Aniimo closed beta: Pokémon-style gacha is familiar but lacks originality

PC Gamer's Lauren reports that Aniimo, a Pokémon-like creature-collecting gacha game currently in closed beta, leans heavily on familiar formulas and "hasn't found enough originality" to win her over. In Aniimo you play as the Pathfinder on the continent Idyll, catching aniimos with aniipods, recording them in an aniilog, "twining" to transform into creatures to use their skills for small open-world puzzles, and fighting high-level world boss aniimos in real-time combat.

The game uses elemental strengths and weaknesses and stages like Lumin to Gamma for progression. The beta exposes many standard gacha systems: multiple currencies, limited-time event menus, upgrade trees and repetitive busywork. Lauren also flagged cosmetic issues in the build—harsh lighting, poor voice-line audio and awkward animations—that she expects could be polished before launch.

She did praise features that stand out in the beta, especially multiplayer: hub areas, accessible chat channels and easy party invites for cooperative exploration and alpha aniimo fights. Lauren also liked ecosystem interactions that encourage seeking specific aniimos—such as transforming to attract packs or joining a singing group—but wants those systems to grow more complex at higher levels.

Aniimo remains in closed beta and plans to launch sometime in 2026 without a firm date.

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