Yasha: Legends of the Demon Blade blends Japanese folklore with roguelite structure and side-scrolling action, offering a visually rich but uneven adventure through a demon-infested Edo period. Developed by 7QUARK and Game Source Entertainment, the game wears its influences proudly, channeling both traditional mythology and modern genre staples into an experience that is vibrant and ambitious – though not always consistent in execution.
The core narrative revolves around three playable characters, each with their own background and playstyle: a ninja, an oni emissary, and a samurai who walks the line between human and demon. Their individual arcs bring variety to the storytelling, and although the writing isn’t especially deep, the visual presentation and stylistic cutscenes help carry the mood effectively. The game leans more into aesthetic storytelling than detailed world-building, but for a roguelite, this works surprisingly well and adds personality to repeated runs.
Combat is fast-paced and fluid, with combo-heavy systems that make chaining attacks satisfying. Each character has their own arsenal and moveset, which offers some replay value even if the enemies and stage layouts start to feel repetitive over time. The presence of special weapons and a large collection of soul orbs allows for different build paths, encouraging experimentation. However, some balance issues pop up – certain attacks and abilities clearly outperform others, which can make alternative approaches feel not all that interesting.
The game’s roguelite elements are serviceable but not especially deep. You’ll earn currency to upgrade weapons, unlock bonuses through the Neko Shrine, and discover hidden stages that offer higher difficulty and better loot. The risk/reward formula is familiar, but the actual progression loop can sometimes feel grindy, especially when chasing stronger builds or exploring every character’s route. The side activities, like cooking food for buffs, are charming at first but become a bit mechanical after a while.
One of Yasha’s standout elements is its artistic design. Backgrounds are lush with color, characters animate well, and the effects – especially when using skills – are very impressive. The visual style, while occasionally cluttered, contributes greatly to the game’s identity. Enemy variety is solid, if not exceptional, but the boss fights do a good job of breaking up the flow with tougher, more elaborate encounters.
On the technical front, performance is generally stable on PS5, though the game’s pacing suffers slightly during chaotic scenes where the screen fills with visual effects. Load times are short, and controls feel responsive. However, the input feedback lacks some of the impact seen in more polished action titles, occasionally making hits feel less weighty than they should when looking at the on-screen action.
Audio design is functional but unremarkable. The soundtrack blends traditional Japanese instruments with modern beats, giving it an interesting fusion vibe, but the tracks don’t stand out after extended play. Voice lines are minimal and mostly tied to combat grunts or occasional dialogue sequences, and while the atmosphere is well served by ambient sounds, the overall audio design doesn’t quite match the care put into the visuals.
Ultimately, Yasha: Legends of the Demon Blade is an enjoyable but uneven mix of stylish action and roguelite repetition. It offers fast, engaging combat, a great visual identity, and enough content to entertain fans of Japanese-themed action games. Yet it also carries limitations in its depth, balancing, and long-term variety. Those looking for a rich, methodical game may find it too shallow, but if you’re after a visually striking slash-fest with arcade sensibilities, Yasha delivers just enough to make the journey worthwhile – even if it doesn’t redefine the genre.
Score: 6.7/10
Press Play Media 