Introducing AI Limit, the latest entrant from Sense Games to the souls-like genre, which delivers a refreshing blend of innovation and tradition. Inspired by the legendary Souls series from FromSoftware, a slew of developers has attempted to capture this burning ambition, but few succeed in surpassing or embodying its distinct charm. Unfortunately, players often encounter titles marred by bugs or a lack of depth, leaving a significant gap in quality.
The mere mention of “Souls-like”games can be met with skepticism, leading many players (including myself) to overlook new releases in this category. Nevertheless, one title that has captured my admiration is Code Vein, primarily due to its striking cel-shaded anime visuals. These are evident in AI Limit, which piqued my interest further.
Continue reading to uncover whether AI Limit deserves your attention and time.
Explore AI Limit’s Dystopian Landscape
Engaging Story, Combat, and Gameplay
The combat mechanics in AI Limit carve a unique niche amidst familiar souls-like gameplay. Players navigate through intricate levels, battling enemies and formidable bosses in a fashion reminiscent of other titles in the genre. You will encounter several mechanics typical to souls-likes, including Life Dew (analogous to the Estus Flask) and Branches (serving as Bonfires).
What truly distinguishes AI Limit is its absence of a stamina system. Unlike many of its contemporaries where dodging and attacking are tightly restricted, this game encourages freedom of movement, demanding players to wisely manage the Sync Bar—a pivotal resource akin to mana. This bar regulates various actions, such as casting spells or executing parries. Its depletion leads to a temporary stun, enhancing the importance of maintaining an aggressive playstyle.
In this game, faster-swinging weapons often yield better results than their slower, high-damage counterparts. The Frame Abilities are finely tuned to promote a high-octane combat experience, with counters enabling players to deliver devastating hits after a perfect parry. While shields offer protection, using them continuously drains the Sync Bar, promoting calculated risk versus safety.
As you progress through AI Limit, defeating bosses unlocks new spells and abilities. By investing in the Vitality stat, players can enhance the gain-and-loss ratio of the Sync Bar, further impacting combat strategy. Although the game is forgiving once you grasp enemy patterns, some challenges, like tougher mobs, can significantly ramp up the difficulty.
Where challenge meets frustration is in the game’s balance. Many players, including myself, encountered frequent defeats against more challenging enemies, yet managed to survive boss encounters with minimal deaths.
A key area for improvement lies in the currency system of AI Limit. The in-game crystals, akin to souls from FromSoftware titles, are accrued through defeating foes or found in the environment. However, upon death, a percentage of crystals is permanently lost rather than dropped, leading to potential frustration as players must grind to regain lost currency. This creates a punitive feedback loop that can hinder progression.
While the narrative is not particularly groundbreaking, it unfolds in a captivating manner. Players inhabit a world devastated by an enigmatic material known as “mud,” now a post-apocalyptic landscape forcing humanity to seek refuge within Havenswell, the last bastion of civilization. As Arissa, a so-called Blader, your mission is to reclaim humanity’s future, with various choices affecting potential endings.
Distinct Level Design, Visuals, and Aesthetic Appeal
While AI Limit may not amaze players with its graphics, the cel-shaded art style is effective in conveying a sense of dread through a muted palette. Nevertheless, the robust level design merits praise, as exploration often reveals hidden treasures and loot when diverting from the main path. Players can also engage in mini-boss encounters, rewarding them with crystals and valuable items.
A Unique Approach to Sound Design
One aspect that might not receive the attention it deserves is the ambient sound design in AI Limit. Outside of boss battles, the game’s music is minimal, with environments filled with eerie soundscapes, like the echoes of dripping water, creating an unsettling atmosphere that heightens tension and immersion.
Performance Under the Hood
Sense Games has demonstrated exceptional polish in AI Limit, delivering one of the most optimized experiences in the souls-like landscape. My setup, featuring:
- Ryzen 5 5600X
- AMD RX 6600 8GB VRAM
- 32 GB RAM DDR4
yielded a consistently smooth 150 FPS with minimal stutters, except during area transitions. However, a few glitches remained, slightly detracting from the overall experience.
Addressing Concerns: Challenges Beneath the Surface
While largely polished, certain bugs impact gameplay. One prominent issue was enemies occasionally failing to render, leaving only their weapons visible. Restarting often resolved the issue, but it reared its head again sporadically.
Another frustration arose from audio glitches during boss encounters, where sound cues would suddenly cease, impeding the ability to dodge or parry effectively. This led to preventable deaths, affecting the gameplay experience. However, post-patch, I have not faced these issues recently.
Final Thoughts: Embracing the Challenge
Overall, AI Limit has provided me with a thrilling gaming experience, marked by engaging combat and a gripping atmosphere that consistently kept me on edge. The cel-shaded graphics contribute positively to its unique flair within the genre.
Apart from a few bugs that may disrupt gameplay, this title stands out as an exemplary addition to the souls-like category. Priced at $35 for the Standard Edition, the substantial content offers excellent value.
In conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend AI Limit to both newcomers and veterans of the genre. Its balance of accessibility and challenge ensures that players will enjoy adapting to its combat mechanics and richer gameplay experience.
Game Overview: AI Limit
Reviewed on: PC (Key provided by Publisher CE-Asia)
Platform(s): PC, PlayStation 5
Developer: Sense Games
Publisher: CE-Asia
Release Date: March 27, 2025