▼ Summary
– The writer initially doubted a 15-minute demo could showcase Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree but found roguelites excel in short previews.
– Towa is an action roguelite with an isometric perspective, where players choose two guardians to battle enemies and defeat the villain Magatsu across hand-drawn environments.
– The game features a unique two-weapon combat system that forces players to switch between weapons to maintain effectiveness, adding strategic depth.
– The demo impressed with vibrant hand-drawn visuals, engaging combat mechanics, and a roster of eight guardians offering varied playstyles.
– Despite initial skepticism, the writer was captivated by the game, which releases on September 19 for Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, and PC.
Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree delivers a fresh take on the roguelite genre with its vibrant art style and engaging combat mechanics. What started as an unknown title quickly became a standout during a brief 15-minute demo, showcasing how effectively the game introduces its world and gameplay loop in a short time.
The isometric action roguelite tasks players with selecting two guardians from a diverse roster, each wielding unique abilities tied to sacred weapons. During the demo, Nishiki, a towering half-koi warrior, and Rekka, a swift samurai, demonstrated the game’s dual-weapon combat system, where alternating between fast and heavy attacks keeps battles dynamic. This mechanic prevents combat from feeling repetitive, forcing players to master both fighting styles for optimal performance.
Visually, the game shines with hand-drawn environments bursting with color, from lush forests to eerie mountain paths. Even enemy designs pop with personality, making exploration a delight. The roguelite structure follows familiar beats, clearing rooms, collecting temporary upgrades (called Graces), and facing increasingly tough foes, but the weapon-swapping twist adds depth.
One standout feature is the seamless transition between weapons, ensuring players never feel stuck with a weakened option. With eight guardians planned for the full release, each offering distinct playstyles, the potential for varied runs is enormous. The demo concluded with a challenging boss fight, hinting at the escalating difficulty awaiting players.
Originally skeptical about Bandai Namco’s venture into roguelites, the hands-on experience proved surprisingly compelling. Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree blends charm, strategy, and replayability into a package that’s hard to ignore. Mark your calendars for its September 19 launch on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
(Source: GameSpot)
