Swords, spells, and a village worth saving
By Paul Hunter
Having anticipated Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree for months, I was eager to see what Bandai Namco had prepared for its latest preview event. The opportunity to play the first four hours of the final retail version provided a valuable window into how the game is coming together. Developed by Brownies Inc. and published by Bandai Namco, this isometric action roguelite stands out with a distinctive loop that shifts between intense dungeon combat and rewarding activities in a lively hub.
From my time with the preview, several elements became clear. Combat is structured around a two-character system that allows for tactical experimentation. Sword forging is a deep feature, and the downtime in the village is far more than just a breather between battles. The early sections alone showed an impressive level of variety, while still leaving me curious about what else might be waiting deeper in the full release.
There’s no denying that Towa carries an ambitious structure. The question is whether its interwoven systems can maintain momentum over the long run. Let’s find out!
The tale of Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree unfolds in Shinju Village, a place blessed yet under constant threat. Towa, the ageless child of the gods, gathers eight companions known as the Prayer Children to face Magatsu, a rising deity determined to cover the land in miasma. Each companion can wield sacred weapons and step outside the flow of time, allowing them to continue their duty even as ages pass.
The story begins with an attempted stand against Magatsu, only for Towa’s time-shifting powers to scatter the group across different futures. To push forward, the Prayer Children must recover mana by defeating Magatsu’s formidable subordinates. Their duty carries a heavy cost—after each victory, the Kagura must sacrifice themselves to restore the sacred balance. These sacrifices, accepted without hesitation, add emotional weight to every encounter.
Between journeys, Shinju Village offers relief from the tension. Conversations with villagers reward ore and small items, while light-hearted exchanges balance the story’s heavier themes. Fishing, trading, and helping locals all contribute to progression, but they also give the village a lived-in quality. This mix of heartfelt moments and humour grounds the narrative in a way that complements its more dramatic events.
What stood out most to me about the gameplay in Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree was how much your choices matter. Each run begins with a decision: who wields the Tsurugi and who supports as the Kagura. That simple setup gives every pairing its own flavour. One Guardian might unleash powerful charges, while another relies on fast stabs or long-reaching attacks.
I had the most fun swapping different duos and seeing how the playstyle shifted. At one point, I paired a Guardian who excelled at heavy swings with a Kagura loaded with speed-boosting spells, and suddenly fights moved at a completely different pace. These changes kept me from ever settling into a single routine.
Sword forging became a personal favourite. The process is hands-on, requiring you to shape, refine, and complete mini-games before ending up with your new weapon. My first attempt produced a blade that wasn’t flawless, but swinging it in battle still felt like an achievement. The satisfaction of carrying something I had built into combat made every strike land a little harder. Combined with the Guardians’ unique styles, the system gave me reasons to keep experimenting long after my first run.
Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree makes a strong impression through its presentation. The game strikes a balance between the calm atmosphere of Shinju Village and the intensity of dungeon battles. The village itself feels warm and lived-in, full of small details that made each visit worthwhile. Whether I was stopping by the forge or talking to villagers, the environment added personality to the downtime between runs.
Combat stands out in a different way, delivering clear and flashy animations. Guardians move with style, and each ability is accompanied by distinct visual flourishes that set them apart. Kagura spells burst with colour and energy, while sword strikes land with a sharp sense of impact. Even the sword forging process has a satisfying look to it, as materials and choices visibly shape the blade step by step.
The audio ties it all together. Battles are underscored by strong sound effects, while quieter moments in the village lean on softer tones and ambient noise. Together, the visuals and audio make progression feel more rewarding, turning each return to Shinju Village and each push into combat into a memorable experience.
The great news there's not much waiting for the full release. Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree launches for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC on September 19. A demo for the game is available today.
Developer: Brownies Inc.
Publisher: Bandai Namco
Genre: Action, Roguelike
Modes: Single-player
A key was provided by the publisher.
By Paul Hunter
Having anticipated Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree for months, I was eager to see what Bandai Namco had prepared for its latest preview event. The opportunity to play the first four hours of the final retail version provided a valuable window into how the game is coming together. Developed by Brownies Inc. and published by Bandai Namco, this isometric action roguelite stands out with a distinctive loop that shifts between intense dungeon combat and rewarding activities in a lively hub.
