It seems that 2022 will be “anno” for ANNO: Mutationem, because ThinkingStars has finally set a release date of March 17, 2022. The team also released a pre-order trailer to confirm the release date. The trailer was accompanied by key visual art illustrated by Ilya Kuvshinov, the character designer for Ghost in the Shell: SAC 2045.
ANNO: Mutationem was first announced years before its release date, as part of Sony’s 2019 PlayStation China Hero Project, an initiative supporting China-based small and indie developers. It has a cyberpunk and anime-inspired aesthetic, with inspiration taken from works like Ghost in the Shell, Blade Runner, and the Matrix. The story takes place in a near-future metropolis and follows the adventures of Ann, a “highly-skilled, combat-trained lone wolf.” Ann’s trying to find her lost brother and is willing to face off against the megacorporations and organizations that rule the city from the shadows. Elements from the SCP Foundation, an open-source collaborative fiction project will be present in the world of ANNO: Mutationem.
ANNO: Mutationem is an action game with a blend of flat-shaded 3D models and a 2D pixel art-style. Ann fights in 2D combat, using an energy blade to dice up enemies. She’ll explore the city in 3D and travel in a futuristic flying car. Weapon crafting, skill enhancement, and RPG elements buttress the progression. The pre-order trailer also promises extra costumes for players that buy ahead of the ANNO: Mutationem release date.
ANNO: Mutationem will come out on PS4, PS5, and PC on March 17, 2022. The PS4 version of the game will also have a Collector’s Edition that includes extra costume, item and weapon packs as well as a digital soundtrack and artbook.
