Whenever I find myself in the company of fellow journos, the inevitable question pops up: 'What is your favourite genre?' My answer is always a firm: 'Action RPGs. Specifically, ones developed in Korea.' Sure, they might lack the polished sheen of those multi-million pound international blockbusters, but there is an unmistakable, distinct Korean sensibility that keeps me coming back for more.

It is exactly that charm which has led me to dive deep into titles like Stellar Blade, Lies of P, and The First Berserker: Khazan. My current obsession? The Relic: First Guardian (hereinafter referred to as The Relic). Since its initial unveiling in 2020, the team has been drip-feeding us trailers since 2023, showcasing a dark fantasy aesthetic and flashy combat that immediately grabbed my attention. After a brief hiatus, the six-year development journey is finally nearing its end, with the official launch set for 31 July.

On the first of the month, I paid a visit to the developer, Project Cloud Games, to get a five-hour hands-on session. Let us be honest: considering the team only consists of nine people, The Relic naturally falls short in terms of technical polish when compared to the aforementioned heavyweights. Yet, I could not help but notice that it carves out a unique identity by reinterpreting Korean folklore through a dark fantasy lens, backed by a narrative that genuinely strikes a chord.

Looking at the game structure, The Relic faithfully adheres to the current trends of action RPGs, focusing on the dance of offense and defense. You have your parries, your dodges, and a stamina bar. Much like the 'bonfires' of the Souls series, reaching save points restores your health and potions. If you have spent any time with action RPGs, this will feel like a familiar dance.

However, to call The Relic a 'Soulslike' would be a stretch, primarily because the difficulty curve is far more forgiving. The window for a 'perfect parry' is generous, and you do not lose your currency upon death. Furthermore, aside from specific areas, enemies do not respawn when you interact with a save point, making the prospect of retrying boss fights or clearing fields much less of a headache.

There are five weapon types on offer: Sword & Shield, Longsword, Two-handed weapons, Dagger, and Battle Staff. In the demo, I toyed with the Sword & Shield, the Longsword, and the two-handed weapons. The Sword & Shield offers that reliable, balanced experience you would expect. The Longsword brings both the longest reach among melee options and some flashy moves, while the two-handed weapons—like the axe—trade speed for raw, wide-sweeping power. Each weapon class features its own unique skill tree, making it a fun experiment to find the playstyle that fits your hands.

One feature that warrants specific attention is the 'Relic'. These are gear items that provide passive effects, and you can equip up to eight at once. While some are simple stat boosters for health or critical hit rates, others offer unique perks, such as recovering health upon attacking enemies. I only scratched the surface in the early stages, but it is clear that these will allow for some potent build crafting later on.

While The Relic nails the action RPG formula, my first impression was not entirely smooth sailing. The opening cutscene awkwardly clipped out of frame, enemies I had supposedly finished off would occasionally scream from behind me, and some terrain elements were floating in mid-air—nothing game-breaking, but the technical hitches were hard to ignore. Of course, it is still a test version, but the technical polish leaves plenty of room for improvement.

And yet, the game was genuinely fun. I lost two hours to it without even noticing. Given the rough edges, I had to ask myself what kept me glued to the screen. The answer, I found, lies in the narrative.

In short, the story of The Relic feels 'closest to the player'. That might sound like vague marketing speak for a dark fantasy title, but it truly means that the game draws you in by using themes and motifs that are deeply familiar and relatable.

Looking at the quests in detail, there are plenty of human-centric tales: an elderly couple trying to save their son who transformed into a 'Brutal', a corrupt knight who lost their elderly mother to greed and fame, or a once-just warrior forced into banditry by poverty. You will also spot reinterpretations of classic Korean folktales like the 'Golden Axe, Silver Axe' or 'Kongjwi and Patjwi'.

One quest that left a lasting impression was the adaptation of 'The Fairy and the Woodcutter'. Traditionally, the woodcutter hides the fairy's wings to make them a spouse, and the fairy eventually returns to the heavens with their children. In The Relic, however, the fairy, stripped of their wings, is consumed by hatred, eventually transforming into a monster and meeting a gruesome end that leaves no one around them unscathed.

You encounter these stories as you explore new dungeons, villages, and regions. The omnibus structure ensures that no single story arc overstays its welcome, keeping fatigue at bay. This constant drip of curiosity—'What story will I stumble upon next?'—becomes the driving force that pushes you to explore the world more actively.

All in all, The Relic is a title that balances solid action RPG fundamentals with a compelling narrative weaponized by relatable themes. Between the parrying, the skill trees, and the variety of weapons, it delivers that 'hands-on' satisfaction, while the blend of fresh yet familiar storytelling keeps you hooked, creating a distinct identity.

My only real concern is whether the current lack of technical polish will act as a barrier to entry for new players. After all, to really show off the charm of its narrative, the game needs to keep players engaged, and technical hiccups are the quickest way to turn them away. With about a month left until launch, I truly hope the developers can tighten things up and let the unique strengths of The Relic shine through. Best of luck, team.