AK-Xolotl Review: Cute and Deadly (PS5)

AK-Xolotl is a top-down shooter, with twin-stick shooting mechanics and a cutesy 2D pixel art-style. Developed by 2Awesome Studios and published by Playstack Games, AK-Xolotl takes our favourite endangered amphibian and puts them in a different type of fight for survival. The roguelite gameplay loop pushes you through multiple levels, in which you need to shoot down dominant species, collect power-ups and find axolittles to build up your gill-headed clan. 

AK-Xolotl has blasted through all stages and is now available on PlayStation, Xbox Series X/S, Steam and Nintendo Switch for £15.99 ($18.99).

Story – Axolotls are Hangry

You begin as a lone axolotl. In reality this wouldn’t be a problem, seeing as the lil’ guys don’t mind solidarity. However in the world of AK-Xolotl, you benefit from finding and raising axolittles for reasons beyond needing company. The overall goal in this bizarre title is to make it through the rooms of each level, collecting resources for your clan or just killing for fun. Inevitably you will perish and be regenerated in your camp. Each time you will bring back food, gems or, if it went really bad, just the experience. 

As you try and fail your first couple of runs, you return to find a few fluffy and feathery companions have come to your aid. Your camp expands on a couple of occasions. A useful chicken named Nugget shows you the ropes of child rearing, and a cat that definitely does not like you offers you weaponry. At a price, of course. Other vendors to appear are a good doggo selling treats, a shady vulture and archivists who keep track of weapons, power-ups and enemies encountered. 

AK-Xolotl is surprisingly charming considering the guns and exploding bunnies.

Gameplay – Eat, Kill, Die, Repeat

In roguelite fashion, the trying and dying gameplay loop is essential, and you are unlikely to progress past the first biome on your first try. Each level consists of seven rooms, appearing in random order. Enemies are also randomly generated; rodents and an assortment of other critters spawn in with their own attack styles. Some of these rooms have a higher number of enemies, appearing in waves, and later levels can become chaotic with the constant array of bullets being sprayed.  

Once all of the nuisances have been eliminated, a chest drops in. The reward of these chests is determined by room, predicted through markings on the floor. As you learn the meaning behind each imprint, you are able to take advantage of which item would better aid your progression. Some, including those awarded for defeating a boss, produce gems to use in camp. This will allow you to buy power-ups and secondary weapons which can then appear in the loot-chests dropped. 

A range of firearms and explosives cause frequent chaos.

Weapon Range

There are eight primary weapons to be unlocked, which can be found on their own pedestal’s in front of the cave entrance. These firearms consist of pistols, shotguns or the standard AK rifle from which the game derives its punny title. In addition to the range of guns on offer, there are melee weapons, yet these were insignificant in comparison to the damage of the heavier weapons. The left thumbstick is used to move your axolotl, and the right used to aim. R2 to fire and L2 is used to activate your ability, which varies on your axolotl cuisine of choice. 

Although the gameplay loop is satisfying and the learning curve not too steep, I found the twin-stick shooting a little difficult to master. Even with the aim-assist set to Extreme, the crosshair marker sometimes seemed out of control, creating the feel of shooting from your tiny hip. There were also multiple occasions where pulling the right trigger to shoot didn’t register, leaving moments of desperation when your gun seemed to jam.

Boss Battles 

The end of each set of levels is marked by a larger foe. Ranging from a very crabby boss to a snoozing snake and even eldritch entities, all of the bosses have move-sets to be memorised. Similar to other elements in the game, these appear randomly, so their order cannot be learned. Ideal during boss battles is the dash mechanic. Tapping L1 allows your axolotl to showcase their physical prowess as they perform a dodge roll which, when timed correctly, can be used to avoid all attacks. This can prevent damage from bullets and charging enemies.

Well-timed dodges can avoid excessive damage.

Feeding Axolittles

One of the room types you will come across contains a baby axolotl, who will meet you back in camp in their relevant pen. You must nurture your axolittles for them to grow big and strong. This is done through a handful of simple mini-games, including cleaning, feeding and diapering the rainbow pooping babies to provide them enough  attention. You can then grow the young salamanders by serving up a dish fresh from the cauldron. 

Food is prepared using ingredients which grow in the various terrains, the effects of each meal differing depending on the combination. A meal I found particularly useful was the courageous potatoes. This granted the chonky perk, which makes you slightly slower yet provides two shields at the start of each run. Not to be ignored is dessert, and this is true for AK-Xolotl too, as these offer more abilities for your axolotl troops which can benefit you in game.

There is another, more sinister, option. The vulture who sets up shop in your camp will exchange permanent perks for axolittle happiness. As cruel as it seems, the benefits out-weigh the feelings of guilt. Improving your primary weapon damage and quicker reload times are well worth a visit to the sacrificial crystal with the kids. They will forgive you after a few days too, allowing you to nurture them again to harvest their joy. 

There are benefits to sacrificing your axolittles happiness.

Audio and Graphics – Cute Gun

All seven biomes have their own distinctive palette; beginning with verdant greens, turning to dusty sands and pastel pinks as you shoot your way through the charming 2D pixel art. While unable to fully capture the iridescence of the wide range of an axolotl’s skin, 2Awesome Studio definitely make use of artistic license to create adorable species of axolotl, featuring bumblebee and cow themed amphibians to name a few.

Each of the environments are musically divided as well as visually. Electric guitar riffs in the background, the beat punctuated by the sound of charming little animals shooting each other. In contrast to the fast-paced soundtrack of gunfire, safe spaces, such as the shop or axolittle rooms, are paired with the relaxing strums of acoustic guitars or ukuleles, layered with tweeting birds for extra atmosphere.    

AK-Xolotl was review on PS5 with a key provided by Playstack.