Xuan-Yuan: The Gate of Firmament – A Missed Opportunity in RPG Gaming
The Xuan-Yuan Sword series has always aimed to offer experiences based on the rich tapestry of Chinese history and mythology. Recently, a revamped version titled Xuan-Yuan: The Gate of Firmament has arrived on the PS5, presenting an opportunity for new players to dive into this expansive RPG. However, despite its ambitious roots, the game struggles to effectively relay its narrative.
The Storyline: A Journey Begins
Set against the backdrop of a small village that stands apart from the controlling reach of the Shang dynasty, we follow the protagonist, Sikong Yu. His life of guardianship—built around setting traps to protect his home—is upended when raiders target his village. During this chaos, he encounters Muyue, a woman shrouded in mystery and displayed magical prowess. As she seeks a lost home, Yu’s decision to accompany her on this journey introduces them to various characters who assist them along the way.
Presentation and Gameplay Mechanics
From the outset, Xuan-Yuan: The Gate of Firmament falters in visual execution. The introductory Full Motion Video (FMV) sequence shows promise, yet the in-game graphics considerably drop in quality. The character models aspire to photorealism but unfortunately veer into the realm of the uncanny with lifeless animations and awkward poses.
While some may dismiss the phrase “it looks like a PS2 game,” it is shockingly accurate in this instance. The game features low-poly models reminiscent of some of the less celebrated titles from that era, compounded by stilted animations and outdated cutscene transitions. Unfortunately, it does not leverage contemporary technology effectively, failing to meet even the baseline of visual quality and user engagement expected in modern gaming.
Sloppy Execution or Poor Choices?
A particularly glaring instance of this visual inconsistency features a scene where Yu receives a gift from his mother. Instead of showcasing a fluid transfer of the item, it appears awkwardly affixed to her arm before popping out of existence as Yu reaches for it. Such instances reveal a lack of attention to detail that transcends budget constraints; it blatantly points to careless execution.
Storytelling and Dialogue: A Disappointment
Transitioning to the narrative aspect, it’s difficult to ascertain whether the dialogue suffers from poor writing or inadequate translation. Regardless, it features some of the most exasperating interactions I have encountered in gaming. A repetitive cycle emerges as Yu repeatedly warns Muyue about the dangers of venturing into the woods, only for her to disregard his concerns time and time again without any narrative progression.
The dialogue redundancy continues to plague other scenes, including an exchange with party member Feng Yu. The repetitive nature of the conversations, reminiscent of outdated gaming tropes, adds a layer of frustration rather than charm.
In addition, the voice acting lacks dynamism, making it hard to invest emotionally in character interactions. The performances often feel flat; even contrasting descriptions of characters fail to translate into appropriate vocal performance, leaving a disconnection between the character’s intent and the portrayal.
Gameplay: Lacking Depth
On the gameplay front, Xuan-Yuan: The Gate of Firmament doesn’t fare much better. Exploration reveals bland environments that lack distinctiveness, feeling as though they were cobbled together from the most generic game assets available.
The real-time combat system offers only minimal engagement. With abilities linked to controller buttons and a cooldown mechanism, it initially appears to have potential. However, essential features—like effective defensive maneuvers—are absent, stifling any sense of strategy.
Players find themselves maneuvering within confined spaces without control over character positioning, making combat feel governed by randomness rather than tactical skill.
Moreover, the inability to use a block or dodge contributes to an uninspired gameplay experience. While players can switch between party members, the overall lack of control leads to unstrategic actions, exacerbating the challenges during combat.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, Xuan-Yuan Sword: The Gate of Firmament offers a joyless experience that fails to deliver on its potential. The combination of lackluster narrative, poor presentation, and half-hearted gameplay mechanics render its ambitions unfulfilled. Despite the promise inherent in its concept, the execution leaves much to be desired, making it hard to recommend.
Currently, Xuan-Yuan Sword: The Gate of Firmament is available for PC via Steam and PS5.
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