Garshasp: Temple of the Dragon Review Summary

Fun despite flaws, with improved puzzles and good graphics, but poor camera angles, a very short length, and severe framerate and optimization issues.

Fun despite flaws: Many reviewers find the game fun despite its flaws, with some calling it a guilty pleasure or enjoyable for what it is. It is often described as fun and quite enjoyable, even if not perfect.

Puzzles improved from predecessor: Reviewers note that the puzzle element is slightly increased compared to the first game, with more puzzles and some interesting logic puzzles. The puzzles are appreciated for requiring thought and varying gameplay.

Good graphics and environments: Graphics are considered good for its time, with cool environments reminiscent of Ico and a consistent graphical style. The art and animation are also praised.

Controls and gamepad support: The game controls are generally okay or decent, with combos and tight controls. However, there are some issues with button prompts, and playing with a gamepad improves playability.

Fun combat praised: Many reviewers highlight combat as the best part of the game, calling it enjoyable and fun. The combat engine, combos, and sword moves are specifically mentioned as strengths.

Poor camera controls and angles: The camera system is widely panned for being unresponsive, poorly positioned, and lacking mouse-look. Many players report no ability to control the camera manually.

Extremely short game length: The game can be completed in under two hours, with some finishing in about an hour. This is far shorter than expected and even shorter than the first game.

Bugs, glitches, and crashes: Players encounter numerous bugs, glitches, and random crashes during gameplay. Some characters get stuck in objects, and overall stability is poor.

Terrible voice acting quality: Players widely report that the voice acting is awful and ruins immersion. Many note it sounds computer-generated or poorly synced with cutscenes.

Bad controls and sluggish combat: Controls are described as bad, mediocre, or horrendous. Combat feels clunky due to unresponsive movement and attack mechanics.

Action-Adventure Platforming Combat Mix: The game is repeatedly described as an action-adventure title blending platforming, combat, and puzzle elements. Some also mention on-rails sections and comparisons to God of War.

Garshasp Sequel Prequel Expansion: Clusters indicate this is a sequel or prequel-addon to Garshasp: The Monster Slayer, with a standalone DLC taking place before the original. It is part of the Garshasp franchise.

Hack-and-Slash Combat Style: Combat is described as hack-and-slash with rolling mechanics, similar to brawlers. The game is often labeled a third-person action brawler.

Simple Puzzles Noted: Puzzles are described as very simple or varying but simple, including spike floors and towers. They are present but lack complexity.

Play as Persian Warrior Garshasp: The player controls the mythological hero Garshasp, a Persian warrior. This character-driven perspective is a key aspect.

Severe framerate and optimization issues: Players consistently report very low framerates, severe FPS drops, and poor optimization regardless of settings or hardware. Examples include 15-25 fps, 21 fps on low-end graphics, and struggles for 60 fps on a beast PC.

PhysX installation and launch problems: The game does not start after installation without repairing the PhysX Legacy Patch, and some reviewers note it requires PhysX installed to launch. One reviewer reported no crashes after a fix.

Poor performance at low settings: Several reviewers note laggy performance even on low settings and performance drops under 30 FPS outside action sequences. This suggests optimization does not scale well with lower settings.

Trojan found in executable: A reviewer reports that executable files contain a Trojan. This is a serious security concern.

Long loading times: One reviewer mentions long loading times as an issue. This can contribute to overall poor user experience.

General negative recommendation: Many players cannot recommend the game and advise avoiding it entirely. The feedback consistently expresses strong dissatisfaction.

Purchase only at deep discount: A recurring theme is that the game is only worth buying at a very low price or during a deep sale. Several specify thresholds like under $1 or 0.10€.

Playable under specific conditions: Some suggest playing only if you get it for free, in a bundle, or if you are very bored, high, or drunk. Others mention performance depends on having a decent PC.

Mixed recommendation for fans: Recommendations are conditional, aimed at those who liked the first game or are strongly attached to the series. These players might enjoy it on sale but should not expect major improvements.

Positive experiences exist: A minority found the game totally worth it and recommend it, sometimes citing the story or creator's initiative. Some suggest checking it out if on a budget.

Community fair range: $1.00 - $3.00.

Game completion: 2.0h.

Story completion: 2.0h.

Session length: 1.0h.

Endgame: 0.7h.

Reviews report tedium, bad camera angles, and repetitive combat from the start, with only fleeting positive moments; no evidence shows a reliable point where the game becomes fun.

Friction: Bad camera angles with no camera control; Boring story and voice acting; Repetitive and occasionally frustrating experience; Tedious tasks; Invincible mechanic and spamming A to kill bosses becomes boring.

Deep-Sale Bundle Scavenger: Buys in bundles or waits for 90%+ discounts, samples the game for an hour or two, judges it instantly, and moves on without finishing or chasing completion. Motivation: Cheap, low-risk entertainment: picking up short action games only when they cost almost nothing in a bundle or a steep discount. Stance: deep sale.

Hack-and-Slash Genre Loyalist: Plays straight through the campaign in a few hours, focuses on combo strings and enemy encounters, and tolerates bugs, short length, and rough presentation as long as the action core works. Motivation: Getting more combo-driven action in a familiar mold and following this series the same way they followed its inspirations. Stance: buy.

Disappointed Sequel Critic: Rushes the campaign to completion in about a hundred minutes, then judges camera, voice acting, puzzles, story, and length against the predecessor. Motivation: Measuring whether the sequel lives up to the previous game and delivers polished, substantial content. Stance: no buy.

Steam Deck: The reviewed feedback shows a playable but friction-heavy experience on Steam Deck. The strongest issues are rigid controls and poor camera behavior, followed by missing PC-side resolution and control-remapping options and in-game bugs. Positive evidence is limited but notable: controller support is praised as a highlight, suggesting the game can be played with a gamepad. No evidence was found for Proton Experimental toggling, touchscreen launcher navigation, anti-cheat failures, unreadable UI, or launch failure, so the score remains in the tinkering/friction band rather than the broken band.

Extremely short game length: Many reviewers report the game can be completed in roughly 1.5 to 3 hours, with some finishing it in under 2 hours. This makes it far shorter than the previous game in the series and the original Garshasp.

Worse than previous Garshasp: Compared to the first Garshasp game, this one is considered worse, falling short in depth and length. Reviewers find it sloppier and less confident, noting that the predecessor was not that bad despite its flaws.

Unfavorable God of War comparisons: The game is repeatedly compared to God of War as a bad imitation or clone, often described as an awful version with all positive aspects removed. Reviewers question the point of copying an already exhausted franchise and call it a God of War for those who cannot afford it.

Low price and bundle availability: The game is often sold at a very low price, such as in a $1 bundle or at a discount of 3TL. Some reviewers note it costs around $5 USD, which is considered a farcical price for the quality.

Developed by Dead Mage: The game is developed by Dead Mage, a small Iranian studio, and published by Digital Dragon. It is noted as the second project from this studio and a cheap indie first effort.