Bandai Namco Releases Action Roguelike 'Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree'
Brownies, supported by publisher Bandai Namco Entertainment, has officially launched their latest title, the action roguelike Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree. The game, which first captured attention during its announcement a few months ago at Summer Game Fest, is now available for players across multiple platforms.
In Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree, players step into the role of Towa, a priestess tasked with protecting a sacred tree from encroaching evil forces. She isn't alone in this endeavor, as she's accompanied by eight distinct guardians, each bringing unique abilities to the fight. Beyond the fast-paced combat typical of the roguelike genre, the developers have also included additional activities to engage players, such as crafting new items and developing Towa's home village.
Early Reception and Cooperative Mode Concerns
Since its release, the game has accumulated around 50 reviews on Steam, currently holding a "mostly positive" rating at 70%. While many players are enjoying their time with the game, a significant portion of the criticism points to various gameplay shortcomings, with the cooperative mode receiving particular scrutiny.
One Steam reviewer, Zardoment, offered a "thumbs down" rating, specifically highlighting the issues with co-op: "I'm sure the game is good in single-player, and if that's what you want, you can try it. It's kind of like Hades with JRPG elements. If you're looking for a new co-op game to play with a friend, forget it. The second player becomes an automatic turret with spell cooldowns and cannot interact with the game world, while only the host gets to slash enemies. There was absolutely no reason to add such a co-op mode, and I'm honestly disappointed." This feedback suggests that while the core single-player experience might resonate with fans of action roguelikes, the cooperative offering falls short of expectations, limiting the second player's agency and interaction.
Availability and What This Means for Players
Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree is now available on PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch. For those curious about the game but hesitant to purchase outright, a demo version is also available on all platforms, offering a chance to experience the gameplay firsthand.
For players primarily interested in a solo adventure with roguelike combat, crafting, and base development, Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree appears to offer a compelling experience, drawing comparisons to beloved titles like Hades. However, those hoping for a robust or engaging cooperative journey with a friend should manage their expectations, as the current implementation seems to be a significant drawback according to early player feedback. The demo provides an excellent opportunity to determine if the game's strengths outweigh its noted cooperative weaknesses for individual playstyles.
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