Developer: Mas
Publisher: Feuxon
Grab Artis Impact Here
” A Impactful Indie RPG “
About The Game
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.
Introduction
Welcome back to another one of these crazy reviews I wanted to make this one a little different in terms of layout as the standard layout was causing me to have some serious writers block this new layout will allow me to dive further into a game and allow for more explorative descriptions.
Artis Impact caught my eye right away with its post-apocalyptic vibe mixed with cosy life sim elements. Developed by a solo dev by the name of Mas. Artis Impact is a turn-based JRPG where you play as Akane, a tough warrior in a world overrun by rogue AI. Humans and these smart machines are trying to coexist, but it’s tense as hell.
I am pretty sure this review could have been out sooner but the game has had me hooked for a while that and I just didn’t know quite how to explain it. It’s got that classic RPG feel but with a relaxing twist, think exploring ruined cities while juggling a part time job all while home decorating. If you’re into games like Harvest Moon crossed with Final Fantasy tactics, this might scratch that itch, though it has got its quirks.
Story
The story kicks off with Akane waking up in her modest home, investigating some weird noises and then you’re thrust into this fractured world where AI have basically taken over civilization. You’re part of this group called A-Lith which is basically a militia fighting off the bad bots and your companion is this sarcastic AI named Bot who’s learning to be more human than one would expect from an AI droid.
Artis Impact is all about uncovering Akane’s past, dealing with shady neighbours like the Wilson family, and navigating alliances with other characters like the commander Nile or the other quirky teammates that inhabit the now fractured world. What I absolutely loved about the game was the multiple paths, your choices in dialogues and side quests can lead to different endings, which encouraged me to replay it more than once. There is a dark undertone with the AI threat and some heavy themes on coexistence, but it’s balanced with humorous moments, like Bot’s snarky comments or light hearted chats in town.
That said, it felt a bit fragmented at times some plot paths just sort of fizzle out without resolution, and the writing dips into awkward moments, especially with female characters getting objectified in dialogues. Overall, the game is character driven and charming, but don’t expect a super cohesive tale it’s more about personal growth and life in a ruined world.
Graphics
Visually, Artis Impact is a treat. I would say the art style is hand drawn pixel art with a silky, retro comic book style that pops. The maps are vibrant and detailed think colourful ruined cities with glitchy cyberspace zones that look like floating digital voids.
Character designs are expressive and Akane’s animations during combat feel fluid and dynamic, and those sudden manga style panels during key scenes add a dramatic flair that added a depth to the game like no other. I especially like how the art shifts to a chibi like style for exploration, full-on illustrated cutscenes for story beats, and even grayscale real-world backgrounds for contrast. It’s not photorealistic or anything, but the unique blend gives it personality. My only issue is that some backgrounds don’t always match the interiors perfectly, which pulled me out of immersion once or twice. Still, it’s stunning for an indie title.
Gameplay
Artis Impact shines and stumbles a bit. It’s a mix of turn-based combat and life simulation. Combat is simple, you control Akane and Bot in battles against AI foes, customizing gear, skills, and strategies. It’s fluid and satisfying sword swings feel rhythmic, and Bot’s support adds variety, like healing or buffs. But honestly, it gets easy quick I was able to overpowered most fights by midgame without much grinding, though there are surprise difficulty spikes if you explore too early and this come without warnings.
The real hook is the daily life system. You can wander towns, chat with NPCs crouching to talk to kids is adorable little touch as this bring Akane down to there level like a mother would to her young, take part-time jobs for cash, buy properties, upgrade your house, cook meals, or just exercise and hit the baths to boost stats. It’s super relaxing and adds replay value, I missed tons of side quests first time around as these are like hidden secrets or alternate event outcomes. Choices matter, such as how you handle events as this can change relationships or unlock new paths.
Early game can be frustrating with unwinnable bosses if you’re not prepared, and some mechanics feel unclear, like pricey healing or bugged doorways this being said the game has had a ton of patches so is most likely been patched out by the time this review goes out. It’s not a hardcore RPG but more of a cozy explorer with fights sprinkled in.
Sound Design
The sound design is understated but spot-on for the vibe. The soundtrack’s got this soft piano vibe with some sort of guitar thrown in that gives off a melancholy anime ending theme feel, perfect for the post apocalyptic setting. It’s soothing during exploration and builds tension in combats without overwhelming the player. Sound effects are clean with sword clashes, AI glitches, and everyday noises like cooking or chatting all of these feel natural and immersive. No over the top orchestra here, which fits the relaxing pace.
Bot’s voice lines (text-based but I imagined them sarcastic) pair well with the audio cues. It’s not ground breaking, but it enhances the charm without distracting.
Our Thoughts
Wrapping up, Artis Impact is a gem of an indie RPG with heart, especially if you crave that blend of adventure and chill vibes. The story’s got charm and replay ability, graphics are uniquely beautiful, gameplay offers freedom and surprises, and the sound ties it all together nicely.
Sure, the game has its flaws what with the unbalanced combat, some suspect writing, and early frustrations but for a solo dev project, it is impressive and left me wanting more story from Akane and her world.
I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a short, character focused escape, the game run for about 10-15 hours. If you’re tired of grindy epics, give this a shot, it had me hooked me more than I expected it too!
