Shigure, for one, takes up two blades in pursuit of her master who is in turn chasing the Nine-Tailed Fox, because it entered their village stealing away some of the Demon Blades. Blades which acted as means to stave off war between human, and demonkind. Thus echoing throughout the demon realm a call for revenge. All of which is a result of the morbid legacy of slaughter waged by Yashahime during a bloody period known as the Blood Moon.
Following this violent legend's impact on the world, and their absence afterwards demons have once again sought violence against humans, breaking the once honored truce. It is up to Shigure, Sara a dual sword wielding Oni, and Taketora a tiger samurai with ranged and melee attacks to fight through mobs of demons, and ultimately kill their leader.
As an action roguelike Yasha: Legends of the Demon Blades divides up gameplay into digestible sections of storytelling, upgrading, and combat. As either Shigure, Sara, or Taketora you will, in the main loop of gameplay, take up arms and depart through portals into gated areas of spawning enemies and bosses to clear them out using your upgradeable weapon skills, weapons, and character abilities. By clearing each segmented area of it's threats you will earn coins, and resources that can then be spent at the in between demon realm via vendors, and in the human realm village via the resident blacksmith. Some of which carries over after death for more permanent character upgrades at the resurrection site which will effectively get you to a point where you can finally complete a full run.
Between the sections of action, and upgrades you will learn of each characters' stories as it unfolds in a kind of visual novel fashion. Conversations between NPCs, and key characters of interests flesh out details regarding the current issues, and the legend of Yashahime. In the way of combat each character plays differently and will have upgrades dropped for them in each clearing that will enhance weapon play specifically for them. This in tandem with the crafting of Demon Blades for dropped blacksmith items will effectively change how you approach each and every run. Weapon upgrades via soul orbs are randomly given in optional sets of three. Sadly, these upgrades do not carry over after death, but the skills upgraded through the enemy dropped soul resource upon respawn will effectively strengthen and empower each characters' performance, permanently.
In addition to the main objectives that are clearing out gated sections, intermittent stops found along the way offer alternative ways to upgrade, and spend your resources/currencies. The vendors in the demon realm offer healing, perks that effect health, and a mini-game that has you clearing out a bonus area of enemy demons to a set timer for added rewards. That and a chef will cook up some meals that buff stats further for a price using the ingredients that are sometimes dropped from the box cat shrines that open up at the final clearing of each gated arena.
Needless to say there's a lot of replay value in Yasha: Legends of the Demon Blade. Though most of your time will be spent grinding to a point where you can fully complete each characters' story arch. It is a task in tedium, but rewarding if you have the skills necessary to take less damage and dish more out. Things like parries, and Artes (an extension of parries) can be utilized for big damage opportunities. That and weapon based mechanics specific to each Demon Blade will benefit you as you progress. Keep in mind some Demon Blades are more situational, or do better damage to specific types of enemies so switching between them is sometimes needed. You can also strengthen these Demon Blades up to three times each at the blacksmith. Making them much more deadly than their initially created forms.
The Presentation ...
Yasha: Legends of the Demon Blade is, in essence, an isometric action RPG with roguelike mechanics. It is shown in a partially top-down view with 3D models making up the cast of colorful characters and set pieces. The art style is cel-shaded with a hint of watercolor aesthetics as well. It has an overall cartoonish appearance in the vein of games like The Legend of Zelda: WindWaker. Visually it is a pleasing spectacle highlighted by a modern take on a samurai period soundtrack that enhances the gameplay experience.
The Verdict ...
Yasha: Legends of the Demon Blade is a proper action RPG roguelike through and through. While it adheres closely to the fundamentals of the genre it's combat, and parrying system is unique unto it. The combat is fast and fluid, and the controls responsive. It is both satisfying and challenging to play and master. The fact that each character and each Demon Blade/weapon brings with it's own added mechanics makes the experience more deeply involved and customizable. Overall it nails the formula while achieving something that will set it apart from the competition. After having spent some quality time with it I can safely say this is a worthy buy, especially if you are into action RPG roguelikes and samurai period mythology.
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