Overview
Every Anima has both a combat mode and a utility mode. In utility mode, Anima serve as mounts and traversal tools for open-world exploration. Pressing the R key triggers the equipped Anima's utility ability, which varies depending on the creature. These abilities are not just shortcuts; they are often needed to reach hidden areas, solve puzzles, and progress through the story.
Movement types
Type | Description | Example Anima |
|---|---|---|
Riding | Mount the Anima for faster ground movement | Damasque (horse-like Anima) |
Flying | Take to the air for vertical exploration. Press Space to ascend. | Kiana has been shown flying on an aquatic-themed Anima |
Gliding | The Anima carries the player for long aerial glides across terrain | Frigull |
Bouncing | The Anima is a jump pad, launching the player high into the air to reach elevated areas | Puddlipup |
Surfing | Travel across water surfaces | Water-type Anima (specific names not confirmed) |
Non-traversal utility
Some Anima have utility abilities that help with exploration without involving movement.
Nomnom: Can open doors and shatter obstacles, demolishing structures blocking the path
Vulberry: Can apply cake to NPCs' faces to increase favorability, useful for building reputation
Some Anima can temporarily blind NPCs, allowing players to access restricted items or areas
Strategic exploration
Having the right Anima equipped determines what parts of the world the player can access. A flying Anima opens up aerial exploration routes, while a surfing Anima lets the player cross bodies of water. This means team composition matters outside of combat too, and players may need to swap their equipped Anima based on what terrain they expect to encounter.