Info about The Relic: First Guardian:

Official game description:
Since its launch, Project Cloud Games have been working round the clock to improve the game, with the current focus fully on fixing technical issues and performance. We have already released two patches, but we are not stopping there. The next patch is due to be released later this evening. You have our time, dedication, determination, and word that we will continue to do everything in our power to be worthy of your support. 
Created by a small and passionate core team of a dozen people, Project Cloud Games has created a fresh new take on combat, with a heavy emphasis on balancing action and vulnerability, their unique, dark, and gritty spin on classic Korean stories has been in the making for six years.
Transformed into an apocalyptic wasteland by the destruction of the great relic, the once-prosperous realm of Arsilthus lies in ruins. Set in a dark and haunting atmosphere enriched by the tapestry of Korean folklore and ancient mythology,
it falls upon you to mend this shattered land and honour the memories of those who came before you.
Fast Paced Brutal Combat
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The Relic approaches combat differently - delivering freedom in attack, intensity in survival. Unleash an unstoppable onslaught with attacks that cost zero resources, allowing you to strike continuously with relentless creativity and consistency. Your stamina gauge is reserved strictly for high-stakes defence like dodging and blocking, while high-power magic operates on cooldowns and a dedicated meter. Attack without limits, defend with absolute precision.
Explore a Shattered, Semi-Open World
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Traverse a vast, interconnected realm filled with forgotten ruins, hidden dungeons, and atmospheric landscapes. The world of Arsilthus rewards curious Guardians who venture off the beaten path with ancient artifacts, secret encounters, and pieces of lost lore buried deep within its ruined regions.
Confront Up to 80 Tragic Bosses
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Step into battle against up to 80 mythic encounters - each a dark, standalone folktale brought to life, bound to a tragic lore that can only be laid to rest through ultimate victory. Adapt or perish: no two legends fight alike, and a strategy that slays one nightmare offers no guarantee of surviving the next.
Weapons Woven with Narrative
----------------------------
Command five distinct weapon masteries: Sword & Shield, Battle Staff, Daggers, Two-Handed Weapons, or the Longsword. Without a single duplicate weapon to be found - every single item is a bespoke, one-of-a-kind creation with its own tragic history. Discovering a new blade means uncovering a piece of the world's past, transforming your arsenal into a personal collection of living legends.
Master Ancient Weapon Skill Trees
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Forge a deeper bond with your chosen armoury through specialised skill trees powered by relic energy. Channel forgotten power into game-changing passives alongside awe-striking, visually spectacular ultimate abilities.
Unbound Build Freedom
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Forget traditional levelling - your power is forged entirely through the gear and Relics you discover. Collecting and equipping relics is as much about augmenting your character as it is about uncovering the world's past. With over 70 unique passive effects scattered that alter combat tempo and skill, the relic system encourages you to experiment endlessly. Freely swap game-changing passives, manipulate attack tempos, and tailor your build on the fly - giving you complete freedom to adapt.

Release date: Jul 30, 2026

Categories: Soulslike Combat, Action RPG, Semi-open World, Boss Rush, Character Progression, Weapon Customization, Stamina-based Combat, Korean Folklore

Feature scans:
- Proton/Linux: score 5; verdict: No Linux-specific issues reported; summary: The provided review does not mention Linux, Proton, SteamOS, Wine, or any Linux-specific compatibility issues. It only discusses generic graphics settings on a Windows system. Therefore, there is no evidence of Linux/Proton friction in the dataset.
- Steam Deck: score 50; verdict: Playable with adjustments; summary: The game shows mixed user experiences on Steam Deck. While stability is praised by one user, others report poor control responsiveness and the need for manual graphics adjustments. Overall, it is playable but requires tinkering with settings.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $20.00 - $30.00
  - Reasoning: Multiple reviews explicitly state that the current $50 price is unjustified and that the game would be fairly priced at or below $30. No evidence supports a price above $30, and the lower bound is inferred from the 'sub 30' sentiment and general dissatisfaction with the AAA price for low quality. A range of $20-$30 reflects the community's expectation of a significant discount from the base price.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: N/A
  - Story completion: N/A
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The reported playtimes (10 min, 45 min, 4h, 10h) are initial or total playtimes from individual reviewers. None indicate the time required for game completion, story completion, average session length, or post-story endgame hours. Hence all metrics are null.
- Time-to-fun: No data
- Player Archetypes:
  - Souls-like Enthusiasts (buy)
    - Motivation: To complete a challenging souls-like experience
    - Playstyle: Methodical, patient, learning from failure
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: souls-like appreciator; SOULS-GENRE fan
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Technical Critics (no buy)
    - Motivation: To enjoy a polished, bug-free game
    - Playstyle: Observant, comparitive, expects high technical standards
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: no buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: ps2 anime game
  - Disappointed Souls Veterans (no buy)
    - Motivation: To find a true souls-like experience true to genre expectations
    - Playstyle: Experienced, analytical, compares to genre standards
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: no buy
    - Labels: souls veteran
    - Reference games: Dark Souls


