When exploring derelict buildings and eerie aqueducts in AI Limit, one can't help but be struck by the stylish and polished visuals. The killer presentation of this soulslike game adds to its allure. While it may feature the familiar bonfire checkpointing system, challenging combat encounters, and grotesque bosses, what sets AI Limit apart is its anime-inspired art style, which won me over. Its sleek and cartoonish visuals make it a captivating experience, perfect for those seeking a break from Shadow of the Erdtree sessions. AI Limit fully embraces its soulslike inspiration without apology. You'll collect materials from fallen enemies to enhance your stats, discover various weapons and equipment to customize your combat style, and, of course, face repeated deaths at the hands of formidable bosses with serious anger issues. It follows the classic soulslike formula in many ways. However, in the hour-long demo I played, AI Limit offered little in terms of innovative gameplay mechanics or unique selling points compared to other games in the genre, with one notable exception: its mesmerizing and unforgettable art style. While that might not seem like a significant differentiator, it became the primary reason driving me to navigate each deadly zone to uncover the visually stunning surprises awaiting me. Similar to how the Persona series adheres closely to traditional JRPG mechanics but stands out with its stylishness and unmatched charisma, AI Limit captivated me in many similar ways. Whether it was the sleek and captivating UI or the combat animations that made me feel like the protagonist of an adrenaline-pumping anime as I effortlessly bested enemies, I couldn't help but appreciate its style, even if other aspects were more formulaic. "The fantastic presentation of AI Limit has certainly piqued my interest, warranting a spot on my list of soulslike games to eagerly play. I must note, however, that despite the abundance of style in AI Limit, the protagonist in the demo appeared woefully lacking in expressiveness. With no dialogue and a perpetually stoic expression, there was little beyond visually appealing outfits and slick combat moves to provide insight into the character.

It felt odd that she didn't even emit any sounds when taking damage or dying. Although she is meant to be a robot, it raises the question of why she was given a human-like appearance if no trace of humanity is conveyed. Hopefully, these details were simply absent from this early build of the game. The demo confined me to an introductory tutorial area, where I managed to discover new weapons and outfits to experiment with. I also had the opportunity to explore one of AI Limit's rare unique mechanics: the Sync Rate meter. This meter charges up through attacking enemies and depletes when taking hits or using special abilities that consume its power, such as firing an electric railgun. Most importantly, the Sync Rate meter determines the damage output of your weapons. Keeping it full is rewarding, while depleting it carries consequences, leading to an intriguing trade-off. AI Limit may not immediately revolutionize the genre, but its impressive presentation has definitely sparked my curiosity, earning it a place on my list of soulslike games that I'm eagerly awaiting to play. With a planned release later this year, the wait won't be too long.