The Relic: First Guardian is an action RPG adventure game set in a post-apocalyptic world, where players take on the role of the last guardian tasked with restoring prosperity to the ruined land of Arsiltus by collecting powerful Relics.
Gameplay
In The Relic: First Guardian, character progression revolves around gathering Relics, which are fragments imbued with emotions and wishes from the past. These Relics function as Runes, each offering one of over 70 unique passive effects that modify skill behavior, adjust combat pacing, and boost specific weapon styles. Players equip them strategically to customize their guardian's abilities.
The combat system emphasizes freedom in attacks while reserving stamina for defense and dodging. Skills work on cooldowns without resource costs, allowing players to adapt to their preferred rhythm. Equipment is unique, with each weapon and armor piece appearing only once in the game world, tied to a specific history or story, such as a knight's final blade or a family's ancient shield.
Weapons fall into five types, each themed around emotions, and connect to 12 exclusive skill trees. This setup lets players mix abilities to create a personalized class. Combat tests these choices against over 70 bosses, each with a tragic backstory, like humans turned monsters through starvation or curses.
Game Modes
The Relic: First Guardian focuses on a single-player experience, with no confirmed multiplayer options. It includes difficulty settings, as noted in pre-release discussions, allowing players to adjust challenge levels during the campaign.
Story and Setting
The game unfolds in Arsiltus, a land devastated by the destruction of a great relic, now filled with ruins and dormant dungeons. As the last guardian, players explore this world to find Relics, honoring the memories of the fallen and confronting bosses to uncover their tales.
Is It Worth Playing?
For those drawn to soulslike action RPGs with deep customization and narrative-driven combat, The Relic: First Guardian shows promise based on available demos. Pre-release footage highlights its unique Relic system and boss encounters, which could appeal to players who enjoy strategic build-crafting without traditional resource management.
However, with the game set for release on May 26, 2026, on platforms including PC and PS5, player reception remains limited to demo impressions. Some early feedback on forums criticizes the inclusion of difficulty settings, viewing it as detracting from the pure challenge. If you prefer unforgiving action RPGs, wait for full reviews; otherwise, it might suit those seeking a fresh take on the genre with emotional storytelling.
