| Yasha Legends of the Demon Blade | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Release Date | Gameplay & Story | Pre-Order & DLC | Review |
Yasha: Legends of the Demon Blade is a roguelite set in a fantasy Edo era, where you battle through relentless foes to take down the sinister Nine-Tailed Fox. Read on to know what the demo did well, what it didn’t do well, and if it's worth wishlisting.
Yasha: Legends of the Demon Blade Story Plot
Set in the Edo period, Yasha: Legends of the Demon Blade is an epic journey through a world where humans and demons once lived in an uneasy but lasting peace. This delicate balance is shattered when the Nine-Tailed Fox, the sovereign of demons, rises to power and leads an onslaught against humanity.
As chaos sweeps the land, players assume the role of one of three central heroes—an Immortal Ninja, an Oni Emissary, or a Monstrous Samurai—each with their own unique storyline and distinct combat abilities. The heroes must face an array of powerful demons while uncovering the truth behind the demonic uprising, seeking a way to restore balance and peace to the world.
Yasha: Legends of the Demon Blade Gameplay
Gameplay Overview
Yasha: Legends of the Demon Blade is an action-adventure roguelite where you'll take on the roles of three distinct warriors—an Immortal Ninja, an Oni Emissary, and a Demon Samurai. The game blends action RPG mechanics with roguelite elements, offering fast-paced, combo-heavy combat as players wield an array of Demon Blades to vanquish their foes.
Master a variety of Demon Blades, battle hordes of enemies, and harness the power of Soul Orbs and Neko Shrine blessings to craft the perfect strategy against the forces of chaos. Beyond combat, you'll uncover opportunities to upgrade weapons, gather ingredients for gourmet recipes, and even indulge in a bowl of fantastical ramen for an extra strength boost.
Venture into lively Demon Festivals, where forging alliances can lead to valuable rewards, and challenge yourself with hidden high-difficulty stages designed to test your skills to the limit!
Yasha: Legends of the Demon Blade Review [Demo]: Hack, Slash, and Exorcise!
Multiple Replay Value from the Stories Alone
Roguelites thrive on replayability, offering players countless ways to approach combat through different builds and strategies. However, what makes this game stand out more is its use of three distinct protagonists, each with their own stories, motivations, and playstyles. Take Shigure, for instance—the immortal assassin driven by a relentless quest to avenge her fallen master. While her journey is steeped in tragedy, the game balances its tone with a cast of quirky, memorable characters.
Shigure herself is a passionate foodie, constantly indulging in meals between battles, while Sara embodies the mischievous energy of an oni brat. The interplay between these characters and their intersecting paths adds an exciting layer to the experience, making the full game’s narrative all the more intriguing.
Hardly Any Voice Acting
Despite the game’s marketing highlighting an impressive cast of voice actors for the three main playable characters, voice acting is surprisingly sparse—even in cutscenes. Outside of a handful of attack lines and brief dialogue moments, much of the game remains silent. While full voiceovers aren’t always necessary, adding voice acting to key cutscenes and pivotal moments would significantly enhance the emotional impact and storytelling experience.
Great Combat but Parry Can Use Some Tweaking
The combat in this game is one of its standout features, offering a fast-paced, visually striking experience that feels both fluid and engaging. Each of the three playable characters has a distinct fighting style, making every encounter feel fresh and dynamic.
For example, Shigure wields a single katana with precise, calculated strikes, while Sara dual-wields blades, emphasizing relentless speed and aggression. These differences not only shape the way battles unfold but also encourage players to adapt their strategies based on their chosen warrior.
Enemy variety is another highlight, with each encounter offering new challenges, especially when it comes to the boss fights. One particularly memorable battle involves a towering giant squid, where players must first take down its two regenerating tentacles before getting the chance to strike its core.
These fights are tough but never feel unfair—every challenge is well-designed, rewarding skill and strategy rather than relying on cheap difficulty spikes. With combat this engaging, I can’t wait to see what other thrilling encounters the full game has in store.
The game offers an impressive level of variety, allowing players to experiment with different playstyles and strategies. With a vast selection of weapons, hundreds of Soul Orb skills, and a range of powerful buffs, you can craft a combat approach that best suits your playstyle.
Beyond the intense battles, the game encourages exploration and resourcefulness. Players can hunt for rare ingredients to prepare top-tier enhancement dishes—like a bowl of dreamy ramen that grants an instant power boost. Additionally, benevolent yokai host lively festivals in hidden dimensions, offering valuable support and buffs to aid you on your journey.
For those seeking even greater challenges, numerous hidden levels await discovery, promising deeper rewards and even tougher battles. With so many layers of customization and exploration, every run feels fresh and rewarding.
One of the main issues I encountered in the game was the clunkiness of the parry mechanic. In theory, it’s a fantastic feature—allowing players to deflect enemy attacks and counter with a powerful strike that deals extra damage. However, in practice, the execution feels inconsistent.
There were several moments where I pressed the parry button, only for the input to either be delayed or fail to register entirely, resulting in unnecessary damage. It’s frustrating because when it works, it feels incredibly satisfying, but the inconsistency dampens the experience.
That said, this is something that could easily be refined in the full release, and I don’t see it as a dealbreaker. If you’re looking for a fast-paced roguelite with a compelling premise, the unique gimmick of three playable protagonists with branching storylines, and exhilarating combat, this is definitely a title worth keeping on your radar. I highly recommend adding it to your wishlist.
Game8 Reviews
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Yasha: Legends of the Demon Blade Product Information
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| Title | Yasha: Legends of the Demon Blade |
|---|---|
| Release Date | April 24, 2025 |
| Developer | 7QUARK |
| Publisher | 7QUARK, Game Source Entertainment |
| Supported Platforms | PC (Steam) PlayStation 5 PlayStation 4 Xbox Series X|S Nintendo Switch |
| Genre | RPG, Roguelite |
| Number of Players | 1 |
| ESRB Rating | RP |
| Official Website | Yasha Legends of the Demon Blade Website |
