In the August State of Play, Sony gave some updates on upcoming titles for the PS5. However, the livestream also highlighted PSVR and PS4 games that would be released within a year. The showcase had several anticipated favorites such as Vader Immortal, but it also included a curious game called ANNO: Mutationem.
ANNO: Mutationem is created by ThinkingStars under Playstation's China Hero Project which helps developers or start-ups enter the gaming industry in China and globally. The game itself is an ambitious mix of 2D and 3D styles fused with action adventure gameplay and RPG elements in a futuristic world. While ANNO: Mutationem has been in development since 2019, gamers got an extended look at the title earlier during today's State of Play.
In a new trailer, the protagonist Ann explores a city by moving through 3D environments and passing dozens of NPCs that can also be talked to. Eventually, the point-of-view switches to 2D combat where Ann hacks, slashes, and shoots her way through enemies in a style reminiscent of old side-scroller games. Ann then confronts a strange object and a mysterious swordsman somewhere far away before the December 2020 release period flashes to end the video.
Although the title won't be out for several months, today's gameplay footage is a good indicator of how most of the story and combat will play out. In the end, ANNO: Mutationem seems like a fitting tribute to retro-style gaming for modern times and a great option to help sendoff the current console generation.
ANNO: Mutationem is scheduled to release in December 2020 for PS4 and PC.