Just Announced, Mato Anomalies Is a Turn-Based RPG Set in a Futuristic Neo-Noir Vision of Old Shanghai

Fight for what you hold dear

by Khayl Adam Fri 15th Jul 2022

Announced today, Mato Anomalies is a neo-noir RPG developed by Shanghai-based studio Arrowiz, and it's launching in Q1 of 2023 on PS5 and PS4. Playtime is reportedly over 40 hours too, so expect a substantial offering.

Featuring a turn-based combat system, players will follow dual protagonists Doe, who is a private detective, and Gram, an exorcist, as they investigate a series of strange anomalies around the city of Mato, a neo-futuristic version of Old Shanghai.

Combat seems quite unique, in Mato Anomalies' health is shared by all team members, which could lead to some interesting tactical situations. There will also be a dual-talent system and gear matrix to allow players to craft their own battle strategies.

In addition, enemy designs are looking great, with dark and gritty aesthetics and high-quality character models. RPG fans will want to keep an eye on this one.

What do you think of this first look at Mato Anomalies? Search for the truth in the comments section below.

[source youtube.com]

Khayl Adam is Push Square's roving Australian correspondent, a reporter tasked with scouring the internet for the richest, most succulent PlayStation stories. With five years of experience as a freelance journalist and mercenary wordsmith, RPGs are his first great love, but strategy and tactics games are a close second, genres in which he is only too happy to specialize.

1
Korgon
Fri 15th Jul 2022

@Grimwood
Couldn't disagree more. There is no reason turn-based and action RPGs can't coexist. You may not enjoy turn-based games personally but some of the best RPGs of all time are turn-based. Persona, Shin Megami Tensei, Trails, the older Final Fantasy games just to name a few off the top of my head.

Again action RPGs are great too. Heck we just had an all time great in Elden Ring but that doesn't mean turn-based games are outdated. It's just a different style of game is all. You don't have to like it but considering how much attention both Microsoft and Nintendo gave to the fact that Persona 3-5 are finally coming to their consoles, I don't think turn-based games are going away anytime soon thankfully.

Now that my mini rant is over, this game looks pretty interesting! I will keep an eye out for more news on it.

2
tameshiyaku
Fri 15th Jul 2022

What a nice looking surprise. This looks really neat. About the previous rant... personally love both turn based and action, but there are some turn based systems that I just find rubbish, such as final fantasie's long lived ATB system, which was thankfully removed with FFX.

3
Kugetsu
Fri 15th Jul 2022

@Grimwood Action combat has become boring, overdone, and generic. Not once have I found an action game in the last few years that has really added anything to the genre yet have played plenty of unique games with "turn-based elements. If you have some Gen Z obsession with something having to happen on the screen at all times to keep you entertained, go watch a movie or play one of the hundred or so action games on the market. There's plenty there for you. This game obviously isn't geared towards people that don't like turn-based combat.

@tameshiyaku. ATB is perfectly fine, in fact in many ways it far exceeds typical turn-based systems by forcing the player to actually stay engaged with the game instead ead of throwing actual strategy out the window (plus, ATB and "turn-based" are two completely different things.) Also FFXII was ATB, so it didn't go away with FFX.

4
johncalmc
Fri 15th Jul 2022

The only way I could be possibly more on board with this is if Nicolas Cage was in it.

5
Niktaw
Fri 15th Jul 2022

this game looks fantastic. After some of the garbage trailers we got last week, like that horrific looking Lord of the Rings game, this was a very nicely put together treat.

6
Niktaw
Fri 15th Jul 2022

@Kugetsu sometimes it’s ok to put the controller down and get a cup of coffee or a snack. It doesn’t make the game any less strategic. Strategy RPGs are turn based.

7
Fiendish-Beaver
Fri 15th Jul 2022

The funny thing is, @Grimwood, that I would probably have skipped this article, had it not mentioned turn-based!

For me, the greatest game of all time is Divinity Original Sin 2 (the first game is great too), and that game is, yes, you guessed it, turn-based.

And now the same developers are making Baldur's Gate 3. Heaven awaits...

8
Flaming_Kaiser
Fri 15th Jul 2022

@Grimwood Why because you dont like it turnbased is awsome what a nonsense. Its something that is not done as much anymore the action stuff is overdone.