ANTRO Review: A Short, Stylish, and Sickly Sweet Rhythm Platformer
Ever wondered what would happen if a dystopian revolution was fought not with guns, but with sick beats and perfectly timed parkour moves, but the whole revolution was over before your pizza arrived? That's ANTRO in a nutshell: a stunningly stylish, rhythm-infused platformer that is one of the coolest two hours I've spent with a game this year, and also one of the shortest.
A Vibe You Can Drown In
Let's get this straight: the atmosphere in ANTRO is top-tier. The low-poly, neon-soaked underground city is a grimy, gorgeous dystopia that feels like a living, breathing place. But the real star of the show is the soundtrack. This isn't just background noise; it's the game's lifeblood. The mix of hip hop, drill, and electronic music is an absolute banger and perfectly sells the fantasy of a rebellion fueled by forbidden art and culture. The whole game is a vibe, and it's a damn good one.
When the Beat Drops, So Do You
The game is at its absolute best when it goes into its on-rails, music-driven rhythm sequences. When the beat drops, the game takes control, and you're just focused on hitting your jumps, slides, and attacks in time with the music, it's a pure, satisfying shot of adrenaline and flow-state gaming. The feeling of flawlessly chaining together parkour moves in sync with a killer track is incredible. These sections are, without a doubt, the main reason to play this game.
The Quiet Between the Tracks
The problem is, those amazing rhythm sections are just that: sections. They're fleeting moments of brilliance separated by long, quiet stretches of standard 2.5D platforming. The puzzles are basic, the combat is a simple "press button when the game tells you to" affair, and the platforming, while functional, feels a little floaty and slow. It's not bad, but it feels like filler. It feels like the game is just killing time until the next track drops. I found myself wishing the whole game was just the high-energy chase sequences, because that's where the magic is.
Over Before It Even Starts
And then, just as you're really getting into the groove, it's over. My entire playthrough, including finding some collectibles, clocked in at under two hours. For a game with a premium price tag, that's a tough pill to swallow. There's little reason to go back for a second run, as the experience is so linear and the puzzles are so simple. It feels less like a full album and more like a fantastic, but severely overpriced, EP.
The Verdict
ANTRO is a game with immaculate style and a killer soundtrack. Its rhythm-action moments are some of the most satisfying I've played. But it's all wrapped up in an incredibly short package that feels like it ends just as it's getting started. It's a fantastic proof of concept, a brilliant demo for a game I desperately want more of. If you can stomach the price for a two-hour experience, you're in for a hell of a ride. Otherwise, wait for a deep, deep sale.
Score: 6.5/10 - A killer EP that's being sold at a full album price.
We at NLM received a key for this game for free, this however didn't impact our review in any way.