Another PlayStation China Hero Project hit
By Paul Hunter
It's no secret that I've been following the PlayStation China Hero Project games closely, as I've really enjoyed the creative output including Evotinction, AI Limit, F.I.S.T. and more. The next China Hero Project game, Awaken: Astral Blade, has arrived, an exciting new entry in the Metroidvania genre developed by Dark Pigeon Games and published by ESDigital Games. It's yet another exciting title from China that offers a thrilling unique blend of action, exploration, and sci-fi elements.
Let's dive in and take a closer look at what makes Awaken: Astral Blade a must-play title for fans of the Metroidvania genre and PlayStation fans in general.
I usually don't expect richly detailed stories in Metroidvania games, but Awaken: Astral Blade surprisingly presents a captivating narrative that draws you into a beautifully crafted world filled with intrigue and adventure.
The story revolves around Tania, a bionic heroine sent on a mission by her creator, Dr. Herveus, to investigate the mysterious Horace Islands rainforest where Karpas energy turns local animals and plants into aggressive mutants. Her team has gone silent, and it’s up to you to uncover the truth behind their disappearance. This premise sets the stage for an engaging journey filled with gorgeous cutscenes and collectible lore pieces galore just waiting for you to discover.
The game’s setting is one of its standout features. The forest is not just a backdrop; it is a character in its own right. It is filled with secrets, hidden paths, and environmental storytelling that invites you to explore. As you navigate through the lush landscapes and dark corners, you uncover clues about the forest’s past and the fate of Tania’s team. This sense of discovery keeps you engaged and eager to learn more. And don't worry, the rainforest contains a plethora of diverse biomes ranging from a dark crypt to a high-tech research facility to a centre village hub to even a mysterious airship.
As you guide Tania through the forest, you encounter a variety of helpful NPCs and evil villains that add layers to the superb narrative. The dialogue is well-written for the most part, but it is a bit unfortunate that occasionally the translations are a bit off, which can be distracting. The good news is it's easy to tell what characters meant to say, and the poor translations only happen a handful of times over this lengthy 12-plus hour adventure.
Astral Blade also excels in its thematic exploration. The narrative delves into concepts of identity, purpose, and the nature of humanity. Tania, as a robotic being, grapples with her own existence and the meaning of her mission. This philosophical layer adds depth to the story, getting you to reflect on what it means to be alive and the choices that define us.
The pacing of the story is well-balanced, with moments of tension and relief. You’ll face challenging bosses that test your skills, but there are also quieter moments that allow for character development and world-building. These contrasts create a dynamic narrative flow that kept me invested in Tania’s journey.
Turning our attention to Astral Blade's gameplay, it combines fast-paced action with deep exploration over an extremely well-designed map.
One of the most impressive aspects of the gameplay is the combat system. Tania initially starts out with a fast and destructive blade, and later acquires a deadly large scythe and throwing stars that allow you to attack enemies from a distance. You can execute combos and special attacks with all three weapons, which encourages experimentation, as you can discover different ways to defeat enemies. You can also upgrade Tania’s weapons, like adding a poison effect to her blade or unleashing a projectile attack with each scythe swing, adding further depth to the combo system. Likewise, you can also upgrade Tania's abilities, adding moves like a life-saving parry or passive upgrades such as +10% to her health.
The boss battles are another highlight of Astral Blade. These encounters are not only visually impressive but also require skill and strategy. Each boss has a distinct visual look with unique attack patterns, forcing you to adapt and think critically. The game also offers multiple difficulty settings, from a story-focused mode all the way to an ultra-challenging mode, so you can choose the level of challenge that suits you best. There are also a couple of accessibility features you can toggle on, including one that lets you entirely skip difficult platforming segments, and another that continuously boosts Tania's stats if you die in the same spot multiple times.
Exploration is a key element of the gameplay. The forest is absolutely stuffed with hidden paths, secret areas, and collectibles. I found the map to be very easy to navigate and you can place markers to indicate important areas, and there are also hard-to-find cats that can reveal map secrets if you collect enough of them. As you explore, you’ll uncover lore notes that shed light on the story and provide context for Tania’s mission. The environment is beautifully designed, with stunning 2D graphics that enhance the overall atmosphere.