From my time with the preview, several elements became clear. Combat is structured around a two-character system that allows for tactical experimentation. Sword forging is a deep feature, and the downtime in the village is far more than just a breather between battles. The early sections alone showed an impressive level of variety, while still leaving me curious about what else might be waiting deeper in the full release.
There’s no denying that Towa carries an ambitious structure. The question is whether its interwoven systems can maintain momentum over the long run. Let’s find out!
The tale of Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree unfolds in Shinju Village, a place blessed yet under constant threat. Towa, the ageless child of the gods, gathers eight companions known as the Prayer Children to face Magatsu, a rising deity determined to cover the land in miasma. Each companion can wield sacred weapons and step outside the flow of time, allowing them to continue their duty even as ages pass.
The story begins with an attempted stand against Magatsu, only for Towa’s time-shifting powers to scatter the group across different futures. To push forward, the Prayer Children must recover mana by defeating Magatsu’s formidable subordinates. Their duty carries a heavy cost—after each victory, the Kagura must sacrifice themselves to restore the sacred balance. These sacrifices, accepted without hesitation, add emotional weight to every encounter.
Between journeys, Shinju Village offers relief from the tension. Conversations with villagers reward ore and small items, while light-hearted exchanges balance the story’s heavier themes. Fishing, trading, and helping locals all contribute to progression, but they also give the village a lived-in quality. This mix of heartfelt moments and humour grounds the narrative in a way that complements its more dramatic events.
What stood out most to me about the gameplay in Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree was how much your choices matter. Each run begins with a decision: who wields the Tsurugi and who supports as the Kagura. That simple setup gives every pairing its own flavour. One Guardian might unleash powerful charges, while another relies on fast stabs or long-reaching attacks.
I had the most fun swapping different duos and seeing how the playstyle shifted. At one point, I paired a Guardian who excelled at heavy swings with a Kagura loaded with speed-boosting spells, and suddenly fights moved at a completely different pace. These changes kept me from ever settling into a single routine.
Sword forging became a personal favourite. The process is hands-on, requiring you to shape, refine, and complete mini-games before ending up with your new weapon. My first attempt produced a blade that wasn’t flawless, but swinging it in battle still felt like an achievement. The satisfaction of carrying something I had built into combat made every strike land a little harder. Combined with the Guardians’ unique styles, the system gave me reasons to keep experimenting long after my first run.
Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree makes a strong impression through its presentation. The game strikes a balance between the calm atmosphere of Shinju Village and the intensity of dungeon battles. The village itself feels warm and lived-in, full of small details that made each visit worthwhile. Whether I was stopping by the forge or talking to villagers, the environment added personality to the downtime between runs.
Combat stands out in a different way, delivering clear and flashy animations. Guardians move with style, and each ability is accompanied by distinct visual flourishes that set them apart. Kagura spells burst with colour and energy, while sword strikes land with a sharp sense of impact. Even the sword forging process has a satisfying look to it, as materials and choices visibly shape the blade step by step.
The audio ties it all together. Battles are underscored by strong sound effects, while quieter moments in the village lean on softer tones and ambient noise. Together, the visuals and audio make progression feel more rewarding, turning each return to Shinju Village and each push into combat into a memorable experience.
Final Thoughts
Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree impressed me by blending energetic dungeon runs with meaningful downtime in Shinju Village. Combat thrives on teamwork between Tsurugi and Kagura, with durability, cooldowns, and forging systems keeping battles fresh. Outside of combat, fishing, forging, and village upgrades all tied into real progression rather than distractions. The presentation balanced warmth and spectacle, making each moment feel rewarding. Most of all, freedom to experiment stood out, keeping me eager to dive back in and see how much further the game can go.The great news there's not much waiting for the full release. Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree launches for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC on September 19. A demo for the game is available today.
Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree details
Platform: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PCDeveloper: Brownies Inc.
Publisher: Bandai Namco
Genre: Action, Roguelike
Modes: Single-player
A key was provided by the publisher.