Seeking Tea: Is There A Subtle Connection Between Aether Gazer and Exos Heroes?

A player recently sparked a community discussion by questioning whether there is a subtle connection between 'Aether Gazer' and the older title 'Ex Deus Academia'. The user noted similarities in themes, progression systems (such as the 'Sigil' and 'Soul' mechanics), and the combat system where one character is controlled while two remain as AI-driven teammates.

The post quickly polarized the community. Some users felt comparing the two was a form of malicious framing, pointing out that the infamous 'NTR controversy' (referring to player outrage over the game's plot) associated with 'Ex Deus Academia' sets them fundamentally apart.

Debates regarding UI and gameplay followed. Some players found the UI design unoriginal, even going as far as to label 'Aether Gazer' a 'lite version' of 'Punishing: Gray Raven'. However, more experienced observers argued that the real issue isn't plagiarism, but rather the game's 'spaghetti code' (a Chinese slang term for messy, bug-prone programming), which causes constant issues despite the developers' rapid response to community backlash.

Ultimately, some commenters suggested that instead of obsessing over potential influences, the game should simply be viewed as a 'low-pressure' alternative for players tired of the power creep in 'Honkai Impact 3rd' or the high-intensity combat of 'Punishing: Gray Raven'.