《艾維塔：希望之旅》（Awita: Journey of Hope）是橫向卷軸類的銀河惡魔城（Metroidvania）單人風格冒險遊戲，登陸於Steam平台，由獨立開發團隊ant game projects製作與發行。融合動作戰鬥與探索元素，以一段關於絕望與重生、個人意志與希望的史詩旅程為核心。

劇情設定於幻想中古風格的王國，在神秘疫病蔓延後，人民陷入恐慌與絕望。主角艾維塔原本只是隱居在邊境村莊的平凡少女，直到她的家園因疫病而崩毀，親人失散，村民病亡，世界彷彿正在走向終點。面對一切皆失的命運，她並未選擇屈服，而是主動拿起長劍、披上盔甲，決意踏上尋找解藥與拯救世界的旅程。在旅程中，將穿越被遺忘的古老森林、荒廢城鎮、地下遺跡與污染蔓延的荒野，不僅直面巨大而詭異的怪物與BOSS，還將與其他倖存者建立聯繫，逐步拼湊出這場災厄背後的真相。

操作方面，延續銀河惡魔城類型的經典核心：自由探索與能力逐步解鎖。開始僅擁有基本的劍技與跳躍能力，但隨著劇情推進，可逐步學習更複雜的技能，如空中連擊、格擋反擊、位移衝刺與魔法強化攻擊。部分場景與地形在初期無法進入，需等取得特定技能後回頭解鎖，構成環環相扣、層層深入的地圖設計。

強調動作感與手感流暢的打擊節奏，對每次揮劍與翻滾都有著嚴格判定，敵人攻擊軌跡與BOSS模式設計也極具挑戰性。戰鬥系統融入近戰連段與體力管理機制，讓玩家需在攻防之間做出快速抉擇。部分BOSS甚至擁有階段變化與特殊招式，要求玩家熟悉動作邏輯並善用新習得的能力。

此外，角色成長系統也與探索相互結合。透過戰鬥與探索可獲得經驗與素材，用來升級生命、耐力、技能點與武器裝備。部分NPC還可協助鍛造武器或販售特殊道具，提供更多戰術選擇與風格變化。

在藝術風格上，採用精緻的像素美術搭配深色系背景與柔光濾鏡，營造出濃厚的奇幻末世氛圍。從古老城牆被藤蔓覆蓋的廢墟，到深夜被紫霧籠罩的靜默村莊，每一張地圖都充滿細節與層次感。角色動畫柔順，動作銜接自然，配樂則以憂傷與希望交織的旋律為主，進一步強化劇情的情感張力。

就市場評價而言，雖為小型獨立作品，但自體驗版與預告釋出以來即受到不少銀河惡魔城愛好者與動作RPG粉絲的關注。玩家普遍稱讚其打擊感紮實、探索節奏合理，並認為其劇情情感描寫與美術風格具有強烈個人特色。目前Steam頁面獲得「極度好評」的用戶評價，部分玩家甚至將其與《Hollow Knight》《Salt and Sanctuary》等作品相比，視為同類型中的優秀新作。

總的來說，《艾維塔：希望之旅》不僅是技術層面成熟的銀河惡魔城式作品，更是一場充滿情感與哲思的救贖之旅。它講述的不僅是主角對抗疫病與怪物的戰鬥，更是面對絕望仍不放棄希望的人性光芒。對於喜愛挑戰性動作與深度探索的玩家來說，本作無疑值得一試。

Awita: Journey of Hope is a side-scrolling, single-player Metroidvania-style adventure game available on Steam, developed and published by the indie studio ant game projects. Blending action combat with exploration, the game centers on a powerful journey of despair and rebirth, personal will, and the pursuit of hope.

Set in a fantasy medieval kingdom plagued by a mysterious disease, the story begins as the population descends into fear and hopelessness. The protagonist, Avita, is an ordinary girl living in a remote village on the edge of the realm. When her home is devastated by the plague—family gone, villagers dead, and the world seemingly on the brink of collapse—she refuses to surrender to despair. Taking up her sword and donning armor, she embarks on a quest to find a cure and save her world. Throughout her journey, she traverses forgotten ancient forests, ruined towns, underground ruins, and wastelands consumed by corruption. Along the way, she faces monstrous and grotesque bosses, builds bonds with other survivors, and gradually uncovers the truth behind the catastrophe.

In terms of gameplay, Awita: Journey of Hope retains the core elements of the Metroidvania genre—free exploration and progressive ability unlocking. Players begin with only basic sword techniques and jumping capabilities, but as the story unfolds, they can acquire increasingly complex skills such as aerial combos, parries, dashes, and enhanced magical attacks. Some areas are initially inaccessible and can only be reached after acquiring specific abilities, encouraging players to revisit earlier zones, forming a tightly interwoven and multilayered map structure.

The game emphasizes tight combat mechanics and responsive controls, with each sword swing and dodge carefully calculated. Enemy attack patterns and boss fights are designed to be challenging, with some bosses featuring multi-phase transformations and unique abilities that require players to master movement patterns and strategically use newly learned skills. The combat system incorporates melee combos and stamina management, requiring quick decision-making in the heat of battle.

Character progression is deeply integrated with exploration. By defeating enemies and exploring the world, players earn experience points and gather materials to upgrade health, stamina, skill trees, and equipment. Some NPCs can assist in forging weapons or selling rare items, allowing for a wide variety of combat styles and tactical approaches.

Artistically, the game features detailed pixel art paired with moody, dark-toned backgrounds and soft lighting filters to evoke a haunting, post-apocalyptic fantasy atmosphere. From ruins overgrown with vines to villages cloaked in purple mist at night, each location is rich with detail and visual depth. Character animations are smooth and well-connected, while the soundtrack blends melancholy with hope, enhancing the emotional resonance of the story.

In terms of market reception, although it’s a small-scale indie title, Awita: Journey of Hope has received considerable attention from Metroidvania fans and action RPG enthusiasts since the release of its demo and trailers. Players have widely praised the satisfying combat, well-paced exploration, and the game’s distinct emotional narrative and visual style. It currently holds a “Very Positive” rating on Steam. Some players even compare it favorably to titles like Hollow Knight and Salt and Sanctuary, citing it as a strong new entry in the genre.

Overall, Awita: Journey of Hope is not only a technically sound Metroidvania game but also an emotional and philosophical tale of redemption. More than just a fight against disease and monsters, it is a story about clinging to hope in the face of despair. For players who enjoy challenging action and deep exploration, this game is undoubtedly worth the journey.