Summary
The game constantly teases something grander than it can deliver. Whether it’s the promise of unique storylines for each of the three protagonists or the allure of a deep combat system with collectible weapons and layered progression, Yasha overpromises and underdelivers in almost every category. It’s the kind of experience where you finish the game, sit in silence, and wonder, “Was that it?”
To be honest, Yasha: Legends of the Demon Blade feels like a game that was rushed out the door long before it was ready. The foundation is there—beautiful visuals, a culturally rich setting, and a cool premise. But the lack of polish, shallow mechanics, and absurdly short playtime make it hard to recommend to anyone but the most diehard fans of Japanese mythology or side-scrolling action games.
Developer – 7Quark
Publisher – 7Quark, Game Source Entertainment
Platforms -PS4/5, Nintendo Switch , Xbox One , Xbox Series S|X,PC (Reviewed)
Review copy given by Publisher
Yasha: Legends of the Demon Blade had all the makings of a sleeper hit. When the teaser trailer dropped, it painted a vivid picture of an action-packed fantasy RPG drenched in rich Edo-period Japanese aesthetics. Hauntingly beautiful backdrops, snappy combo-based combat, and three distinct storylines promised a stylish, roguelite experience with plenty of depth and replayability. For fans of Japanese folklore and hack-and-slash combat, it seemed like a love letter. But the finished game? That’s a very different story—and not in a good way.
At its core, Yasha is a game that looks like a meal but ends up being an half-baked appetizer, that comes out as your paying the bill. Clocking in at roughly two hours—yes, you read that right—the entire game feels more like a flashy proof-of-concept than a full-fledged RPG. Even factoring in its three characters with supposedly unique story arcs, none of them have enough content to feel fully fleshed out. What’s there feels like a vertical slice stretched thin, with repeated environments, recycled enemies, and truncated plots that barely scratch the surface of the game’s own lore.
The story sets the stage for something far grander than the game delivers. In theory, Yasha takes place in a world where demons and humans once coexisted in fragile peace until the rise of the Nine-tailed Fox throws everything into chaos. You’re tasked with pushing back the demonic tide, uncovering secrets, and restoring order. It sounds epic, and the game hints at intriguing bits of mythology and backstory. But everything is handled at such breakneck speed, and with so little narrative depth, that it never has time to breathe. One moment you’re meeting a festival-loving demon in an alternate dimension, the next you’re clumsily smacking through another dull mob before being told it’s time to confront the final boss.
Combat is supposed to be a highlight—and visually, it can be. Yasha features some undeniably stylish animations. Slicing through demons with flashy blade trails and supernatural effects is satisfying to look at. But the moment you actually start interacting with the mechanics, it all starts falling apart. The block-parry system is an unresponsive mess. There’s a frustrating delay between pressing the button and seeing any defensive action, making precise timing feel like a gamble. You’ll find yourself eating hits you absolutely should’ve deflected, and there’s no real consistency to how enemies telegraph their attacks.
Then there’s the upgrade system, which feels like a hollow afterthought. The game touts “hundreds of Soul Orbs” and “blessings from the Neko Shrine,” but most of these upgrades amount to minor stat boosts or useless passive abilities you’ll forget exist. Aside from the revive perk—which is borderline essential because of how janky the combat can be—there’s practically nothing in the system worth pursuing. It’s a roguelite in name only. There’s no strategic weight behind your builds or real variety in how you progress through a run.
If that wasn’t enough, the game is riddled with bugs and technical issues. Characters get stuck in scenery, enemies freeze in place or teleport erratically, hitboxes are inconsistent, and several players have reported hard crashes—especially in later levels or hidden stages. Even the pause menu sometimes refuses to work correctly. For a game that lasts barely two hours, it’s remarkable how many things can go wrong in such a short span of time.
And yet, for all its many flaws, Yasha isn’t a complete write-off. Its commitment to Japanese cultural references and mythological elements is genuinely charming. From the art direction to the character designs, the world feels like it belongs in a handcrafted folklore tale. The inclusion of dreamlike demon festivals and spiritual shrines adds a certain warmth and character you rarely see in fast-paced action games. The food system, while mechanically shallow, is a fun thematic addition—finding ingredients and crafting magical ramen gives the world a bit of quirky flavor.
The animation style is another standout. Yasha sports a painterly aesthetic with bold colors, ink-brush textures, and exaggerated effects that evoke traditional Japanese art with a modern anime flair. At times, the game looks like a moving ukiyo-e painting, especially during cutscenes or special moves. It’s just unfortunate that the substance can’t match the style.
Hidden stages promise an extra layer of challenge, but they’re marred by the same issues as the main game—glitches, lack of polish, and underwhelming rewards. Instead of offering meaningful replayability, they feel like filler content meant to pad out an already thin runtime.
The game constantly teases something grander than it can deliver. Whether it’s the promise of unique storylines for each of the three protagonists or the allure of a deep combat system with collectible weapons and layered progression, Yasha overpromises and underdelivers in almost every category. It’s the kind of experience where you finish the game, sit in silence, and wonder, “Was that it?”
To be honest, Yasha: Legends of the Demon Blade feels like a game that was rushed out the door long before it was ready. The foundation is there—beautiful visuals, a culturally rich setting, and a cool premise. But the lack of polish, shallow mechanics, and absurdly short playtime make it hard to recommend to anyone but the most diehard fans of Japanese mythology or side-scrolling action games.
