Action-packed brawler set in a dark world
AWAKEN - Astral Blade is an action-packed brawler that follows the journey of Tania, a bionic girl on a rescue mission in the dangerous rainforest of Horace Islands. Tasked with saving a missing investigation team, Tania faces off against mutated creatures and plants, fueled by mysterious Karpas energy.
Much like ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights or Blasphemous 2, AWAKEN - Astral Blade offers a dark fantasy adventure across an interconnected Metroidvania-like open world for players to get lost in. That is complemented by a beautiful hand-drawn art style boasting vibrant colors and fluid animations for platforming and combat.
Bionic girl
AWAKEN - Astral Blade centers around a bionic girl named Tania, who was created by an ingenious professor named Dr. Herveus. She is made for a specific purpose, which is to help in the ongoing search-and-rescue operation into the disappearance of an investigation team who led an expedition into the mysterious rainforest of the Horace Islands.
It is said that a dark and mysterious energy known as Karpas is believed to have turned the forest's plant and animal inhabitants into vicious and aggressive mutants. You're now tasked with investigating this strange phenomenon while you conduct your search for the missing explorers and bring them back if at all possible.
Fast-paced combat system
AWAKEN - Astral Blade shines in its fast-paced combat system, offering a variety of combos and abilities to dispatch enemies. Tania's Quick Rise ability helps players regain their footing quickly, and the mechanic of dashing into enemies for damage immunity adds a strategic layer. Parrying attacks also allows you to gain an advantage.
The progression system is flexible and rewarding. For players who may struggle with difficulty, the game allows for lowering the challenge and providing buffs, ensuring accessibility without sacrificing the experience. However, it can feel repetitive over time, with limited variety in enemies and environments that could affect engagement.
Post-launch updates and content
Since it was first released, AWAKEN - Astral Blade has seen several updates aimed at building upon the core gameplay experience, as well as addressing various bugs and issues that players have experienced and pointed out during their time with the game.
Some of the most notable changes include improvements to game balance for a more cohesive combat experience and address the various difficulty spikes that players have noted. Multiple new skills, abilities, and weapon enhancements have been added to allow for better customization and more combinations for your preferred play style.
What's more, multiple special and seasonal events are regularly coming out that introduce new cosmetics items like themed outfits and side quests to take on, providing players with something new and unique every time these types of updates get announced, which are a nice bonus and help with long-term appeal and replayability.
Engaging gameplay
In conclusion, AWAKEN - Astral Blade delivers fast-paced, satisfying combat with a variety of abilities and a flexible progression system. Tania's strategic moves, like dashes and parries, keep the gameplay engaging. While the game offers rewarding action, its repetitive enemies and environments could hinder long-term interest. Still, it’s an enjoyable experience overall.