The platforming mechanics are also intuitive and enjoyable. You can jump, dash, and climb, allowing for fluid movement through the environment. While the platforming segments are not overly complex, they complement the exploration aspect well. But there are specific platforming challenge sections that'll put your skills to the test and add an extra layer of excitement.
Awaken: Astral Blade features beautifully crafted 2D graphics that are among the best I've ever seen in a Metroidvania title and felt like a good mix of ANNO: Mutationem sci-fi meets Blasphemous nightmarish world. Each environment is meticulously designed, showcasing lush forests, dark caves, and futuristic landscapes. The attention to detail in the backgrounds creates a rich atmosphere that feels alive and immersive.
The character design is another standout aspect, particularly Tania with her striking appearance combining elements of anime and sci-fi aesthetics. The enemies you encounter also have unique designs, each reflecting their biomes within the game, whether that the teleporting female swordfighters, hulking organic beasts or robotic foot soldiers. I wish there were a few more enemy types overall, as the limited number does result in frequent repetition, but at least the designs were detailed and interesting.
The colour palette used in Awaken: Astral Blade is vibrant yet moody, perfectly complementing the game’s themes. The use of contrasting colours helps to highlight important elements in the environment, guiding you through the game. For instance, bright colours often indicate interactive objects or paths, while darker shades create a sense of foreboding in more dangerous areas. This thoughtful use of colour really adds to the game's visual appeal and tone.
As far as the music goes, it's atmospheric and complements the action on screen nicely. It shifts seamlessly between calm exploration themes and intense battle music, heightening the emotional impact of each moment. While the soundtrack may not feature standout tracks, it effectively sets the mood and keeps you immersed in the game world. I wish the same could be said for the voice acting, but I found it uneven with some dialogue spoken with passion, while other times it lacked depth and emotion. Despite some shortcomings, the overall presentation of Astral Blade remains impressive.
Final Score: 8/10 - Great
Developer: Dark Pigeon Games
Publisher: ESDigital Games
Genre: Metroidvania
Modes: Single-player
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10+)
A key was provided by the publisher.
By Paul Hunter
It's no secret that I've been following the PlayStation China Hero Project games closely, as I've really enjoyed the creative output including Evotinction, AI Limit, F.I.S.T. and more. The next China Hero Project game, Awaken: Astral Blade, has arrived, an exciting new entry in the Metroidvania genre developed by Dark Pigeon Games and published by ESDigital Games. It's yet another exciting title from China that offers a thrilling unique blend of action, exploration, and sci-fi elements.
Let's dive in and take a closer look at what makes Awaken: Astral Blade a must-play title for fans of the Metroidvania genre and PlayStation fans in general.
I usually don't expect richly detailed stories in Metroidvania games, but Awaken: Astral Blade surprisingly presents a captivating narrative that draws you into a beautifully crafted world filled with intrigue and adventure.
The story revolves around Tania, a bionic heroine sent on a mission by her creator, Dr. Herveus, to investigate the mysterious Horace Islands rainforest where Karpas energy turns local animals and plants into aggressive mutants. Her team has gone silent, and it’s up to you to uncover the truth behind their disappearance. This premise sets the stage for an engaging journey filled with gorgeous cutscenes and collectible lore pieces galore just waiting for you to discover.
The game’s setting is one of its standout features. The forest is not just a backdrop; it is a character in its own right. It is filled with secrets, hidden paths, and environmental storytelling that invites you to explore. As you navigate through the lush landscapes and dark corners, you uncover clues about the forest’s past and the fate of Tania’s team. This sense of discovery keeps you engaged and eager to learn more. And don't worry, the rainforest contains a plethora of diverse biomes ranging from a dark crypt to a high-tech research facility to a centre village hub to even a mysterious airship.
As you guide Tania through the forest, you encounter a variety of helpful NPCs and evil villains that add layers to the superb narrative. The dialogue is well-written for the most part, but it is a bit unfortunate that occasionally the translations are a bit off, which can be distracting. The good news is it's easy to tell what characters meant to say, and the poor translations only happen a handful of times over this lengthy 12-plus hour adventure.
Astral Blade also excels in its thematic exploration. The narrative delves into concepts of identity, purpose, and the nature of humanity. Tania, as a robotic being, grapples with her own existence and the meaning of her mission. This philosophical layer adds depth to the story, getting you to reflect on what it means to be alive and the choices that define us.
