Anomaly Agent Review (PC)

Electricity is crackling as my trusty bat eliminates the shield of two enemies, followed by a quick dash to get away from an explosion. A series of punches launches a clone into the shimmering pillar, and I get another environmental kill. I dodge more bullets and punches and deliver some strikes, including a combo that features the bat and eliminates two opponents. Some bullets reach me before I can deal with a big shotgun-wielding goon.

Two versions of the same robot bartender talk a little more and another wave of enemies pops in and my character, Agent 70, takes some time to eliminate them. Once the fight is done, I pick up a shotgun, which will give me more options in the coming engagements, and a health kit to replenish some of my health.

I’m probably heading toward another platforming section on the way to a boss fight. I’ve battled enemies on moving platforms and in elevators, so I’m pretty much ready for anything. I only need to remember to dash rather than jump to avoid incoming attacks and to save special attacks for dire moments.

Anomaly Agent is developed and published by Phew Phew Games. I played it on the PC using Steam. Gamers can also get in on the Nintendo Switch, the Xbox Series X and S, and the Xbox One. The title combines action and platforming to deliver a fast and challenging side-scroller.

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Players take on the role of Agent 70, employed by a powerful agency in a cyberpunk future in which reality itself is threatened by anomalies. These are messing with the fabric of space and time and our hero gets no help other than Eva, who’s smarter and better informed about his mission. Then it’s time to hunt for bosses, deal with a ton of clones, and look cool while saving the world.

Anomaly Agent’s story isn’t very original (the time travel shenanigans can become a little tiring) but is executed with energy and just enough self-awareness to make it engaging. There are plenty of lines that made me chuckle and even laugh out loud. Pay attention to all dialogue marked in yellow because it’s how 70 gets access to emotions, which feed into the upgrade system.

Of course, the title’s focus is on smooth and imaginative combat and platforming. Agent 70, despite his thoroughly impractical attire, can double jump and has access to a combination dodge and dash that’s always useful. Melee, using both fists and weapons, is his specialty but he can also pick up guns and deliver ranged strikes. A parry is used both to block incoming hits and to reflect projectiles, which sometimes activates doors.

To add more variety, Agent 70 also has a boomerang, both to stun opponents and to flip switches. Throughout the game, the hero will also learn new combos and pick up powerful special abilities. Players will face a variety of clones, which can combine to become more powerful, and combat is fast and deadly. It’s important to prioritize dodges and parries to avoid damage before going on the offensive. Remember, the best kill is an environmental one.

Anomaly Agent also asks players to deal with environmental hazards, which range from deadly laser beams to electrified pillars and smashing pillars. There are also a few straight-up platforming sections, mostly well-designed but with a few sections that can become frustrating.

The side-scrolling structure is pretty classic, but the game always finds ways to create levels that introduce small but meaningful tweaks. Each level is short enough that failure rarely feels frustrating. The boss battles are highlights, asking players to use their entire arsenal of moves to find weaknesses and then exploit them. Expect to die quite a few times before the pattern that you have to counter becomes clear.

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An upgrade tree, driven by money obtained from levels and emotions extracted from conversations, offers the means to customize combat abilities based on player preference. I constantly forgot to pick up and fire guns, so I decided to pump up melee and the boomerang as much as possible. I got very comfortable with quick dodges and used the environment as much as possible.

Anomaly Agent allows players to switch the difficulty level at any point, making it accessible even to players who will not master its complex combat system. For those looking for an extra challenge, pick the option to eliminate the visual warning that an opponent is about to attack.

I love the game’s pace and the constant stream of new ideas. No type of challenge overstays its welcome and Agent 70 looks cool at all times, even when he fails to grab a platform with the level exit in sight or gets a face full of lead from a boss who has less than 5 percent health left.

Anomaly Agent uses pixel graphics, with limited detail but a lot of personality. Agent 70 himself, clad all in white to stand out regardless of environment and screen clutter, is very smooth and his animations are a joy to watch. The same is true for enemies, with small details that make them easy to identify. Bosses look impressive and I lost health a few times because I got sloppy while admiring their attacks.

The sound design is also driven by style. There’s no voice acting but I like how the world sounds and the very blunt nature of the combat effects. The soundtrack is the highlight, which is synth-driven and mixes both modern and 80’s influences.

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The Good

The Bad

Conclusion