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Friday, September 12, 2025

Arisen Force: LifeDevotee (PS5) | REVIEW | A Retro Inspired 'Journey to the West' Beat 'em up . . .

Arisen Force: Life Devotee was developed and published by Lemport, an indie studio focused on action-oriented titles. The game draws heavily from the classic Chinese tale Journey to the West, reimagining it as an epic adventure where players embody the iconic Monkey King, Sun Wukong, on a perilous quest to protect sacred scriptures. Accompanied by loyal companions, Wukong battles demons and mythical foes across fantastical realms, uncovering secrets tied to ancient lore and personal growth. At its core, it's about themes of redemption, camaraderie, and overcoming overwhelming odds in a world steeped in mythology.

In terms of features and content, the title packs a surprising amount into its compact structure, including over two dozen boss encounters, and many optional or hidden behind clever level secrets along with unlockable skills, weapons like a versatile katana, and collectible items that enhance combat variety. There's a main story campaign divided into chapters, plus bonus elements such as secret levels and challenging optional fights that encourage exploration. No multiplayer modes are present.

The Gameplay ...

Gameplay revolves around intense, stylish action RPG mechanics in a side-scrolling beat'em up format, where players navigate levels like unfolding scrolls, dispatching waves of enemies and tackling intricate boss battles with multiple phases and counter opportunities. Core systems include evasion dodges, charged strikes, precise blocking and parrying, punish moves for exploiting openings, just-timed actions for bonus effects, cancels to chain combos fluidly, and dramatic throws or executions. Sun Wukong serves as the primary playable character, wielding his staff with agile, acrobatic flair that emphasizes speed and combos, while companions like the monk Tripitaka provide support roles such as healing or area attacks, adding tactical layers to group encounters without direct control switching.

The Presentation ...

Visually, the game shines with its high-definition pixel art style, blending nostalgic retro vibes with modern polish. Think vibrant, detailed sprites for characters and environments that evoke mythical Chinese landscapes, from misty mountains to demonic lairs, all rendered in crisp, colorful detail. The soundtrack, composed by iispkboy, complements this with energetic orchestral tracks infused with traditional Eastern instruments, building tension during fights and evoking epic grandeur in exploration segments, though it's more functional than memorable.

The Verdict ...

Overall, Arisen Force: Life Devotee delivers impressive content for a free title, with a solid campaign length bolstered by hidden challenges that boost replay value through multiple runs to master combat or hunt secrets. Its quality stands out in the refined mechanics and positive community feedback, making it a polished gem despite minor rough edges like basic translations. That said, the steep difficulty curve and repetitive enemy patterns might not appeal to everyone, but the engaging systems hold up well.

This game is best suited for action RPG enthusiasts who enjoy tough, skill-based combat, fans of Journey to the West adaptations, or anyone seeking a bite-sized yet satisfying indie experience inspired by classics like Black Myth: Wukong.




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