The allure of bonding with mysterious creatures to traverse vast, uncharted lands is a fantasy that tugs at the heartstrings of many a gamer. The market success of titles built upon this very premise speaks for itself. With a wave of new creature-collecting titles waiting in the wings, the competition is turning white-hot. Frankly, just being cute or pretty isn't going to cut it anymore.

In this climate, Powprint Studio’s upcoming title, Animo—entering testing on July 9th—holds a distinct edge. It is the 'Twine' system: a mechanic that goes beyond mere companionship, allowing players to physically transform into an Animo to engage in combat and exploration from an entirely new perspective. With the freedom to transform into any Animo collected during play, the game offers a refreshing, non-human gameplay experience.

Can Animo carve out a niche in the saturated open-world RPG market using Twine as its primary weapon? I had the chance to go hands-on with a media preview build ahead of the test to see if the game lives up to the hype.

Before diving into the fray, let's look at the lore. 'Animo' refers to the mysterious entities encountered throughout the game. The world is divided between Astra, a futuristic city in the sky where humans and Animo coexist, and the Aedel continent, a wild habitat teeming with various species. As a member of the Polaris Academy, the most prestigious Animo research institution in Astra, you set out to explore Aedel.

The coexistence theme permeates the narrative. You'll witness villages where humans and Animo thrive together, and hear the tragic tale of 'Irairi,' who sacrificed everything to protect the ecosystem and fell into a deep slumber. The game consistently frames Animo not as mere tools, but as sentient companions.

These creatures are the heart of the experience. With over 200 species, distribution depends on region, time of day, and specific conditions. Some rare specimens, such as those appearing during the special 'Cheonhwi' phenomenon, require keen observation to discover.

These two modes offer distinct tactical approaches. Controlling them separately demands situational awareness; since the protagonist falls after five hits, you must balance support with positioning and evasive manoeuvres. Having two combatants on the field certainly helps when facing mobs.

Conversely, Twining shifts the experience into a pure action game. The camera zooms in, heightening the immersion of seeing through the creature’s eyes. This mode shines in 1v1 duels against elite bosses, where precise dodging and exploiting enemy gaps are paramount.

The growth system is surprisingly deep. Beyond standard leveling and evolution, you have 'Resonance Upgrades' to boost base stats, 'Potential Awakening' for ability levels, and a three-slot rune system for equipment. It is not just about collection; it is about theory-crafting the optimal build.

Animo aren't just for fighting. The Aedel continent is a sprawling map of grasslands, jungles, oceans, and snowy peaks. Traversal is where Twine really shines; you’ll transform into specific Animo to climb cliffs, glide through the air, or swim through deep waters. The best part? You don't need the creature in your active party to trigger these skills, which is a massive quality-of-life win.

You can also dig for treasure as a 'Ssakcrab' or burn through vines with a fire-type 'Tanmeongmeong'. These skills are also used to collect 'Radiant Amber' to power the Leyline Trees that govern the continent. Some environmental puzzles even require higher-level skills, incentivizing a broad roster of trained Animo.

Dungeons, or 'Underground Palaces,' lean heavily into this puzzle-solving. You must find the specific Animo suited to the dungeon's theme. For instance, you might Twine with a 'Horumaegi' to create a tornado that lifts items, or use a 'Magic Eye' to merge two paintings to unlock doors.

Sub-quests offer a glimpse into the daily lives of these creatures. By Twining, you experience the world from their perspective, uncovering ecological stories that make the world feel lived-in.

You might join a troupe of 'Chimnieants' for a rhythm-based mini-game, dancing and singing together. Certain areas are only accessible if you are transformed into the correct Animo, further weaving combat, exploration, and life simulation into a cohesive loop.

Capturing is done via 'Anipots' in real-time. Lowering an Animo's HP helps, but stealthily observing them or catching them sleeping at night significantly increases your odds. The transition from combat to capture is fluid, keeping the momentum going.

Beyond capturing, you can hatch eggs or exchange items. If the thought of 200+ species seems daunting, the map interface is your best friend.

Activating 'Leyline Crystal Clusters' provides fast travel and serves as a hub for information. Clicking these on the map reveals which Animo inhabit the area, their collection status, and even special conditions needed for them to appear. It is a well-organized database for the completionist.

Opening the campervan reveals a field: Life content

For a bit of respite, there is life content. Once you reach a certain level, your campervan unlocks a personal 'Home' space. It starts small—overgrown and neglected—but with a bit of elbow grease, you can clear the land, plant wheat, and bake bread. It’s a classic, satisfying loop.

You can fulfill delivery requests with your produce, place egg incubators, and even assign Animo to help with chores like harvesting. While the test focused on outdoor space, the potential for future housing updates is clear.

In Astra, the hub city, you can relax at a cafe with your Animo or challenge NPC adventurers to a duel. The world feels alive, even in the urban centers.

The art style is undeniably cute, but the fidelity—the texture of fur, the shine of armour—adds a layer of visual polish that makes collecting them a joy. The performance was remarkably stable, even with a world packed with interactive elements.

Powprint Studio’s 'Animo' attempts to stand out in a crowded market through the Twine system. It is more than just a pet-collecting game; it’s about becoming the creature itself. With over 200 species and a rich, ecological narrative, the foundation is solid.

Combat and exploration are tightly integrated with Twine. The tactical shift between supporting as a human and going on the offensive as an Animo gives the combat a great rhythm. By embedding transformation into traversal and puzzles, the game makes collection feel like a natural consequence of exploration rather than a grind.

Ultimately, Animo adds a tactile, transformative layer to the familiar monster-collecting formula. Whether this fusion of action-RPG combat, environmental puzzles, and life simulation can weather the storm of competition is the burning question.

Animo is slated for release later this year and is currently accepting pre-registrations across PC, mobile (iOS, Android), PS5, and Xbox Series X/S. For more details, Official Animo SNS channels can provide the latest updates. The team is looking forward to meeting players globally.