Mato Anomalies (v2023.09.21 & ALL DLC)

A rain-slicked city of old-world alleyways, neon towers, and spiritual corruption gives this anime RPG a moodier identity than its colorful character art initially suggests. Mato Anomalies follows detective Doe and exorcist Gram, two protagonists working different sides of a conspiracy that threatens to consume the neo-futuristic metropolis of Mato. Their investigation moves between everyday streets, shady factions, and supernatural Rifts hiding beyond normal reality. The result is a story-heavy adventure built around conspiracies, uneasy alliances, and the clash between modern technology and demonic forces.

Doe handles the detective work, questioning residents, accepting cases, visiting businesses, and collecting the information needed to identify dangerous Rifts. Gram takes the lead once trouble starts, guiding a party of eccentric allies through turn-based battles against monsters in warped pocket dimensions. Combat emphasizes team construction rather than simple elemental counters: the entire party shares one health pool, while equipment grids, character talents, and skill timing encourage careful planning. Fights can become demanding when enemies exploit weak defenses, so upgrading gear and building a balanced squad matters as much as choosing attacks. Dialogue choices and relationship-building scenes add context to the companions, while exploration keeps the plot moving through compact city districts rather than an enormous open world.

Its strongest feature is the contrast between investigative urban fantasy and stylized RPG combat. Mato feels distinct because its retro-inspired Chinese cityscape mixes market streets and traditional architecture with sci-fi signage, surveillance, and occult intrusion. The dual-lead structure gives the narrative a welcome shift in perspective, even if the pacing occasionally favors long conversations over action. Players who enjoy Persona-style modern supernatural mysteries, turn-based party strategy, and anime ensemble stories find plenty to like here. Newcomers can manage the accessible basics, but RPG veterans get more from experimenting with the gear matrix and shared-health battle system.