I AI Review (PlayStation 4)

by Jim Smale · November 30, 2020

You are self-aware AI. You were created on space military station developing weapons. Now your goal is to break out of the lab and win your freedom. But you will not be allowed to escape so easily. Make your way through the enemy army on the way to the stargate.

Pros:

Nice graphics.
1.34GB download size.
Platinum trophy.
Three difficulties-easy, normal and hard.
Auto fire-on/off.
Shmup gameplay.
Campaign-hangar to buy upgrades for your ship and a level select Web.
Collect shards to use for upgrades, they fall from enemies.
End of a level breakdown showing the percentage of enemies killed and how many shards you got.
In-game cutscenes with voice over.
Earn 1-3 rating per level.
Can replay levels.
2D vertical scrolling viewpoint.
The ability has a set amount of uses per level.
Easy trophy list.
Simple to learn controls.
Fast loading times.
Death-keep shards but lose a percentage.
Maze style sections where you need precision movement.
Pickups are in-game from health to ability charges.
Ability to grind out shards and level up.
Health bars show for enemies and bosses.
Big boss fights.
Bullet hell elements.
Satisfying vibration alert when killing enemies.
Learn the patterns.
No score-chasing just shooting.
Difficulty means nothing except more of a challenge.
As you upgrade your ship it will start to randomly fire rockets, rays, and such meaning you visibility do better and it looks more actiony.
New enemies appear as you progress.

I AI Review (PlayStation 4)

Cons:

Only one control layout.
No tutorials.
Very basic in terms of enemy placement and action.
The slowdown can happen and the game momentarily stops when you die.
The difficulty has no bearing on trophies, score, or progression.
Menus stick at times meaning multiple presses or backing out and in again.
Initially, you are weak and your guns are crap and this is the case for quite a while.
Can’t skip cutscenes even after replaying a level.
No real soundtrack just the noise of the gun.
Having an enemy kill percentage tied to your level rank stinks.

I AI Review (PlayStation 4)

7/10

Graphics - 7/10
6/10

Sound - 6/10
8/10

Accessibility - 8/10
7/10

Length - 7/10
7/10

Fun Factor - 7/10

7/10

Summary

I have played a lot of shmups, it’s no secret that over the last year I have touched a lot of the best shmups ever created and loved every minute. With this knowledge, it means when a Shmup passes my desk it gets heavily criticized and dissected as is right. Enter I AI and let’s face it it has no real unique Gimmick, it has no real soundtrack to speak of and the gameplay is basic, yet I cannot stop playing it! All you do is shoot things, collect shards and upgrade your ship that’s it. Maybe its because I have played so many Gimmick shooters and hardcore shmups that having none of that mean I can just chill and shoot, maybe doing nothing are the new Gimmick? Either way, the game is basic it has little going for the visual wise but it has a great sense of achievement and is so much fun to play.