Antro (PS5) | REVIEW | A Music Driven Dystopian Precision Platformer

Following a cataclysmic world event known as Salvador Antro the people of Earth were forced underground. Only 1% of the population survived, but they managed to rebuild civilization through the governance of an elite seven and their AI control system known as La Cupula. As with any sci-fi story centered around cataclysm, and the survival of humanity things take a dark dystopian turn with the ruling seven treating the population as servants to their order out of chaos. Laws are introduced that prohibit freedoms including the listening to of music. 

Thus a rebellion rises up among the ranks via a secret group known as the Discordantes. This is where our hero comes in. A delivery boy named Nittch who is guided to deliver a package to the Discordantes, and aide in the taking down of La Cupula. What ensues is a rhythmic precision platforming experience with puzzle elements that are accented by El Salvadorian songs that help you keep the pace as you run, jump, slide, and bash your way through the parkour friendly playground of Antro.

Antro, while heavily influenced by music and the rhythm of it, plays out more like a precision platformer with puzzle elements. As Nittch with package in tow you must run, jump, slide, and beat your way through the obstacle laden path as you make use of the environmental elements that play into these mechanics. You'll encounter rhythm based puzzles that require timed button presses, and even the odd switch puzzle that will have you flipping switches in the right order to open up the blocked path.

Stages in Antro are lengthy, and are broken up into districts going all the way to D3 (District 3). Each district having multiple checkpointed sections broken up into puzzle solving, and music track focused sub-sections. As you progress you'll find collectibles that divulge the secrets of this underground society, and spray cans that allow Nittch to leave his mark on what's left of the world. All of which plays into the achievements section of the main menu, and the PSN trophies you'll earn alongside them. 

Each district's theme changes along the way offering increasingly challenging platforming puzzles, and less checkpoints. Making nailing the run the first go around a must if you don't want to keep repeating the ordeal like it's Groundhog's day. Along with each thematic district difference comes new hazards, and enemies in the form of patrolling AI controlled robots. Things that you'll have to mind as you make your way through each section. In the end the ultimate goal is to get Nittch and his precious cargo to the end point. A place that will, through cryptic messaging and imagery, hint at what this journey through dystopian Hell was all about.

The Presentation ...

Antro is a mostly side-scrolling 2.5D puzzle platformer laid out like a parkour obstacle course. It is a world stage built of makeshift buildings, industrial infrastructure, and futuristic AI controlled components. All dully lit by neon lights and random fires as if it were some Bladerunner fan fiction from the Spanish speaking part of the world. 

This action packed, and dynamic spectacle that does often change perspectives, holds a lot of hidden secrets and nods to real world resistance against tyrannical regimes. An obvious warning about unlimited power in the wrong hands. It reminds us through it's storied cinematic sections that there are things worth fighting for, for the sake of humanity and it's freedom. This in tandem with a soundtrack filled with powerful songs of the Spanish kind that harbor equally as powerful messages in the lyrics helps to expand on the resistance side of this dystopian tale. A possible call to action. All while adding a rhythm and beat that plays into timed traversal.

The Verdict ...

Antro is a game with a deep message about tyranny, and the resistance against it. That, and the consequences of tyranny unchecked. It's gameplay is fast paced, fun, and frenetic. The song elements all complimenting this setup through rhythm and beats that proceed your progress. Giving you a timing mechanism with which to properly time each action. And while it mostly nails the challenges it offers there are some moments where the precision demanded is too much, and will force an exact reaction/action lest you repeat in frustration. The fact that there is zero hand holding, and little in the way of mechanics explanation makes the whole thing a learning experience. You'll find that a lot of the progress made is built purely upon trial and error, in this regard. Even so it's a game worth playing through to the end at least once for it's underlying messages.