Welcome to the world of Athena: Awakening from the Ordinary Life, a game where high school drama meets sci-fi shenanigans, and psychic powers become as essential as cramming for finals. You know, just your average Tuesday in the life of a 16-year-old girl… in 2018, because why not?
In this three-dimensional adventure, you take control of the psychic high schooler, Athena Asamiya, who suddenly discovers her telepathic talents and gets deeper into the wildest science fiction plot to ever hit a video game (sorry, Michael Bay). Instead of the usual angst-filled teenage drama, Athena finds herself knee-deep in puzzles that require more brainpower than you’d need to solve a Rubik’s cube blindfolded. Your psychic powers – which range from clairvoyance to teleportation – turn out to be essential tools for navigating strange dimensions and unlocking the secrets of the universe. Sometimes it's as if the game decided, 'Hey, let's turn the difficulty up to 'suddenly-need-a-degree-in-psychology' while we're at it.' But don’t worry, puzzle-solving and finding hidden items are rewarding enough to keep your neurons firing and your thumbs twitching. Now, here’s the twist: using these powers isn’t just pressing a button and calling it a day. Nope! There’s a rhythm mini-game area where you channel your inner 'Dance Dance Revolution' star. Forget about brute-forcing through obstacles – you better be ready to bust a move as you press your buttons in perfect time. It’s less 'power of friendship,' more 'power of dance' – who knew high school could be this much fun?
Graphically, the game is a feast for the eyes, especially for a game from 1999. The vibrant 3D worlds are filled with painstaking details, and the full-motion video cutscenes will have you second-guessing your vertigo. You might even find old-school gamers secretly wiping a tear from their eyes, wishing to shake hands with the Pixel Gods for this masterpiece. There are enough dazzling visuals and vibrant colors to distract you from, I don’t know, maybe how much homework you’ll have after this. However, don't get too comfortable. As the walls change like that one art installation that was just an empty room, let’s not forget to mention the occasional choppy animations that remind you you are playing a game from the late 90s. The dinosaurs? They look good—almost too good. But who are we kidding? Everyone's here for the absurdity of a girl solving otherworldly puzzles while battling pseudo-science and her feelings for Sie Kensou, the love-struck male lead who seems to have taken 'boyfriend' lessons straight out of a rom-com.
In conclusion, 'Athena: Awakening from the Ordinary Life' stands out as a hidden gem from the anime-inspired age. Sure, it's not perfect. The plot can seem as tangled as your headphones after a trip in your pocket, and there’s a notable lack of English voice acting that might leave you scrolling through endless text scenes that feel longer than your last relationship. But if you’re looking for a quirky adventure that combines teenage angst with sci-fi psychic powers, look no further! In summary, if you’re willing to forgive its dated design and appreciate its efforts to craft a narrative that's equal parts bizarre and entertaining, then give Athena a whirl! And remember, psychic powers may not help you ace your next math test, but they sure do make for an unforgettable journey through the ordinary…and the extraordinarily ridiculous.
Another SquareThought Site