Full Metal Schoolgirl-anmeldelse: Ambisiøs anime-action snubler over roguelike repetisjon

Full Metal Schoolgirl enters the roguelike shooter landscape with a striking anime presentation, pitching players into a futuristic world of exploited robots and corporate satire. On the surface, the game promises high-octane action featuring cyborg protagonists Ryoko and Akemi as they pursue revenge against a powerful CEO. Early sequences showcase kinetic third-person combat set to a fast-paced J-rock soundtrack, and the opening establishes a playful irreverence toward corporate greed. Yet, the appeal fades as players ascend the game’s 100 procedural floors.

This review draws on Michael Higham’s impressions on IGN, which highlight the tension between style and substance.

“First impressions matter, right? Full Metal Schoolgirl throws you into its third-person shooter action shortly after a blazing fast anime-inspired opening to the tune of a J-rock banger.”

Players choose between Ryoko and Akemi, both functionally human despite their cyborg modifications. One leads the run while the other becomes a captive figure, driving the narrative forward. The initial storyline critiques corporate exploitation sharply, recalling the tonal playfulness of titles such as Hi-Fi Rush. However, narrative depth quickly gives way to repetitive dialogue, unnecessary sexualized tropes, and comedic quips that rarely land. For much of the game, players move through corridors and office-style combat arenas that follow a largely unchanging procedural design. Environmental hazards, drones, turrets, and mechanized dogs provide combat variation, but level layouts remain predictable and often incongruous, with empty rooms disrupting the pacing of encounters.

Combat retains some intermittent engagement through optional challenges and boss fights. Players can tackle rooms under constraints—time limits or restricted healing—to earn extra resources. Bosses punctuate sequences with somewhat refreshing encounters, although predictable attack patterns limit challenge. Victory grants keys to resume later runs from specific floors, but single-use limitations mean failure often results in retracing monotonous sections. The roguelike loop is intact but fails to consistently reward persistence, making progression feel more laborious than exhilarating.

“About halfway through a second run of this roguelike, it dawned on me that there just wasn't much to Full Metal Schoolgirl; it’s a dull and repetitive shooter whose gameplay foundations aren't quite good enough to save it from the largely tedious, unrewarding grind up its 100-floor tower.”

Weaponry forms the core of player engagement, with a range of firearms and melee options. Higham observed that while certain guns feel counterintuitive to the layout of encounters, select weapons like high-level electric chainguns and plasma ball launchers deliver satisfying tactile feedback. Melee attacks with katanas or axes can cut through crowds effectively, but movement and platforming occasionally feel sticky, dampening fluidity. Strategic use of auto-attack drones and energy meters becomes essential in later stages, as do careful management of scarce healing items. The balance between combat weight and movement responsiveness fluctuates, sometimes breaking immersion in what is otherwise a visually energetic shooter.

Higham noted that the game’s late stages offered the most gratifying moments. Encounters combined varied enemy types and environmental hazards, while players could exploit weapon synergies discovered through repeated runs. SMGs, overheat mechanics, and axe combos emerge as particularly effective, reinforcing a learning curve that rewards experimentation. Despite this, such moments are intermittent and the grind through largely uniform floors remains unavoidable. Gear rewards from challenge rooms introduce randomness that can make progression feel inconsistent, with common items undercutting previous gains in rare or legendary equipment. Modifiers on shields and damage output add tactical depth, but they cannot fully offset the structural monotony of the roguelike loop.

“I have a high tolerance for anime tropes, and here, it teeters between charming and eyerolling, and more frequently leans toward the latter.”

Graphically, the game presents vibrant anime-inspired visuals and animated character expressions. The aesthetic succeeds in drawing attention initially, especially in the opening sequences and climactic final floors. Character designs are distinct and the cyberpunk-infused corporate world conveys an unmistakable style, yet the visual charm cannot fully compensate for repetitive gameplay and uneven level design. Music and sound design reinforce energy during combat, yet the audio cues rarely evolve beyond predictable patterns, which contributes to the sensation of repetitiveness across extended sessions.

Full Metal Schoolgirl attempts to merge anime aesthetics with roguelike mechanics, offering episodic bursts of engaging combat amid extended stretches of repetition. Higham observed that while there is sporadic satisfaction in reaching the later floors, the game’s core loop is undermined by basic procedural layouts, inconsistent enemy placement, and occasional control frustrations. The promise of high-paced anime action is realized in brief flashes rather than sustained throughout the experience.

“Once you've given Full Metal Schoolgirl a couple runs, you've pretty much seen it all. There are decent ideas with potential that meld the shooter genre and roguelike framework well – it's unfortunate that they get squandered by foundational shortcomings.”

By the end, the game presents a mixture of enjoyable mechanics and squandered potential. Players who appreciate anime stylings or seek short bursts of mindless shooter fun may find intermittent gratification. However, the overall experience remains defined by repetitive corridors, predictable enemy patterns, and a grind-heavy roguelike structure that tests patience more than engagement. While the final stages offer glimpses of strategic depth, the journey there is measured in predictable repetition rather than consistently rewarding design.

Full Metal Schoolgirl illustrates the challenge of balancing aesthetic innovation with gameplay depth. Its third-person anime action creates an immediate visual hook and occasional combat thrill, yet structural and mechanical shortcomings prevent it from sustaining momentum. For roguelike enthusiasts, the game delivers selective highs amidst extended lows. Those drawn primarily to its stylistic presentation may enjoy isolated sequences, but the overall climb through its 100 floors leaves much of its promise unfulfilled.