Anima Flux: Art of Resistance in a Retro Sci-Fi Dystopia

A retro-futuristic, hand-drawn sci-fi world built with bold artistic vision and layered visual storytelling.

What happens when you merge retro sci-fi, cyberpunk dystopia, and entirely hand-drawn animation? You get Anima Flux—a co-op action platformer that’s visually rich, narratively dense, and uniquely expressive. We spoke with Andrey Grechko, Project Manager in the Marketing Department at JollyCo LLC, about the bold visual direction of the game and how its art connects to its deeper themes.

Official Trailer

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Visual Style

If you had to sum up the visual style of Anima Flux in three words, what would they be?

Bold. Retro-futuristic. Hand-crafted.

Key artwork from Anima Flux showing the game’s two main characters in bold hand-drawn style with retro-futuristic design. — *Image courtesy of JollyCo LLC – Anima Flux © All Rights Reserved*

What’s the boldest artistic risk the team took with Anima Flux, and how did it pay off?

Choosing a fully hand-drawn art style was both a creative ambition and a significant production challenge. Every asset, cutscene, and environment required immense attention to detail and time from our artists. It was a risk that paid off – players have praised the visual identity of the game, and we were honored with a NYX Game Award for Art Direction. It’s been an incredibly rewarding recognition for the team.

With so many visually stunning games out there, what makes Anima Flux stand out artistically?

The hand-drawn animation gives Anima Flux a distinct signature, but what truly sets it apart is the fusion of this traditional technique with retro sci-fi aesthetics. We drew inspiration from classic space operas and cyberpunk dystopias, delivering a gritty, yet expressive visual tone that feels both nostalgic and fresh.

Side-by-side comparison of early concept art and final design of a main female character in Anima Flux, showcasing the transition from sketch to fully rendered hand-drawn art style. — *Image courtesy of JollyCo LLC – Early concept and final design for a lead character in Anima Flux.*

Can you walk us through the evolution of the game’s visuals—from early concept art to the final product?

We began with story-driven concept art, designing each character with their narrative arcs in mind. These early sketches laid the foundation for the cutscenes and in-game animations. As the story and mechanics developed, the visuals evolved, but only through refinements – our core vision remained consistent. Every step in the art process was aligned with the world-building, ensuring visual and narrative cohesion.

Are there any hidden visual details or Easter eggs that players might miss on a casual playthrough?

Absolutely. The world of Anima Flux is layered with subtle narrative hints – environmental storytelling, character designs, and dialogue cues that reveal more about the story on a second or even third playthrough. Secondary characters aren’t just background; they each have depth and visual clues to their backstories embedded in the environments.

How does the art style reflect the core themes or emotions you wanted players to feel while playing?

Each location’s color palette and design language reflects the mood and tension of that part of the space arc. Combined with an evocative soundtrack, the visuals immerse players in a world filled with existential dread, urgency, and moral ambiguity. The stark contrast between the vibrant action and the decaying world helps reinforce the game’s themes of survival and sacrifice.

Side-by-side artwork of the male protagonist from Anima Flux, showing early concept art next to the final detailed hand-drawn design with sci-fi armor and cape. — *Image courtesy of JollyCo LLC – Early concept and final design of the male lead character in Anima Flux.*

Was there a moment when you had to completely rethink an artistic decision?

The foundation of the visual style was solid early on. However, as the narrative deepened, some characters and locations required visual adjustments to better align with story developments. These were refinements rather than overhauls, as our visual storytelling evolved alongside the plot.

When can players expect to experience Anima Flux on all major platforms, including PlayStation and Nintendo Switch?

Anima Flux is already available on Xbox and PC. The next step on our roadmap is a PlayStation 5 release, followed by a Nintendo Switch launch. While we haven’t announced the exact dates, we’ll be sharing all updates through our official channels very soon.

Can you introduce us to the key designers and artists behind Anima Flux? Who led the visual direction and character design, and how did their creative vision bring the game’s unique aesthetic to life?

Visual direction and character design were a team effort, with a strong collaboration between the narrative designer and illustrators. Their combined efforts ensured that every line and color choice carried narrative weight and thematic resonance.

In what ways do you foresee AI potentially assisting or altering the workflows of game artists and designers in the coming years?

While we didn’t use AI in producing the art style of Anima Flux, we recognize its growing role as a tool in the creative process. It can speed up iterations, aid in brainstorming, and help with repetitive tasks. However, we firmly believe that AI can’t replace the emotional depth and originality that human artists bring to the table – it should enhance creativity, not substitute it.

Anima Flux

Release Date: Available Now (PC, Xbox)

Genre: 2D sci-fi action, co-op platformer, hand-drawn

Developer/Publisher: JollyCo LLC

Platforms: Steam, Xbox, PlayStation (coming soon), Nintendo Switch (coming soon)

Click any image below to view the full-size version in the gallery.

Gallery

Anima Flux gameplay screenshot showing co-op action in a dark, overrun corridor with plant-infested walls, vertical platforms, and glowing projectile combat.

Gameplay screenshot showing a combat sequence with AoE blast effect in Anima Flux, highlighting the sci-fi energy visuals and co-op dynamics.

Anima Flux gameplay screenshot showing the protagonists in combat inside a dark military-industrial facility with propaganda posters, enemy units, and neon-lit grime.

Gameplay screenshot from Anima Flux showing the protagonists battling insect-like enemies on industrial conveyor platforms in a scrapyard-themed level.

Anima Flux in-game screenshot of a boss fight sequence, with both protagonists attacking a large multi-limbed mutant enemy in a dark sci-fi arena surrounded by organic growth.

Anima Flux screenshot showing a biome transition scene, with two player characters exploring and a third character standing in a clean sci-fi corridor opposite a dark infested area.

In-game screenshot from Anima Flux showing the protagonists in front of a broken machine leaking green fluid, inside a dark, abandoned lab filled with debris and tension.

In-game screenshot from Anima Flux showing the female protagonist fending off flying red enemies, while the male character aims from a distance in a dark, industrial environment.

Final Thoughts

Anima Flux stands out with its bold hand-drawn style and retro sci-fi energy. Every frame supports the game’s themes of survival, decay, and sacrifice — a true visual experience worth watching.

Written by Ronny Fiksdahl, Founder & Editor-in-Chief of Fix Gaming Channel