This is an update review after I finish the game just an hour ago

xD

Wow, what a game! It's not often you see a Mecha Musume game, especially one with this level of quality. Honestly, I haven't seen one like this in years.

So in short (before I start rambling on about it for far too long...)

it's a mix between a classic mecha game with deep customization, like Armored Core, and the vast level exploration of a Souls game. Gameplay-wise, it feels like older-gen Armored Core—a blend of Gen 4–5 movement with energy management, and weapons that feel more like Gen 3.
The exploration is huge, and the story is told in that cryptic, atmospheric way you'd expect from a Souls title. Whether you like that or not is up to you.

But one thing’s for sure—it’s really good!
If you’re looking for a mecha game, you’ll like this.
If you’re into Souls games too? You’re going to love it.


Now that the TLDR is out of the way, let’s jump into my usual unfiltered rambling xD

Like I said above, it's a perfect blend of the mecha and Souls-like genres. I’m not sure if it’s the first of its kind, but it’s definitely the first one I’ve played—and they absolutely nailed it!
You customize your Nymph's warframe and embark on a journey deep into the layers of The Hod, exploring in true Souls-style fashion.
Resource management acts as a subtle warning, reminding you it might be time to head back to the Tree (this game's version of a bonfire)... Or maybe you’ll take the risk and push forward for that sweet shortcut you’ve come to know and love from years of Souls journeys.

All of it is done so well! You'll be doing all this while surrounded by a hollow, bleak soundscape and the overwhelming presence of a nonsensical, towering hyperstructure looming over you. (Kind of like BLAME!, you know? xD) So the vibe check is a 10/10 in my opinion. And don’t forget… you’ll be doing all of that as a cute carbon-based lifeform known as a Nymph.

It’s kinda PEAK, let me tell you xD

Anyway, I want to talk about the world design of the game first. Like I mentioned, we play as a Nymph.

The whole game is designed around themes from Greek folklore or fairy tales (not exactly sure how to describe it, honestly). You've got nymphs, the Tree of Life, their playful personalities (in this case, their joy in playing war against each other), circles of mushrooms, A metal floor will have a pattern of a wood strum and more.

It’s all just so refreshing and a pretty unique setting they’ve created here.
And oh man—! the lore! It’s genuinely fun to read the item descriptions you find scattered throughout the game. They’re really well-written. A lot of Souls-like games struggle to do this well, but Dolls Nest pretty much nails it most of the time.

Each item tells the story of a time long past, an event you never witnessed—while the place where you find it tells another layer of the narrative. One chilling example: a currency item made from a fellow Nymph’s organ, with a haunting little line—"It could be you, next."

It’s good—but I can’t give the same praise when it comes to how the NPCs are written in this game.
There are a few standout characters, but most of the NPCs you meet speak in cryptic riddles. This is something many Souls-like games tend to miss the mark on. In FromSoftware's Souls games, even the most complex background characters are introduced in a simple, grounded way. And that’s the magic—it’s easy to connect with them, and as you learn more, their stories become even more meaningful.

Here, though? Most NPCs remain strange, cryptic figures that never quite evolve into memorable companions or travelers you’ll remember after the credits roll.
Which is a real shame, because the voice acting? Absolutely amazing. Stellar performances that I can't praise enough!

About the story... honestly, I really enjoy the lore of the world—but when it comes to the main story itself, it’s kinda weak.
You play as a newly-born Nymph, given the task of retrieving your Queen’s body parts (yes… it sounds weird, and it is). That mission sends you on a journey through the multiple layers of the Hod. And until you know. The game is end...


It’s more Armored Core than Armored Core 6—let me tell you that again!
It’s everything I wanted: deep stat customization, weight class limits, turn speed (none of that hard lock/no turn speed nonsense from AC6—that sucked). The movement has just the right amount of weight to it, making boosting, dashing, and air hopping feel really good.
The controls? Absolute perfection. (Still you can fire a weapon separately when you duel-wielding tho.)

There are tons of frame parts for you to find (they’re well hidden in the levels, making thorough exploration fun and rewarding! :D)
And those parts are genuinely unique—there’s no single piece that’s the best in every way, which is amazing.

Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for the weapons. There are a lot of them, but more than half are pretty bad and likely end up getting replaced as soon as you find something better. (The problem are from there are too many weapons...)

One thing I really like, though, is how you upgrade your weapons or frame parts. The upgrades only affect raw damage or armor value, not the unique stats that give each item its distinct feel—like fire rate, weapon range, thruster speed, or the max speed threshold a part can handle. That design choice helps preserve the individuality of each piece!

About exploration—this game is huge. Like, really huge. Tons of corridors, hidden paths, and secrets. Some routes can only be accessed with specific frame parts, or by finding alternate ways around.
It’s done incredibly well. It can feel overwhelming at first, but if you trust your instincts and keep pushing forward, you’ll eventually start sweeping through the map naturally—without needing a guide.

It’s the kind of map design that puts real trust in the player’s sense of direction and curiosity. I don’t know how, but they did it!

btw.... The way you can level up your main stats in this game is to kill another npc... PEAK


While the game doesn’t feature a soundtrack during exploration, the soundscape is so good. It delivers a strong sense of loneliness—a bleak, dying world you don’t fully understand. The atmosphere of an endless, war-ravaged land comes through perfectly.

And when the silence breaks as you enter a boss arena? Oh man. It hits hard. The music kicks in at NIER level quality, with each boss having its own unique theme.
It’s peak!

Alright, I think that’s about it. Not sure what else I want to write right now… Thanks for reading through my nonsense ramblings :3



And A truly deserve my God game God time badge.