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Solid enjoyable experience (weight 0.66): The game is frequently described as a solid, enjoyable, and well-made experience that delivers on its promise. Players express satisfaction and a lack of regret, showing general approval.
- Runs smoothly overall (weight 0.5): Many reports highlight smooth performance and stable frame rates, often noting that the game runs well even without graphical settings. This indicates strong technical polish.
- Bosses challenging fun (weight 0.44): Bosses and enemies are seen as challenging but fair, encouraging repeated attempts. The boss variety and stories add depth, making encounters motivating and rewarding.
- Atmosphere and art praised (weight 0.36): The atmosphere, art direction, and enemy designs are regarded as compelling, with a unique style that evokes classic Souls-like games. Visual presentation consistently receives praise.
- Skills and upgrade system (weight 0.29): Skills and upgrades are powerful and customizable from a menu, preventing overleveling. Weapons have satisfying impact, and progression feels meaningful.
- Story lore engaging (weight 0.29): The story, lore, and quest narratives are engaging and show promise, with connections to Berserk. Writing is considered good, though the full story may reveal later.
- Controls fluid functional (weight 0.29): Controls are generally responsive, with fluid combat animations and no equipment weight. Sprinting has no stamina cost, making movement and combat comfortable.
- Stamina system balanced (weight 0.29): The stamina system is balanced to allow aggressive play without being punishing. Sprinting has no stamina cost, and enemies do not respawn after resting, which benefits exploration.
- Combat system praised (weight 0.28): The combat system is described as tactile, weighty, and responsive, with good feedback. Players find it satisfying and fluid, contributing to a positive gameplay experience.
- Graphics quality praised (weight 0.24): Graphics are well-received, with some calling them top-tier while noting a lack of graphical settings. Visual quality contributes to immersion.
- Patches show support (weight 0.2): The developers have released patches and are actively supporting the game, which players view as a positive sign. This responsiveness fosters confidence in long-term improvements.
- Parry system satisfying (weight 0.2): The parry system is highlighted as a key mechanic that adds satisfaction and tactical depth. A perfect guard ability allows for dynamic, fast-paced combat.
- Impressive indie game (weight 0.2): Given its development by a small team, the game is seen as an impressive indie title that exceeds expectations. Players note the project's heart and ambition.
- Souls-like design appeal (weight 0.14): Build variety and overall design are reminiscent of Dark Souls and Elden Ring, appealing to fans of those series. This similarity is seen as a strength.
- Exploration rewarding (weight 0.09): Exploration is noted as worthwhile, with areas that reward curiosity. The non-linear world encourages thorough searching.
- Soundtrack is good (weight 0.09): The soundtrack is mentioned as a positive aspect, enhancing the game's mood and combat intensity.
- Good value at price (weight 0.09): At a lower price point around $30, the game offers decent value. It is considered worthwhile relative to its cost.
- Russian language added (weight 0.08): Inclusion of Russian language support is appreciated by players, improving accessibility.
- Many checkpoints present (weight 0.08): The abundance of bonfires (checkpoints) reduces frustration and aids exploration. This design choice makes the game more accommodating.
- Voice narration average (weight 0.08): Voice narration is average, not standing out positively or negatively. It is adequate but not a highlight.