The pacing of the story is well-balanced, with moments of tension and relief. You’ll face challenging bosses that test your skills, but there are also quieter moments that allow for character development and world-building. These contrasts create a dynamic narrative flow that kept me invested in Tania’s journey.
Turning our attention to Astral Blade's gameplay, it combines fast-paced action with deep exploration over an extremely well-designed map.
One of the most impressive aspects of the gameplay is the combat system. Tania initially starts out with a fast and destructive blade, and later acquires a deadly large scythe and throwing stars that allow you to attack enemies from a distance. You can execute combos and special attacks with all three weapons, which encourages experimentation, as you can discover different ways to defeat enemies. You can also upgrade Tania’s weapons, like adding a poison effect to her blade or unleashing a projectile attack with each scythe swing, adding further depth to the combo system. Likewise, you can also upgrade Tania's abilities, adding moves like a life-saving parry or passive upgrades such as +10% to her health.
The boss battles are another highlight of Astral Blade. These encounters are not only visually impressive but also require skill and strategy. Each boss has a distinct visual look with unique attack patterns, forcing you to adapt and think critically. The game also offers multiple difficulty settings, from a story-focused mode all the way to an ultra-challenging mode, so you can choose the level of challenge that suits you best. There are also a couple of accessibility features you can toggle on, including one that lets you entirely skip difficult platforming segments, and another that continuously boosts Tania's stats if you die in the same spot multiple times.
Exploration is a key element of the gameplay. The forest is absolutely stuffed with hidden paths, secret areas, and collectibles. I found the map to be very easy to navigate and you can place markers to indicate important areas, and there are also hard-to-find cats that can reveal map secrets if you collect enough of them. As you explore, you’ll uncover lore notes that shed light on the story and provide context for Tania’s mission. The environment is beautifully designed, with stunning 2D graphics that enhance the overall atmosphere.
The platforming mechanics are also intuitive and enjoyable. You can jump, dash, and climb, allowing for fluid movement through the environment. While the platforming segments are not overly complex, they complement the exploration aspect well. But there are specific platforming challenge sections that'll put your skills to the test and add an extra layer of excitement.
Awaken: Astral Blade features beautifully crafted 2D graphics that are among the best I've ever seen in a Metroidvania title and felt like a good mix of ANNO: Mutationem sci-fi meets Blasphemous nightmarish world. Each environment is meticulously designed, showcasing lush forests, dark caves, and futuristic landscapes. The attention to detail in the backgrounds creates a rich atmosphere that feels alive and immersive.
The character design is another standout aspect, particularly Tania with her striking appearance combining elements of anime and sci-fi aesthetics. The enemies you encounter also have unique designs, each reflecting their biomes within the game, whether that the teleporting female swordfighters, hulking organic beasts or robotic foot soldiers. I wish there were a few more enemy types overall, as the limited number does result in frequent repetition, but at least the designs were detailed and interesting.
The colour palette used in Awaken: Astral Blade is vibrant yet moody, perfectly complementing the game’s themes. The use of contrasting colours helps to highlight important elements in the environment, guiding you through the game. For instance, bright colours often indicate interactive objects or paths, while darker shades create a sense of foreboding in more dangerous areas. This thoughtful use of colour really adds to the game's visual appeal and tone.
As far as the music goes, it's atmospheric and complements the action on screen nicely. It shifts seamlessly between calm exploration themes and intense battle music, heightening the emotional impact of each moment. While the soundtrack may not feature standout tracks, it effectively sets the mood and keeps you immersed in the game world. I wish the same could be said for the voice acting, but I found it uneven with some dialogue spoken with passion, while other times it lacked depth and emotion. Despite some shortcomings, the overall presentation of Astral Blade remains impressive.
The Verdict
Awaken: Astral Blade offers an excellent Metroidvania experience, blending action and exploration in a captivating sci-fi world. Its visual presentation is a significant strength with beautifully crafted 2D environments and top-notch character designs. The simple, yet effection combat system is another highlight, as is the well-designed map that is loaded with secrets and surprises to discover. If you're craving your next meaty Metroidvania adventure, Astral Blade is definitely worth exploring.Final Score: 8/10 - Great
Awaken: Astral Blade details
Platform: PS5, PS4, PCDeveloper: Dark Pigeon Games
Publisher: ESDigital Games
Genre: Metroidvania
Modes: Single-player
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10+)
A key was provided by the publisher.