AWAKEN - Astral Blade

Look, I like metroidvanias but am also not very good at games, so I have a low standard when it comes to pretty stylised metroidvanias that I actually have an ability to play (unlike, say, Nine Sols). And as such I won't pretend I didn't have a whole lot of fun with this until the final boss (which I could not do). But christ this game is a mess. Nonexistent worldbuilding consistency, a serious lack of enemy variety and the whole thing just feels sloppy. It fills time but I'd still have to describe it as Afterimage's sloppier sister.

The game is great and fun, even though it's short. However, it has the right idea, design, and characters. Thanks to the producers and everyone who made it. We hope to see a similar or even better game in the future. Thanks again.

I've been playing it for about 5 hours and I find it very interesting. For a while I had performance issues but with some tweaks here and there (between resolution, nvidia panel, etc.) I solved it even if I have to settle for playing it at 30 fps and 1280X720 resolution. I'm playing on hardcore difficulty for now and I'm stuck on the first boss which has two phases (probably the third boss of the game I'm not sure), I still have to adapt to the counters and dodges, but the fights are quite dynamic and fun. It's a sci-fi metroidvania-style action game with a female protagonist. I really like the protagonist's design and she also has some unlockable costumes by playing, a couple with the Deluxe version. The environments are also beautiful. I can't express myself on the enemies since I'm still at the beginning. The platform is quite intuitive and the levels are well interconnected. There are some tricky points and I hope there is a way to unlock fast travel later because otherwise it will be a real pain to go back or to certain areas of the map, since it is very large. That said, it is a game that I can recommend for those who love platformers and metroidvania-style action and there is also a demo (which I have not tried). ______________________________________________________________________ ITALIAN: Lo sto giocando da 5 ore circa e lo trovo molto interessante. Per un po' ho avuto problemi di prestazioni ma con qualche ritocco qua e là (tra risoluzione, pannello di nvidia, ecc.) ho risolto anche se devo accontentarmi di giocarlo a 30 fps e 1280X720 di risoluzione. Sto giocando alla difficoltà hardcore per il momento e sono bloccato al primo boss che ha due fasi (probabilmente è il terzo boss del gioco non sono sicuro), devo ancora adeguarmi ai counter e dodge, ma i combattimenti sono abbastanza dinamici e divertenti. E' un gioco sci-fi metroidvania-style action con protagonista femminile. Mi piace molto il design della protagonista e ha anche alcuni costumi sbloccabili giocando, un paio con la versione Deluxe. Le ambientazioni sono altrettanto belle. Non mi posso esprimere sui nemici visto che io sono ancora all'inizio. Il platform è abbastanza intuitivo e i livelli sono interconnessi bene. Ci sono alcuni punti complicati e spero ci sia più avanti un modo per sbloccare il viaggio rapido perché altrimenti sarà davvero una seccatura tornare indietro o in certe zone della mappa, essendo questa molto ampia. Detto questo, è un gioco che posso consiglierei per chi adora i platform e metroidvania-style action e c'è anche una demo (che non ho provato).

I just beat the game for Ending A - clicking "Go Review" took me here instead of where I thought I was going, to clues to what I might have missed for other endings. Overall, 8/10 game - I would have liked more exploration and just "loose wandering" in my Metroidvania. Combat and movement does take a bit of getting used to, but it's not horrible. Overall: if you've played Afterimage and want more, this is a game you should look at.

Objectively this is a good game so I won't not recommend it ...to the right type of person. Subjectively I got bored and did not care for the game. The core of the game is "anime style hack and slash rack up the highest combo through memorized button combinations" type of combat. I'm not into that type of gameplay, especially in a MV, but if you are into that you will probably enjoy this game very much. Exploration mainly rewards orbs used to build your skill tree out, which mainly serves to boost your combos with buffs. So if you are not into the combat, the exploration doesn't feel very rewarding either. This one is probably a case of "right game for the right person".

A fun game, similar to AfterImage game. There are some jumping mechanics that are not easily expressed on how to do. So i had to watch a video on the combos i could do to finish some the jump puzzles. But in the end it was a great game. I had fun.

Pretty reasonable game with good combat, okay but confusing story. It's pretty reasonable length for a 2D of this genre. The main focus of the combat is on the combos which are intricate and vital to doing well against the later bosses. Overall, pretty good pickup if you like these kind of games.

Think of it like a darker Ori mixed with Dead Cells. That’s the vibe I get. The platforming is tight, the combat is challenging without being punishing, and the whole visual presentation is breathtaking. I especially loved how each area has a distinct look and tone — very immersive. Easily one of the most visually consistent indie games I’ve played.

Combat has a real weight to it — dodging, slashing, countering, it all just feels good. The enemy variety keeps you on your toes, and the difficulty is perfectly tuned. Visually? Just WOW. The backgrounds are beautifully layered, and the use of light and shadow gives it a cinematic feel. If you like games that look as good as they play, this one’s for you.

Albeit being an Afterimage clone trial, using shitty models and reusing enemies over and over, it wasn't a total waste of time, if you want a metroidvania to play after you've played everything out there, this is like having an afternoon snack, it's not fulfilling, but it aint that bad.

One thing I love about this game is how the combat gradually opens up. Early on it’s simple, but as you unlock new abilities and mechanics, it becomes complex in a good way. The boss fights are a standout — intense, creative, and fair once you learn their patterns. Add in the gorgeous environments and surreal atmosphere, and this is one of the best action indies I’ve touched all year.

AWAKEN - Astral Blade delivers on both aesthetics and gameplay. The animations are silky smooth, and the character design (especially the protagonist) is memorable and expressive. I love that you can customize skills and build your own combat style — it kept me experimenting for hours. Exploration is rewarding, and the lore has just the right amount of mystery. Great work!

Fast-paced action with perfect parry windows and slick dodges. Love it.

I didn’t expect this game to look this good — it’s like a hand-painted fever dream. The bosses are massive and beautifully grotesque, and the art style is consistent throughout. But it’s not just pretty — the controls are responsive, the combat feels fair, and it’s clear the devs balanced challenge and flow carefully. One of the better indie action-platformers I’ve played recently.

Wasn’t expecting to get this hooked. The parry system is really well done, and once you get the hang of chaining skills and dodges, it becomes addictive. The graphics are stunning, especially the lighting and particle effects — almost every area feels like a wallpaper. You can tell there’s a lot of care put into the world design too. A must-play for fans of Hollow Knight and Blasphemous.

A solid Metroidvania that nails combat and exploration. Definitely recommend.

Despite a simple story, the gameplay is compelling enough to make me forget all about it.

Combat’s buttery smooth and incredibly satisfying.

Gorgeous art direction. Feels like playing inside a dark fairy tale.

I like this genre of games alot, but this one just really didn't hit the mark for me.

Even if the plot doesn’t wow you, the polish in the mechanics will.

A very good and fun game.