Indie outfit Atelier Mimina and publisher Playism recently released Giraffe and Annika for Steam on PC. The game is also scheduled to release on PS4 and Nintendo Switch later into 2020.

The game is inspired by mangas and is described as an adventure-rhythm game. Players take on the role of the cat-eared Annika, who journeys to a magical island and is tasked by the young boy Giraffe to find the missing pieces of the stars.

The game was originally announced for release on home consoles and PC, but only the PC version seems to have released, so far.

Last year the game was announced for three platforms, PC, PS4, and Nintendo Switch. There was even a Switch trailer for the game, as posted up by Dante Nintendo Switch World.

Most people state that the visuals look quite fetching, mostly in regards to the character designs and the general inviting nature of the environments. However, the animations look like they were borrowed from the Unreal Engine asset store.

While Annika doesn’t run or walk bad, albeit stiffly, her jumping animations leave much to be desired.

However, in the updated trailer they did show some improved animations for some of the rhythm-combat sequences.

As you can see, players will have to dodge incoming enemy attacks as well as launch counter attacks using rhythm-timing, not unlike the Metronomicon.

There’s a definite charm to the way the game is designed, with the developers holding true to their word that it looks like a manga brought to life. The manga-style interludes also help reiterate that claim.

What’s more is that they also aren’t shy about the fan-service, as evident in the trailer above.

At least we know the developers aren’t pozzed, right?

Some of the early pre-release reviews for the game also bring up some of the same criticisms I mentioned above about the animations being stiff and somewhat amateurish in parts, but otherwise most people seem to enjoy it for what it is.

Technically, the developers could always tweak the physics with a patch and smooth out the jumping and interaction animations.

If you want to get your hands on the PC version you can do so right now by visiting the Steam store where the game is available for $19.99. Alternatively you can wait for the home console version to release later in the year.

(Thanks for the news tip Wondy Bergers)