Project Cloud Games, a domestic developer, is set to launch its new action RPG, The Relic: First Guardian (hereafter The Relic), on the 26th. Set in 'Arsilthus', a land ravaged by monstrous threats, The Relic is a dark fantasy open-world game. While its previous demos led some to mistake it for a Soulslike due to its high difficulty, the development team has firmly denied this, emphasising its unique action RPG identity.

Notably, The Relic has garnered significant attention as it's being helmed by CEO Park In-hyuk, who previously contributed to Hollywood films like Aquaman and Captain Marvel, as well as renowned game cinematic videos. This background promises a meticulously crafted dark fantasy world. The game also boasts a compelling narrative that reimagines Korean folklore with a dark sensibility, coupled with striking visual effects.

The main setting, 'Arsilthus', is a desolate land that has lost its former prosperity and met its end. The relics left behind here faintly whisper the desires, memories, fears, and love of the people who once lived there. Players are tasked with becoming the last hope for this world, gathering these fragments, and embarking on the crucial mission to guide the world back to prosperity.

Leveraging his experience from Hollywood film productions, the development team aims to portray this grim world in intricate detail. They're not just focusing on immersion through detailed direction, visual effects, and background music, but also weaving in familiar Korean folk tales like 'The Fairy and the Woodcutter', reinterpreted with a dark atmosphere.

The story progression is inspired by 'The Witcher' series. Players are free to explore the open world, engaging with NPCs to receive quests, explore, and battle enemies. With hidden stories and events scattered throughout the map, completing them all can easily surpass 30 hours of playtime within the first chapter alone, offering a vast amount of content.

The diverse equipment customisation is one of The Relic's most significant features. Players can choose from five weapon types – sword and shield, staff, dagger, greatsword – and then build their unique class through twelve dedicated skill trees.

Furthermore, 'Relics' add to the build diversity. These can be acquired through map exploration or by defeating enemies and offer over 70 varied effects, ranging from basic stat boosts like increased HP and reduced cooldowns to fundamentally altering skill mechanics. This allows for considerable build freedom, emphasising the enjoyment of creating your own efficient synergies by combining gear and runes.

The combat system is designed to deliver both free-flowing attacks and the tension of survival simultaneously. A notable aspect is that stamina is not consumed when attempting attacks. Stamina is solely used for blocking or evading, and skills can be activated on cooldown without resource cost, ensuring a smooth, uninterrupted combat flow. The game also doesn't skimp on satisfying 'game feel', featuring techniques like parrying attacks or chaining skills that immediately counter-attack after a swift evasion.

Additionally, enemies possess a special defence stat called 'Grit'. By exploiting enemy weaknesses and depleting this stat, enemies enter a vulnerable 'Break' state. During this state, they take increased damage and lose attack opportunities, allowing players to accumulate 'Break Points' to unleash powerful, game-changing special skills.

The in-game environment isn't just a backdrop; it actively influences combat. Fighting colossal enemies can lead to the destruction of surrounding trees or walls, which can then serve as cover for players. However, these same structures can also obstruct your view, requiring careful situational awareness.

Encountering enemies also offers diverse approaches. Beyond direct confrontation with patrolling foes, there are indirect solutions like using magic to topple nearby rocks. As players become more familiar with the controls and systems, creatively interacting with the environment to tactically overcome multiple enemies provides a rewarding experience.

Players will encounter over 70 formidable bosses as they adventure through Arsilthus. Each boss features unique gimmicks and strategies, such as luring them with explosive carts or triggering rockfalls to stun them, ensuring a fresh combat experience each time. Furthermore, each boss carries a tragic backstory – perhaps transformed into a monster by a curse or having slaughtered their own kin – making observing these narratives a fascinating part of the gameplay.