Yasha Legends of the Demon Blade Preview – A Fun Roguelite set in fantasy Japan

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Instead of what my friends think, I actually take pleasure in playing roguelite RPGs. It’s a mix of my strong-willed nature and the engaging elements such as an imaginative world, exciting combat, and diverse adversaries that attract me to them. To my delight, Yasha: Legends of the Demon Blade seems to embody all these aspects, at least based on the brief demo we were given.

Yasha Legends of the Demon Blade Preview on PC

As an ardent fan, I’ve been granted the thrilling chance to delve into the captivating universe of Yasha, a world that beautifully blends Japan’s Edo era with an intriguing twist. In this enthralling journey, I find myself battling demons and relentlessly pursuing the Nine Tails, the charismatic leader whose enigmatic charm has me eagerly anticipating more revelations about them.

The aesthetic leans more towards anime, an appropriate choice for a tale set in Japan. Each playable character – Shigure, Sara, and Taketoro – boasts a lively design and endearing traits. Out of the trio, I’ve found myself particularly drawn to Shigure; she has this quirky habit of trying to consume every defeated demon enemy (I can relate!).

Playing Shigure initially might not make the intricate connections between the stories of the three characters immediately clear, but you’ll catch a hint in the sections featuring Sara and Taketoro. I’m eagerly anticipating how the story will unfold further and how many more glimpses into the other characters’ lives we’ll get when the entire game is finally released.

Each of the three characters possesses a unique combat technique. Shigure favors her demon swords, seamlessly transitioning between them during a fight. I’m particularly fond of how enhancing the stats on one sword influences the other. My preferred duo is Sakura Blossom and Summer Rain.

The Oni Emissary character named Sara employs dual blades, which closely matches my preferred playstyle (hack-and-slash). Additionally, one of her weapons is intriguing – a Spring Dango. This weapon has the ability to summon dumplings that Sara eats for the Bloom effect and also provides a protective shield. It’s quite an original concept for a game weapon.

Taketora employs a versatile fighting approach, alternating between Ranged and Melee attacks. I’m more of a close-quarters combat fan myself, but handling him isn’t overly challenging. He seems tailor-made for the Squid Boss in the demo.

In terms of adversaries, they come in many shapes and forms. In the main part of the demo, which is largely set on the beach, you’ll face off against crabs, peculiar duck-like creatures, humanoid demons, and spirits. Additionally, there are two smaller boss battles and one major boss battle, each with distinct attack strategies that may require a few attempts to master.

The task immediately proves to be tough, and I’m yet to master dodging the squid’s wave attack. In response, I maximize my healing abilities, endure the blows when needed, resurrect if it becomes essential, and inflict as much damage as my skills allow.

Instead of referring to the beach area, we briefly glimpse a location that unmistakably embodies autumn, brimming with reds and oranges in its surroundings. It’s quite picturesque, prompting me to ponder whether our journey will encompass all seasons. Could it be that this shift in weather is somehow connected to the Nine-Tailed Fox?

If you’ve had experience with Hades, then you’ll recognize this style of leveling Skills. In the village, you can upgrade your Skills by gathering Coins and Soul Orbs. You can also buy Blessings, ask for more favorable presents from the adorable cats at the Neko shrine, and indulge in delicious food during the Demon Festival (a resting area).

All in all, the demo suggests that the game holds great promise, and I can’t wait to be fully immersed once Yasha: Legends of the Demon Blade is officially out. The gameplay has me eagerly anticipating more challenges to conquer.

As a fellow gaming enthusiast, if you’re eager to learn more about upcoming Dungeons & Dragons adventures, I’d recommend taking a peek at the Solasta 2 Preview over at GamerTop. It offers an enticing sneak peek into the new adventure that Solasta has in store for us!

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2025-02-25 21:21