Sword Sage: Awakening feels like a breezier kind of Soulslike, and it's not just the adorable tea-serving panda that's got me intrigued
Amazingly, the thing that's sold me on Sword Sage: Awakening potential isn't the adorable red panda deity who poofs out of thin air to serve you restorative tea whenever you rest up at its cheery Soulslike bonfire equivalent - although I'll admit it comes close. As its silly tea-stop interludes suggest, Sword Sage - which joins the rising swell of China-developed Soulslikes drawing inspiration…
Sword Sage: Awakening captures the essence of a breezier Soulslike, and it's the delightful tea-serving panda that has piqued my interest. The adorable red panda deity who appears to serve restorative tea whenever you take a break at its cheerful bonfire equivalent is an enticing aspect, but it's not the sole reason for my intrigue. Sword Sage, developed by Sword Panda Games, offers a unique spin on the China-developed Soulslikes that draw inspiration from the country's rich folklore.
The standout feature of Sword Sage lies in its distinctive tone. Compared to the somber atmosphere of typical Soulslike games, Sword Sage feels positively buoyant. This is evident from the beginning, as you encounter Pei Sanniang, the novice disciple of the Yuangong Sect. Pei is an endearing character, animated enthusiastically as she bounds up ladders, launches into elegant attacks, and performs silly mid-air twirls during jumps.
Pei and her sect specialize in eliminating yaoguai, malevolent entities from Chinese folklore. The game unfolds along the Cypress Path, a misty mountain pass filled with verdant greenery, rickety wooden walkways, and eventually, cloud-swaddled pagodas piercing the bright blue sky. The atmosphere is refreshing, as gentle birdsong instead of discordant moans accompanies the sound of swirling limbs and dancing blades.
The game's lighter tone is maintained through various encounters. You navigate yaoguai-dotted pathways with occasional branches offering brief exploratory detours. Enemies may appear openly or employ FromSoftware-style cheekiness, such as hiding under ledges for a surprise backstab. Periodically, a glowing kettle lantern marks the location of a tea shop run by Rosy Roundhound, where players can rest, restore their limited elixirs, and reset the world.
While Sword Sage shares similarities with traditional Soulslike games, it introduces a more action-oriented combat experience. There are no runbacks, and experience points are earned by completing quests and defeating yaoguai. Accumulated experience is automatically converted into merits, which can be spent on upgrades in a busy skill tree. The game's developers aim to provide a warmer and less punishing experience compared to other Soulslike titles.
The combat system revolves around Pei's exuberant swordplay, involving rapid succession of slashes that drain an enemy's Vital Energy until their defenses are down. This opens them up to a powerful Vital Strike capable of significant damage. Pei can also break enemy shields and cancel defensive stances with a swirling kick or block incoming attacks at the expense of weapon durability.
Weapons break quickly in Sword Sage, but they can be reforged and restored to full strength with a satisfying clank and whir at the press of a button.
Sword Sage's unique evasion system replaces familiar rolls with Evade Cyan dodges and Strike Red counters. By holding the block button and tapping the right stick at the right moment, players can escape harm. However, matching the evasion to the direction of an enemy's attack can lead to powerful follow-up counters. The game incorporates boon-granting talismans, craftable consumable relics, and the ability to switch between two equipped weapons at any time. These features contribute to a balletic combat experience with its own distinctive rhythm.
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