Did you enjoy your time exploring the intricate depths of Blackreach in Skyrim? Are you a fan of taking down enemies in a slow and calculated manner? Do you want to experience a world where you can see smells? If so, you might want to check out The Axis Unseen, a new game that has just been released on Steam. Developed by Nate Purkeypile, a former Bethesda developer known for his work on Blackreach, this game offers a unique and immersive experience.
The Axis Unseen is not your typical open-world RPG or fantasy game like Elder Scrolls. Instead, it is an open-world archery hunting simulator set in a “heavy metal horror” universe. The game features a powerful soundtrack composed by Clifford Meyer of Red Sparowes, adding to the intense atmosphere.
In The Axis Unseen, players must navigate through a world where monsters can track you based on wind direction, and you can hunt them down using footprints and blood trails. But this is not just a realistic hunting simulation – players also have access to a sorcerous bow with arrows that can manipulate time and weather. Arrow effects can be combined, similar to Magicka, and there are unlocks that enhance your senses, allowing you to “see scent particles” and experience colors beyond human comprehension.
During a preview of the game at GDC’s Day Of The Devs, the unique in-world HUD design caught my attention, displaying health, power availability, and noise levels as glowing glyphs on your wrists and equipment. While I didn’t have much time to fully explore the hunting aspect of the game, I was impressed by the immersive world created by the developers.
According to the Steam page, the full game offers around 20 hours of gameplay, with more content for completionists. Our reviewer, Graham, will be sharing his thoughts on the game soon. He’s particularly intrigued by the archery mechanics, citing it as the standout feature of the game. But don’t mind Graham – he always has strong opinions about game mechanics.
