The Relic First Guardian Preview Review Roundup
What hands-on writers praised, questioned, and flagged before July 31.
This hub summarizes preview and hands-on coverage of The Relic: First Guardian so you can set expectations before reviews score the 1.0 release. It is not a Metacritic clone and not an official score. We translate recurring themes into practical advice and link each theme to a wiki guide.
Sources informing this roundup include IGN’s boss-heavy soulslike preview, GameTyrant’s hands-on, Inven Global’s folklore-focused feature, GamingBolt’s developer interview, Final Weapon’s PC preview, and publisher deep-dives. Always read the originals when you need full context — links live on Official Links where available and on the publishers’ sites.
The consensus fantasy
Writers repeatedly highlight a dark fantasy world inspired by Asian folklore and Korean mythology, a tragic tone delivered through notes and Brutal backstories, and a combat system that refuses the usual “stamina on every swing” template. The pitch: aggressive offense, careful defense, Relic-driven identity, and dozens of story bosses.
Project Cloud Games’ debut ARPG drops you into Arsiltus, a cursed land where roughly eighty Brutals gate progress and seventy-plus Relics reshape how you fight. Five weapon families — Sword and Shield, Long Sword, Two-Handed, Dagger, and Battle Staff — each connect to skill trees that previews describe as deep but readable once you accept there are no traditional XP levels.
If that fantasy appeals to you, start with Getting Started and Combat and Parry.
What previews praise
Combat ambition — Defense-only stamina and cooldown skills create a faster exchange than many European-flavored soulslikes. Several writers say the duel judgment fantasy lands. Attacks do not drain stamina; blocking, dodging, and parrying do — so aggressive players can always press offense while defensive choices carry real cost.
Brutal variety — Named examples like Branko, Entom, and Mog are used to show that bosses teach different verbs (parry vs dodge vs patience). See our Brutals guide.
Unique gear storytelling — One-of-a-kind weapons and armor with inherited histories stand out versus loot carpet RPGs. Plan around that with the weapons tier list.
Checkpoint design — Tibelle’s Blessing sites function as rest points where you manage Relics and prepare for the next gauntlet. Previews praise the rhythm: explore, hit a wall, rest, adjust loadout, return smarter.
Emotional worldbuilding — Notes beside the dead, voiced letters, and regret spirits give exploration a human pulse described in the world guide.
What previews flag as risks
Rough edges — Hands-on pieces admit jank exists beside ambition. Expect launch patches; watch the updates hub.
Comparison gravity — Any soulslike will be measured against Dark Souls, Sekiro, and Elden Ring. This game’s best defense is its own rules — learn them instead of forcing old habits.
Semi-open scope — Players hoping for a colossal seamless sandbox may find the map tighter than expected. That can be a feature (denser stories) or a downside (less tourist wandering).
Specs uncertainty on PC — Steam listed detailed requirements as TBC pre-launch. Use the tools hub for prep without fake benchmarks.
Staggered console rollout — Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch 2 arrive later in summer 2026 without locked dates yet. PS5 physical copies follow September 4, 2026.
Practical takeaways for buyers
- Buy if you want story-rich boss hunting and experimental combat rules
- Wait for patches if you are allergic to day-one jank
- Wishlist now if you are on the fence — see release date and the countdown
- Do not wait for a “perfect BiS list” — unique loot means your drop is your build (Relics and builds)
- Pick a weapon family early and commit — respec costs may exist, but identity comes from what you find
Score-shaped summary (editorial, not numeric)
| Pillar | Preview temperature |
|---|---|
| Combat originality | Hot |
| Boss storytelling | Hot |
| World tone | Warm to hot |
| Technical polish | Mixed / watch launch |
| Progression clarity | Warm (once you accept no XP levels) |
How this wiki uses review intel
We convert praise into tutorials and risks into FAQs. If multiple outlets say parry windows define a boss, that becomes a section in Brutals. If they say Relics redefine builds, that becomes Relics tier list structure.
Related pages
Come back after launch when critical reviews drop — we will separate score chasing from system mastery, which is what actually helps you clear Arsiltus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the most common questions.
Is this an official review score?
No. This is an unofficial roundup of preview themes to help players prepare.
Is The Relic: First Guardian worth wishlist?
If you like soulslike bosses and experimental stamina rules, previews suggest a strong wishlist candidate. Confirm with the [release date](/updates/release-date/) page.
What do previews say about combat?
They highlight defense-only stamina, cooldown skills, and parry-driven Groggy windows — details in the [combat guide](/guides/combat-and-parry/).
Where should I go after reading this roundup?
Pick [Getting Started](/guides/getting-started/) or the [countdown tool](/tools/release-countdown/) depending on how close you are to launch.