Awaken: Astral Blade – PS5 Review

Awaken: Astral Blade – PS5 Review

Awaken: Astral Blade presents elegant, beautiful visuals in an action-packed, platforming combat experience with intense boss encounters that will tempt fans of the genre.

 

So, what is Awaken: Astral Blade about? The game begins with an introductory tutorial featuring Combat Bionic Tania, who embarks on a mission through the Darkmist Rainforest with nanomaterial arms and the “Enginery Sword.” At first, the game’s style reminded me of classic video games like Mega Man, Metroid, and even Castlevania. The tutorial, which covers basic actions like jumping, interacting, and attacking, is smooth and sets you up for the action ahead. Within minutes, the battle begins, and the fluidity of the attack chains and dodging mechanics really pulls you into the action.

 

Let’s take a look at what else Awaken: Astral Blade has to offer.

 

Pros:

  • Story
    • The story is interesting, though somewhat predictable. However, there are enough twists and bits of lore to keep you engaged and invested.

 

  • Boss Battles
    • Intense and Challenging bosses
    • Many bosses feature two distinct phases
    • There’s no need to grind for skills or equipment, which is a plus. Instead, you can focus on learning boss patterns to earn your victories.

 

  • Improving and Becoming Stronger
    • There are a variety of skills to upgrade, and adding new abilities changes the gameplay, allowing for different playstyles and keeping things fresh and enjoyable. 
    • The equipment system is also robust, enhancing your character’s abilities. 

 

  • Exploration
    • The map is easy to read and filled with collectibles that help you improve the main character.
    • The game displays area names and completion rates, making it easier for completionists to track their progress.
  • Non-Stop Action
    • The combat is fast-paced, with quick attacks and fluid dodges that make the action feel satisfying.
    • Moments where you need to quickly run and dodge add an extra layer of excitement, keeping you on your toes.

Cons:

 

  • Repetitive Pawns
    • While the boss battles are exciting, regular enemies (pawns) can feel repetitive. Once you master the controls and swordplay, pawns become relatively easy to defeat, lacking challenge.

 

  • Direction
    • New players unfamiliar with platforming games may get lost, as the game lacks sufficient guidance on where to go next. However, this may not be an issue for more seasoned explorers who enjoy discovering things on their own.

 

Overall, Awaken: Astral Blade is a fun and nostalgic experience that evokes memories of childhood classics. While the game has a few drawbacks, the pros far outweigh them. The smooth combat, engaging boss battles, and sense of exploration make it a standout action-platformer, and I look forward to continuing my adventure in Astral Blade.

 

7/10

Review by Chris Salas