtained by defeating larger monsters, and the desired number of crystals. But that’s not all: you can also use the Branches to teleport, store your current items, and regenerate both Mud energy and health. Keep in mind that enemies respawn when you use a Branch, except for bosses and mini-bosses. Oof.
An Incredibly Deep Combat System That Keeps Evolving
AI Limit’s combat is anything but simple. Forget the keyboard that’s attached to your PC for a moment, and plug in that dusty controller. There are plenty of button combinations to remember, which can be used in very specific situations, with the Sync Rate being the biggest determinant for success. After obtaining a weapon, you must first press two buttons to unlock the associated weapon skill (the so-called “weapon learning”), which grants a powerful, special attack. The higher the Sync Rate, the more powerful this attack will be, though it consumes Mud Energy. This also applies to healing, which can be done using items like Mud Balls. And later in the game, crafting is even introduced.
Luckily, the controls, aside from the soulslike elements, still include all the familiar mechanics of a typical action RPG: enemy lock-on, a dodge function, and the ability to sneak for a stealth kill. An interesting mechanic is the shield system, where successful blocks build up Overload. After gathering enough Overload, the shield transforms into a weapon via the Overload Blast, as long as you can remember the required double button tap in time. Weapons can also be temporarily enhanced with buffs, such as fire or electric elements.
As you progress, you’ll unlock Spells, with the effectiveness of these spells depending again on your Sync Rate. Later in the game, the Counterfield move is introduced, a magical parry attack that must be timed perfectly. All in all, the combat system is incredibly deep and continually evolves as the game progresses.
Smooth Soulslike Combat
Despite being quite linear, the game world itself is full of threats and has everything you need to get immersed: pitch-black tunnels, raging water masses, and, of course, enemies constantly attacking you. The grim atmosphere, combined with the challenge, certainly gives the game a unique flair. However, the overall polish of the game is still far from perfect. To be honest, I noticed an issue with the audio during the intro scene: the monologue was too quiet, and the sound mix was inconsistent. As for the graphics, the game fares much better here. The anime style is well-executed, and the lighting is atmospheric, though performance occasionally suffers from stuttering.
The bosses in AI Limit reminded me of Elden Ring, with attack patterns that you need to study in order to read them in time and then either dodge or counter them after a successful parry. Of course, strategically buffing your weapons in advance is also the best approach here. However, what stands out the most to me about AI Limit is how smooth the controls feel. For a soulslike game, the responsiveness of the controls is a real plus. That said, the combat remains tough, and especially the bosses require a lot of practice (read: failure). Because no, this is not a game for those who give up easily, but rather for those who enjoy a tough challenge.
Conclusion
AI Limit offers a stylish, challenging soulslike experience with a deep combat system that continually evolves. The smooth controls and extensive mechanics elevate the gameplay, while the atmospheric world and dark tone provide the immersion. However, when it comes to sound and performance, it’s not flawless. The difficulty is also unforgiving, meaning this game won’t appeal to everyone, but those who persevere will certainly feel rewarded.
Additional Information
Release Date: March 27, 2025
Reviewed On: PC. Download code provided by the publisher and PR agency via BeyondGaming.
Developer: Sense Games
Publisher: CE-Asia
Official Website: https://www.ailimit.com
Relevant links: AI Limit on STEAM
