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A Blader in Pursuit of Branches

One of my favorite titles from 2019 and Soulslike games has been Code Vein. It takes the core Soulslike experience and blends it with the visual style of the God Eater series. Players are thrust into a desolate, post-apocalyptic world drained of hope, forced to battle through the remnants of inhuman horrors. Despite what you see, you have to believe there is a sense of hope at the end—otherwise, what is it all for?

I mention Code Vein because AI Limit immediately reminded me of this 2019 gem after watching the first trailer. On the surface, they share many similarities—both are Soulslike games with anime visuals set in a bleak, post-apocalyptic world. However, beneath the surface, they offer distinct experiences that bring something unique to the player. While AI Limit doesn’t attempt to reinvent the Soulslike genre, it delivers an experience that gamers will enjoy in a familiar setting.

A Withered and Desolated World

In the distant future, civilization collapses after a great war, and from the ashes, a mysterious substance known as Mud emerges, bringing death and unspeakable horrors. The last remnants of humanity have taken refuge in the city of Havenswell. Yet; even this sanctuary can’t offer safety as it’s tearing apart within. The relentless spread of Mud threatens its foundations while warring factions vie for control over what little remains. Players take on the role of one of the last Bladers, a humanoid created by lost technology. With no memory of their past, they set out to repair the Branches—mystical structures that could restore life to the world and reignite hope for humanity.

AI Limit strikes a balance between the standard themes of a Soulslike game. It is a dark fantasy set in a post-apocalyptic world, devoid of most forms of life. Beneath it all lies a compelling story that gives players a sense of purpose, with a protagonist who starts as a blank slate seeking to uncover their past. The lore and unfolding events are gradually revealed through interactions with other characters and documents scattered throughout the world. All of this serves as motivation for the player to continue exploring and pushing forward.

Apex of Evolution

AI Limit is a Soulslike game, meaning the experience will be both difficult and unforgiving. Players must quickly develop a strategy and playstyle if they hope to progress. Fans of the genre will know exactly what to expect and should feel at home from the start. The gameplay and combat mechanics are straightforward for those familiar with Soulslike titles, featuring a traditional hack-and-slash setup with RPG elements. While Necros and Pilgrames are easy to defeat individually, they become far more dangerous in groups, especially when you are at a lower skill level. Mid-level enemies will put your skills to the test, while bosses will push you to your limits.

Players start with a low-tier sword but can choose a better one from three options after restoring the first Branch. Each bladed weapon offers unique abilities and drawbacks, catering to different combat styles. As they progress, players can acquire new weapons through purchase or exploration, gaining an edge in battle. Weapons can also be upgraded to deal more damage and respond more quickly to attacks. Branches play a pivotal role, serving as locations where players can save, resurrect, fast travel, and upgrade their character or weapons. To upgrade, players must collect crystals by defeating enemies, but they will lose a portion upon death.

Overall, if you regularly play Soulslike games, everything here will feel familiar. AI Limit introduces its own take on certain gameplay mechanics and elements, but you’ll quickly grasp how they work.

Eons of Calamity

If you’ve read any of my past reviews, you know how easily a game with anime style visuals can grab my attention. AI Limit is no different—the stunning visuals were the first thing that caught my eye. The anime design helps set the tone of the world through its use of color, the design of enemies, and the expressions of your character. While the artistic style differs from Code Vein, it shares enough of the same palette to draw comparisons. Those who did play it will be quick to notice and it feels like a deliberate treat for us.

Another aspect I enjoyed was the game’s linear progression system with multiple paths. Unlike most modern Soulslike titles, AI Limit is neither open-world nor connected through hubs. Instead, players must push forward to progress. However, this doesn’t mean there’s only one way forward—various paths exist, but they all ultimately lead in the same direction. It’s up to the player to determine the best route to take. Some may not be fans of this style, but for me—someone who doesn’t always enjoy open-world games—it’s a welcome choice.

SINK

Right away, you should absolutely be aware of what a Soulslike game is before picking up AI Limit. This is a genre that is known for its intense difficulty that will put a player’s skills to the test. There is no easy mode and the only way to progress is to grow your character and master the combat. If you’re not a fan of the genre to begin with, then you will not enjoy the experience.

Despite the learning curve, the difficulty level is not the issue that plagues AI Limit.

When it comes to Soulslike games, it’s not the difficulty that bothers me—it’s how clunky combat and action mechanics are often treated as features rather than flaws. Like many titles in the genre, AI Limit suffers from gameplay mechanics that require near-perfect timing to function properly. Be off by just a few milliseconds, and you’ll miss that dodge or fail to jump across a ledge. Failing once or twice isn’t a big deal, but when it happens repeatedly, it becomes frustrating. A few years ago, I might have tolerated this to some degree, but a lot has changed. The gimmick has worn out its welcome and it’s no longer a feature but a glitch that needs to be patched up.

Welcome to Havenswell

Numerous studios outside of FromSoftware have attempted to deliver a great Soulslike experience. However, few have successfully captured the same level of quality that matches FromSoftware’s standards. Code Vein and Lies of P are among the first that come to mind for me. Now, I can add AI Limit to that list of great Soulslike games not made by FromSoftware.

AI Limit delivers a classic Soulslike experience set in a familiar world that is rich in its own deep lore. Players awaken in a familiar world while details about the story are slowly fed. The combat and gameplay mechanics are easy to learn for those who play Soulslike games. Bringing this world to life is the anime style visuals.

Disclaimer: The publisher through a PR representative provided the game used for this review.

This review is the critique and thoughts of one writer. If you want to see how other critics felt, then check it out on OpenCritic.

8Bit/Digi is an independent media outlet that provides insight into the gamer community of the San Francisco Bay Area.

AI LIMIT (PC)

9

Excellent

9.0/10

Pros

• A familiar story while details are slowly fed to the player.
• Easy to learn gameplay for those who play Soulslike games.
• Anime design that brings the world to life.
• Linear progression system with multiple paths.

Cons

• Issues that come with a Soulslike game that are treated as features rather than flaws.