The upcoming Soulslike title, The Relic: First Guardian, sets players as the First Guardian tasked with restoring the shattered world of Arsilutus. The game draws inspiration from the Souls series but aims to distinguish itself through its narrative approach and combat mechanics.
The world of Arsilutus has been plunged into chaos following the destruction of the Great Relic, leaving behind a land inhabited by both humans and monsters. Players will explore this cursed land, gathering fragments to reform the Great Relic and save the world.
A World of Untold Stories
Instead of relying heavily on cutscenes or a singular central narrative, The Relic: First Guardian incorporates storytelling through environmental details and scattered relics. These elements offer glimpses into the lives and fates of the world's inhabitants, with many stories drawing inspiration from Asian folklore. These narrative fragments are fully voiced and presented as brief snapshots, encouraging players to piece together the world's history as they explore.
The game features a semi-open world design, where areas are more confined but allow for free exploration. Players navigate the world by following faint roads and discovering glowing yellow stones, known as Tibelle's Blessings. These function as respawn points, healing stations, and fast-travel anchors, akin to bonfires or sites of grace in other Soulslike titles.
Combat and Progression
Combat in The Relic: First Guardian involves familiar Soulslike mechanics such as attacking, blocking, and dodging. However, the game emphasizes deliberate timing over rapid input. Attacks and defensive actions take time to execute, making precise timing crucial for success. Unlike some contemporaries, the stamina meter does not deplete when attacking, allowing for more aggressive offense. Magic abilities, such as a flame projectile, are available on a cooldown rather than consuming a dedicated magic meter.
A significant focus is placed on boss encounters, with over 70 planned for the game. Each boss is designed as a distinct combat puzzle, requiring players to adapt their strategies. For example, one boss, Branko the Bloodstained Shield, necessitates patient parrying to break his stance, while another, Entom the Starved, requires precise dodging due to unblockable attacks. The design of these bosses and the lore preceding them contribute to the game's narrative depth.
Progression in The Relic: First Guardian primarily revolves around equipment rather than a traditional level-up system. Players acquire Relics by defeating bosses, which offer stat boosts and passive abilities. Armor pieces also provide defensive bonuses and can influence gameplay through perks. Weapon upgrades are handled through dedicated upgrade trees for various weapon types, powered by Ancient Relic Energy found during exploration. These upgrades can unlock new character abilities and attacks.
The Relic: First Guardian is slated for release on July 31 for PC and PlayStation 5.