Common complaints:
- Graphics are extremely blurry (weight 0.76): Multiple reviews cite blurry, washed-out, PS3-era visuals with poor texture quality and a foggy appearance, often described as like a 20-year-old video or underwater.
- Price is too high (weight 0.63): Many players feel the $50 price is too high for the quality, labeling it a scam, insulting, or worth only $5-$30; some note it uses AI assets.
- No graphics settings available (weight 0.62): Users report minimal or no graphics settings, only options like DLSS on/off, no quality/performance presets, and no texture/shadow settings.
- Game is unpolished (weight 0.44): The game is severely undercooked, needs patching urgently, has bugs, long load times, artifacting, and feels like an Early Access release.
- Controls are unresponsive (weight 0.41): Controls are described as uncomfortable, unresponsive, sluggish, with key input swallowing and overall lack of responsiveness.
- Camera is problematic (weight 0.4): The camera is catastrophic, not smooth, has auto-zooming angles, stuck issues in boss arenas, and a weird FOV that causes problems.
- Combat is janky and slow (weight 0.36): Combat is described as mediocre, janky, slow, clunky, and not like a typical soulslike; some say it is literally nothing.
- Cannot rebind keys (weight 0.32): Key bindings cannot be changed, default layout is inconvenient (e.g., C/X instead of E/R), and controller buttons cannot be customized.
- Leveling and progression flawed (weight 0.3): Leveling is nearly impossible, resources scarce, posture system is unclear, and no riposte mechanic makes it harder.
- Optimization and loading issues (weight 0.27): Poor optimization due to console port, Alt+Tab causes crash, long loading times despite fast SSD, and poor presentation overall.
- Hitbox and parry need work (weight 0.24): Combat needs improvement: hitbox issues, parry recovery too long, attacks not registering on stairs, and recovery prevents blocking.
- Low enemy variety (weight 0.23): Enemy variety is low, bosses are repetitive with 2-3 moves, first boss only has 3 attacks, and objects are duplicated illogically.
- Map and travel problems (weight 0.23): Fast travel is limited, map gets stuck, no map design, and lock-on is a nuisance.
- World design lacks flow (weight 0.23): Levels look similar, world is not atmospheric, feels strung together, lacks flow, and has no map design.
- Animations cause discomfort (weight 0.23): Running/walking animation looks bad, causes seasickness or motion sickness, and does not match speed.
- Audio issues and jumpscares (weight 0.23): Boss shouts every attack, loud noise when respawning, loud sounds cause jumpscares, and sound is too loud at title screen.
- Enemy respawn issues (weight 0.2): Enemies do not respawn after bonfire, and mobs die too quickly (2-tapping), reducing challenge.
- Status effects are overpowered (weight 0.2): Status effects like curse do not show duration, are overpowered, and bosses cause many deaths due to curse damage.

Gameplay feedback:
- Parry mechanic present (weight 0.3): Several players mention a parry mechanic in combat, which is a core feature of Souls-like games. It adds a layer of skill-based defense.
- No enemy respawn (weight 0.26): Multiple reviewers highlight that enemies do not respawn after resting at bonfires. This changes the classic Souls-like loop and reduces grinding opportunities.
- Boss rush focus (weight 0.2): The game features boss arenas and is described as a boss rush with tough but fair bosses. This suggests a focus on challenging encounters.
- No graphics settings (weight 0.15): Users note the absence of graphics settings, likely limiting customization for performance or visual preference.
- Stamina for dodge only (weight 0.14): Stamina is used for dodging and running but not for attacks, and sprinting does not consume stamina. This allows aggressive play without exhaustion.
- Deadly patient combat (weight 0.14): Combat requires patience and timing, and every encounter is deadly. This aligns with a challenging, deliberate Souls-like experience.
- Horror blind side (weight 0.14): Darkness on the character's blind sides enhances horror and immersion, forcing players to be aware of their surroundings and find enemies.
- Curse status effects (weight 0.08): One user reports that status effects include curse, which accumulates quickly. This can be a frustrating mechanic if not properly telegraphed.
- Fishing and parry mix (weight 0.08): The game includes a fishing minigame in its path, while bosses are described as a parry game. This mix of gameplay styles is distinctive.
- Invisible posture system (weight 0.08): An invisible posture system exists, which may confuse players who cannot see their progress. This can make combat feel opaque.
- No death penalty (weight 0.08): There is no death penalty, but the death count increases. This rewards persistence without harsh punishment.
- Linear to open world (weight 0.08): The structure is initially linear, then opens up into open world exploration. This provides a guided start before freedom.
- Limited fast travel (weight 0.08): Fast travel is available early but with limitations. This improves convenience while encouraging exploration.
- Menu-based upgrades (weight 0.08): Items can be upgraded and skills learned directly from the menu. This streamlines progression without requiring a blacksmith NPC.
- Loud jumpscares (weight 0.08): The game features loud sound jumpscares, indicating an explicit horror element beyond atmospheric tension.
- No equipment weight (weight 0.08): There is no equipment weight, removing the burden of encumbrance management. Players can freely equip gear.
- Story via documents (weight 0.08): Documents provide story context, which is a common narrative delivery method in Souls-likes and horror games.
- TAB menu navigation (weight 0.08): The menu is navigated via TAB rather than Escape, which may be unintuitive for players used to standard controls.
- No mouse cursor (weight 0.08): There is no mouse cursor for keyboard and mouse players, which can make menu navigation cumbersome on PC.

