Relicbound marks an ambitious step for Pakistani developer BT Studios, bringing a third-person shooter that mixes cinematic action with pulpy adventure tropes. Played on PC, it follows archaeologist Jackson on a journey that pits him against the shadowy Eclipse organization in a race for a relic said to control time. It’s a familiar Indy-like setup, drawing clear inspiration from series like Uncharted and Tomb Raider as well, but Relicbound sets itself apart with its emphasis on environmental storytelling and a willingness to experiment with time-based mechanics later in the campaign.
The story itself is engaging enough to push you forward, especially if you enjoy globe-trotting treasure hunts full of ancient ruins, mercenary shootouts, and the occasional supernatural twist. While some of the writing can feel predictable, the pacing is generally solid, with cutscenes helping break up exploration and action beats. There’s a sense of earnestness here – a game that isn’t hiding its influences, but instead embracing them while trying to inject a few fresh ideas of its own.
Gameplay is built around a mix of shooting and traversal. Jackson is agile, able to swing across gaps, climb ledges, and pull off light parkour, which makes environments fun to navigate. However, the mechanics aren’t always as fluid as they could be; climbing and swinging sometimes feel clunky, which undercuts the otherwise cinematic flow the game aims for. Combat fares better, with a decent selection of weapons and enemy encounters that can escalate quickly. AI isn’t revolutionary, but it provides enough resistance to make firefights tense, and the relic’s time-bending powers add welcome variety to both puzzles and combat.
Controls are another area where results are mixed. Aiming and shooting feel responsive enough, but there’s occasional stiffness in movement and animations that can break immersion. This inconsistency doesn’t ruin the experience but reminds you that Relicbound isn’t operating on the same polish level as the biggest AAA action-adventure titles, and you should set your level of expectation accordingly.
Where Relicbound consistently impresses, being an indie title, is in its visuals. Powered by Unreal Engine 5, its use of dynamic weather and advanced lighting creates lush jungles, foreboding cave systems, and golden temple interiors that are strikingly atmospheric. While not every asset holds up to close scrutiny, the overall presentation is strong enough. Audio design is serviceable, with an orchestral score that swells at the right moments, though some sound effects and voice work are less convincing.
As a debut project from a relatively small studio, Relicbound shows both its promise and its rough edges. It delivers a solid adventure with exciting set pieces, an earnest story, and visuals that often surpass expectations. At the same time, uneven controls, clunky traversal mechanics, and occasional technical hiccups hold it back from greatness. Still, for players who crave a new entry in the cinematic action-adventure genre, Relicbound is worth a look – not least because it proves that fresh voices and new regions can bring their own perspective to a beloved formula.
Score: 6.7/10
Press Play Media 