AWAKEN – Astral Blade: A Dark Fairy Tale Adventure

“AWAKEN – Astral Blade” offers a thrilling 2D action RPG experience with a dark fairy-tale atmosphere. You play as Tania, a bionic girl tasked with uncovering her origins and fate. Together, you’ll explore ancient ruins, fight hordes of mutated enemies, and navigate through a world brimming with mystery. But is it any good? Let’s dive into the details.

Release Date: October 21, 2024
Developer: Dark Pigeon Games
Publisher: ESDigital Games
Genre: Action, Adventure, Indie, RPG

System Requirements:

Minimum	Recommended
OS: Windows 7	OS: Windows 10 64-bit
Processor: Dual Core @ 2.00GHz	Processor: Quad Core @ 2.50GHz
RAM: 4 GB	RAM: 8 GB
Graphics: 2GB VRAM	Graphics: 4GB VRAM
DirectX: Version 10	DirectX: Version 11
Storage: 2 GB	Storage: 2 GB

---

Storyline: A Dark and Twisted Journey

At the core of AWAKEN – Astral Blade is its dark and captivating story. The game starts with Tania, a bionic creation of Dr. Herveus, on a mission to rescue an investigation team lost in the rainforest. The forest isn’t just any jungle; it’s filled with terrifying mutants called “anathemorphs,” created by a strange energy known as Karpas.

As the plot progresses, Tania discovers the remains of an ancient civilization called the Eternity. This part of the game combines exploration with piecing together a complex puzzle about this forgotten culture. The further you get into the story, the darker things become. Is there any hope for Tania? Can she survive in this twisted place? These are questions the game asks you, the player, to help answer.

The narrative isn’t just linear. You’ll have the power to make crucial decisions that shape the game’s outcome. There are multiple endings depending on the choices you make. In other words, your decisions matter here. This means there’s replay value for those curious to see how different paths unfold.

Combat: Fast, Fluid, and Fierce

One of the biggest highlights of AWAKEN – Astral Blade is its dynamic combat system. If you love action-packed games, this one won’t disappoint. The combat is fast, fluid, and offers a lot of variety. It gives players a robust selection of combos, ranging from lightning-quick attacks to slower, more powerful ones.

Key Combat Features:

Feature	Description
Combos	Perform fast or slow attacks to create devastating combos. The variety is key.
Parry System	Time your blocks to parry enemy attacks and gain a significant advantage.
Fast Stand Up	Get back into the action quickly after being knocked down. Stay on your toes!
Dash Mechanic	Dash through enemies while slowing down time. This gives you damage immunity.

The parrying and dashing mechanics give the game a unique feel. Timing is critical. You need to learn enemy patterns, react quickly, and strike back when the opportunity presents itself. The sense of satisfaction from pulling off a successful parry or stringing together a killer combo is undeniable. Combat feels rewarding rather than repetitive, which is always a plus.

Exploration: Finding Mysteries and Clues

Exploring the Horace Islands is an integral part of the experience. The world is rich in lore and full of secrets. You’re not just running from one battle to another. Instead, you’ll find yourself scouring the island for clues about Tania’s past and the nature of the dangerous energy. This adds depth to the game, making exploration feel rewarding.

The developers made it clear that they didn’t want exploration to be a grind. The map is designed to save time, which is great for players who want to focus on the action without getting lost. Still, there’s enough in the world to encourage curiosity. You’ll want to keep an eye out for hidden areas, useful items, and lore bits that flesh out the story.

Customization: Build Your Perfect Fighter

Customization in AWAKEN – Astral Blade is all about making Tania your own. A key aspect is collecting Aether, a mysterious resource that can be used to upgrade Tania’s combat abilities and skills.

Customization Options:

Option	Benefit
Enhance Combat Abilities	Make Tania stronger and improve her effectiveness in combat.
Skill Development	Unlock new skills that are useful in different combat situations.
Weapon Upgrades	Strengthen your weapons for tougher battles ahead.
Item Trading	Trade Aether for useful items that aid your journey.

The freedom to tailor Tania to your playstyle is a significant draw. Prefer speed over strength? Go for fast attacks. Want to tank through enemies? Beef up her endurance. The choice is yours.

Difficulty: Accessible for All

AWAKEN – Astral Blade is accessible to both casual players and veterans. If you find yourself struggling in combat, the game lets you lower the difficulty. But it’s not just about making enemies easier to beat. You can also gain buffs that help level the playing field, giving newer players a more forgiving experience. This flexibility ensures that everyone can enjoy the game.

Tania: Your Humorous Guide

Throughout the game, Tania keeps things light. Even in the darkest situations, she has something funny to say. Her quirky sense of humor adds some levity to what could otherwise be an overly grim atmosphere. Tania’s upbeat personality contrasts the bleakness of the story, which makes for an interesting dynamic.

And yes, for those wondering, you can pet the cats scattered throughout the world. Sometimes it’s the little details that matter most, right?

Graphics and Art Style: A Feast for the Eyes

The art style in AWAKEN – Astral Blade stands out with its dark, 2D aesthetic. The world feels alive, with every corner of the map drenched in eerie atmosphere. The hand-drawn environments are detailed and beautifully rendered. The visual style complements the game’s story, providing an otherworldly backdrop for your adventures.

Character designs are also noteworthy, particularly the anathemorphs. These mutants are creatively grotesque, fitting right into the twisted world the developers have built.

Final Thoughts

AWAKEN – Astral Blade is an ambitious indie game that delivers on both combat and story. It offers an intense, fast-paced combat system paired with a dark narrative that keeps you engaged from start to finish. With customizable abilities, multiple endings, and a world full of secrets, the game has a lot to offer.

If you enjoy action RPGs with fluid combat, meaningful choices, and a touch of dark fairy-tale magic, then this is one you should definitely check out. Dark Pigeon Games has crafted a world worth exploring, with enough twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Pros:

• Fluid, satisfying combat system
• Rich story with multiple endings
• Customizable combat and skills
• Beautiful 2D visuals

Cons:

• Some combat sequences might feel repetitive over time
• The story might be too dark for some players

Overall, AWAKEN – Astral Blade shines in its genre and is a must-try for action RPG fans.