Performance notes:
- Poor performance reported (weight 0.29): Multiple players report poor performance, describing the game as 'running like trash' with FPS drops to 30-40 and poor optimization for PC. This suggests optimization issues for many systems.
- Specific performance complaints (weight 0.23): Specific performance problems include map lag, dark scene optimization needs, some performance issues, and defaults to ultra performance upscaling. These point to inconsistent optimization across scenes and settings.
- Game runs well (weight 0.19): Some players report smooth performance, achieving 120 FPS with DLSS and settings tweaks, while others experience no framedrops or crashes. This indicates the game runs well for certain hardware configurations.
- Hardware-specific usability issues (weight 0.18): Hardware-specific issues include inability to handle 1440p resolution, long loading times despite fast NVMe SSDs, and Alt+Tab crashes. These indicate platform-dependent problems affecting usability.

Recommendations:
- Do not buy at all (weight 0.38): A vocal group of reviewers flatly tell others not to buy the game, calling it a waste of money even at deeply discounted prices like 10 euros. Some explicitly warn against buying in its current state.
- Mixed but mostly avoid (weight 0.3): A mix of sarcastic recommendations, warnings to avoid unless morbidly curious, flat denials, and one unqualified positive review. The overall sentiment is strongly negative, with one outlier recommending the game.
- Buy and refund (weight 0.26): Multiple reviewers advise requesting a refund or buying then immediately refunding the game. This indicates widespread buyer's remorse.
- Not worth full price (weight 0.23): Reviewers strongly advise against buying the game at the current $50 price point, suggesting a maximum value of $15. They recommend waiting for a significant sale before purchasing.
- Avoid at full price (weight 0.2): Multiple reviewers advise against buying at full price and recommend waiting for a sale or patches. They emphasize significant issues must be fixed first.
- Test before buying (weight 0.18): Some recommend trying the game briefly via Steam refund, or watching streams and videos to form an opinion before buying. They acknowledge potential but urge caution.
- Recommended for souls fans (weight 0.14): Some reviewers see a narrow appeal for fans of the Souls-like genre, who may enjoy the challenging gameplay. This is a rare positive signal among otherwise negative clusters.
- Price should be under $30 (weight 0.14): The game should be priced at $30 or less, or only acceptable as a student project at $20. This reinforces the value perception is very low.
- Wait for deep sale (weight 0.14): Reviewers suggest waiting at least a month or a year for a deep discount before buying. This implies the game is not worth its current price or state.
- Buy only if fixed (weight 0.14): Some reviewers say the game is only worth buying if the developers fix the issues, indicating it is not ready. They suggest waiting for patches.
- Game has potential (weight 0.13): A few reviewers see potential in the game and recommend watching streams or waiting for patches before deciding. They remain cautious but hopeful.
- Patches may help (weight 0.11): Some reviewers defend waiting for patches as understandable or recommend the game in early stages, showing a minority see potential despite issues.
- Last resort only (weight 0.08): One reviewer recommends buying only if there are no other games to play, suggesting the game is a last resort. This reflects very low enthusiasm.
- For casual ARPG players (weight 0.08): The game may appeal to casual ARPG players who are not skilled at harder titles. This niche recommendation suggests limited accessibility.
- For lenient players (weight 0.07): The game is recommended only for players who do not need perfection, suggesting it is flawed but passable. This is a lukewarm endorsement.
- Buy at own risk (weight 0.07): One reviewer advises buying at your own risk, implying potential for regret. This cautionary note reflects uncertain quality.
- Tolerate poor graphics (weight 0.07): The game's graphics are washed out, and only tolerable in that light. This technical criticism suggests poor visual quality.

