ANKI is a small-scale arcade platforming experience built around an unconventional approach to movement. Rather than depending exclusively on familiar running and jumping mechanics, the game makes directional teleportation a central part of navigating its stages. Developed by Wojciech Krupinski and published by KrupinskiArt, it has the unmistakable character of an independently produced title, favoring a focused mechanical idea over elaborate storytelling or technically ambitious presentation.
The main objective involves traveling through compact environments while collecting crystals. Movement can take the player across different directions and positions, turning what initially appears to be straightforward platforming into a spatial challenge. Successful play requires understanding where teleportation will place the character, determining an effective route through each environment, and reaching the necessary collectibles. This mechanic gives the game its strongest identity, since progress is less about conventional platforming precision and more about becoming comfortable with its unusual navigation system.
There are 50 levels to work through, giving the central concept enough room to gradually test the player's familiarity with its mechanics. The stages revolve around locating crystals and figuring out efficient ways to reach them, with later challenges naturally becoming easier to understand once teleportation begins to feel intuitive. The game also provides three difficulty settings, which is useful for a relatively simple arcade title because players can choose between a more relaxed experience and something that demands greater concentration.
Crystal collection has additional importance beyond simply completing an immediate objective. The collected resources are tied to unlocking further content through the game's shop system, providing a basic progression loop that encourages players to search thoroughly rather than rushing through every environment. Crystals also contribute to the game's emphasis on coloring its worlds, connecting progression with the visual presentation. It is not an elaborate customization system, but it adds a little personality to the collecting process and makes gathering items feel more purposeful.
Visually, ANKI adopts a colorful, abstract style rather than pursuing realism. Its graphics are uncomplicated, and players accustomed to modern independent platformers may find the environments fairly basic. Nevertheless, the simplicity works reasonably well with the game's arcade-oriented structure. The focus remains on clearly understanding the environment, spotting collectibles, and judging movement opportunities. There is a homemade quality to the overall presentation that reflects the project's modest production scale.
Music accompanies the action with a selection of five tracks. The soundtrack supports the light arcade atmosphere, although having only a handful of tracks means repetition can become noticeable when playing through many stages consecutively. This makes ANKI particularly suitable for shorter sessions. Completing several levels, collecting crystals, and returning later can be more enjoyable than attempting to consume the entire experience in one prolonged sitting.
The game's greatest strength is also the source of its main weakness. Teleportation provides an unusual hook and creates a recognizable identity, but most of the experience continues to revolve around navigating stages and collecting crystals. Players who become invested in mastering that movement system can enjoy improving their routes and clearing the available levels. Players expecting substantial mechanical evolution, narrative development, complex puzzles, combat systems, or extensive character progression may find the overall structure repetitive after the novelty settles.
ANKI is therefore best approached as an experimental arcade game rather than a large platforming adventure. Its 50 stages, multiple difficulty options, collectible progression, colorful presentation, and teleportation mechanics provide a respectable amount of activity within its narrow scope. It does not attempt to overwhelm the player with features, instead concentrating almost entirely on making its unusual movement concept the foundation of the experience.
Steam Deck compatibility is currently best regarded as unverified rather than officially supported. There is no established Steam Deck compatibility rating to guarantee a seamless handheld experience. Given the game's lightweight nature and relatively modest technical demands, it may be possible to run it through Steam Deck's compatibility environment, but players should not interpret that as confirmation of flawless controls, display behavior, or overall functionality.
Ultimately, ANKI is an interesting example of a small independent game taking one distinctive idea and building a complete arcade experience around it. Its limited variety and modest production values prevent it from reaching the depth of more ambitious puzzle-platformers, but its teleportation mechanic provides enough individuality to make it worth considering for players who appreciate unusual indie concepts. Those willing to embrace its simplicity will find a compact collection-driven challenge with a pleasant sense of experimentation.
Rating: 7/10