Other player notes:
No miscpoints

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.22): Players are frustrated by technical issues such as poor performance, unchangeable key bindings, camera problems, and bugs like key input swallowing. Combat mechanics feel unresponsive with hit registration issues, and the curse status effect is considered overpowered. The lack of graphics settings and overall poor optimization, especially on console, compound these problems.
- Disappointment (weight 0.18): Players are disappointed because the game's graphics and performance fall short of advertised trailers and screenshots, feeling outdated by 20 years. Combat, hitboxes, and parry systems need improvement, and the use of AI for dialogue makes the script lifeless and unimmersive. The overall quality does not justify the price point, and the world lacks atmosphere.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.07): Some players are satisfied with the game's stable performance, noting no crashes or framedrops after 10 hours of play. They enjoy the fast combat, smooth animations, and challenging but doable bosses, as well as the Berserk-inspired atmosphere. The combat system and parry mechanics feel good, leading to recommendations.
- Anger (weight 0.06): Players express anger over the game's poor performance, requiring ultra upscaling for low FPS, and the high price of €50 which they consider a scam. They are upset about hidden microtransactions for items and the deceptive use of AI without disclosure. The lack of graphics settings and low-resolution output make the game feel like a low-quality student project.
- Hope (weight 0.06): Players hope that developers will release patches to fix technical issues such as performance, graphics options, and resolution problems. They believe the game has potential and trust that future updates will optimize it and address key problems.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.05): Players find enjoyment in the exploration as the world opens up, with controls and combat working well for fun boss fights. The game's atmosphere, armor and weapon design, and weighty, flashy combat contribute to an immersive experience. They see potential in the core gameplay.
- Excitement (weight 0.04): Players are excited about the game's promise and potential, finding it well-made and enjoyable so far. They anticipate diving deeper into the cranked-up atmosphere and immersive story, looking forward to a new soulslike experience.
- Disgust (weight 0.03): Players feel disgusted by the running animation causing seasickness and graphics that cause eye pain after 20 minutes. The absence of settings like HDR, along with gray haze, motion blur, and high sharpening, creates a blurry, uncomfortable visual experience. They view the game as AI slop sold at a AAA price.
- Annoyance (weight 0.02): Players are annoyed by the high $50 price tag, which they feel does not match the game's quality. They also experience frustration from getting stuck in areas, requiring exiting to the main menu to progress.
- Discomfort (weight 0.02): Players report physical discomfort from the character's aura and moss green colors, combined with uncomfortable controls and poor visibility. These visual and control issues create an unpleasant gaming experience.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.01): One player feels nostalgia because the graphics remind them of action RPGs from the 2010s, evoking fond memories of that era despite the technical shortcomings.
- Anticipation (weight 0.01): Players feel anticipation from initial excitement about the game, looking forward to exploring its world and mechanics based on early impressions.
- Reluctant acceptance (weight 0.01): A player expresses reluctant acceptance, acknowledging the game looks like a PS3-era title but could be decent if priced lower, implying they might tolerate its flaws at a reduced cost.
- Relief (weight 0.01): One player feels relief at not regretting their purchase despite negative reviews, suggesting the game met their personal expectations or offered some enjoyment.
- Optimism (weight 0.01): Players are optimistic because patches are expected to come and improve technical aspects like performance and graphics, raising hopes for a better game experience.
- Defensiveness (weight 0.01): A player feels defensive, believing that negative early reviews are misleading and do not reflect the actual game quality, possibly due to biases or different standards.
- Pleased (weight 0.01): A player is pleased with the combat, finding it fluid, and appreciates the stamina system that allows them to avoid being overwhelmed. This positive aspect contributes to their satisfaction.
- Gratitude (weight 0.01): A player expresses gratitude for the game including Russian language support, which enhances accessibility and enjoyment for Russian-speaking players.
- Admiration (weight 0.01): One player has admiration for the game's graphics, UI, and combat smoothness, noting these elements as excellent despite other criticisms from the community.
- Cautious optimism (weight 0.01): A player adopts cautious optimism by ignoring negative reviews and forming their own opinion, indicating a willingness to give the game a fair chance based on personal experience.}