Shuyan Saga
- September 22, 2023
- Lofty Sky Entertainment Inc.
- 4h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on Xbox Games StoreShuyan Saga is a motion comic adventure game that tells the story of a young princess on a mission to save her kingdom. Featuring a unique blend of martial arts combat and interactive narrative, players will engage in intuitive gameplay and stunning visuals to guide Shuyan through her journey. With a strong emphasis on storytelling and character development, Shuyan Saga offers an immersive and unforgettable experience for players.
Reviews
- Beautiful artwork and graphics that enhance the storytelling experience.
- Engaging story with good character development and voice acting, particularly from the lead character.
- Unique blend of visual novel and action elements, providing a fresh take on the genre.
- Clunky controls and gameplay mechanics that can detract from the overall experience.
- Short playtime, with many players feeling the game lacks sufficient content for its price.
- Repetitive combat and simplistic gameplay that may not satisfy those looking for depth.
- story68 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The story of the game is described as a visually appealing and engaging narrative, presented in a comic book style with strong voice acting, particularly from the lead character, Shuyan. While many players appreciate the character development and the blend of combat with storytelling, some find the plot to be somewhat derivative and wish for more depth and content. Overall, the game is seen as a compelling storytelling experience, though it may feel more like an interactive novel than a traditional game.
“A playable comic with excellent artwork and a good story.”
“The narrative portions of the game take the form of a slideshow of (I believe hand-drawn) comic book panels with a small amount of movement and animation to bring it to life without being over the top or distracting the viewer from the story, this is all accompanied by a full voice cast led by Kristin Kreuk in the title role.”
“All in all, if you like to be immersed in a well-told story with superb voice acting, which genuinely makes you care about the characters, and you like the comic style artwork, there is absolutely nothing here you won't love.”
“However, even if you are into that sort of thing, the story is dreadfully generic... I really wanted to like it because it seems like the devs spent a lot of time on it, but beautiful art and music cannot hold a game with a lackluster story and mediocre gameplay.”
“The plot is a little bit cliched and most importantly, the fightings are sort of repetitive and redundant.”
“Not recommended to anyone looking for more depth in either storytelling or fighting game mechanics.”
- gameplay28 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by simple mechanics that prioritize accessibility, making it easy for players to pick up and play. While the combat system incorporates unique elements inspired by kung fu, it lacks depth and can feel repetitive, with some controls described as erratic. Overall, the game balances visual storytelling with basic fighting mechanics, appealing more to those who appreciate its artistic presentation than to players seeking a robust gaming experience.
“The scope of the product was small (and this is the right decision for your first product), direct gameplay, easy to pick up and there's a save function by chapters, no bugs, no funny business of grinding/crappy quests/crazy puzzles, sudden difficulty spike in boss fights/late game - none of those nonsense.”
“With a plethora of combos to discover, skills to unlock, and perks to upgrade character stats, Shuyan Saga shows a fine balance between gameplay and storytelling.”
“The game mechanics are interesting for a graphic novel and I found it kind of fun. As mentioned by a developer, it also references styles of kung fu. You fight enemies using the mouse, which takes getting used to but is easy to learn with experimenting. You can do low and high hits and block, but also perform certain more powerful combos which will come in handy for harder enemies.”
“The game has fairly simple mechanics that don’t offer much depth, and the controls can be erratic at times.”
“Not recommended to anyone looking for more depth in either storytelling or fighting game mechanics.”
“As a game, it's hard to recommend for its short content and clumsy gameplay, but as an art, I do recommend it.”
- music27 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 26 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its beautiful orchestral composition and fitting ambiance that enhances the overall atmosphere. The soundtrack, often described as lovely and immersive, complements the game's stunning visuals and engaging voice acting, making it a standout feature despite some criticisms of the storyline and gameplay. Overall, the music is considered a significant strength, contributing positively to the player's experience.
“The soundtrack to Shuyan Saga is quite lovely; it is fully orchestral and has a definite Chinese ambience with the different tonal structure that is characteristic of Asian music.”
“There's nothing I can say that hasn't already been said for the soundtrack and voice overs; they are great and helped draw me more into the story while enjoying the art.”
“First impression of this game so far during Book 1 is that the comic style artwork in this game is gorgeous, and the soundtrack is also wonderful and really captures the theme of the game.”
“The music is somewhat repetitive, but still beautiful and adds to the atmosphere.”
“However, even if you are into that sort of thing, the story is dreadfully generic... I really wanted to like it because it seems like the devs spent a lot of time on it, but beautiful art and music cannot hold a game with a lackluster story and mediocre gameplay.”
“Overall I felt the game was worthwhile if not for the voice acting and music alone and would recommend giving it a try.”
- graphics25 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 32 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are widely praised for their stunning artwork and vibrant visuals, blending comic-style aesthetics with beautiful character design. While the 3D graphics during combat may feel somewhat dated and chunky, the overall artistic presentation is considered excellent and immersive, enhancing the storytelling experience. However, some reviewers noted that the voice acting does not match the high quality of the visuals, which may detract from the overall experience.
“Shuyan saga shows true love for Chinese culture and uses thousands, if not more, original artworks to make the game feel authentic and absolutely gorgeous to look at.”
“The artwork and soundtrack are first-rate and fit the mood of the game.”
“First impression of this game so far during Book 1 is that the comic style artwork in this game is gorgeous, the soundtrack is also wonderful and really captures the theme of the game.”
“The 3D graphics used during combat are a little chunky, and while they fit the cartoonish theme, they seem a little dated compared to the rest of the game and will likely not age well.”
“I recommend it only if you consider it as an 'audiobook with graphics' (same as its self-assessment: 'visual novel').”
“For only about 4 hours of playtime, the price seems a bit high, so I can recommend getting it during a sale, but honestly, the visuals alone are already worth it in my opinion.”
- character development4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
Character development is a standout aspect of the game, particularly highlighted through the growth of Shuyan from a playful princess to a mature young lady. The writing may be simple, but it effectively emphasizes the depth and progression of key characters like Jade, Dongmei, Jian, and Ganbaatar, contributing to an engaging narrative experience. Overall, the character design and development are praised for their heartfelt execution.
“The writing/story may be simple, but so much emphasis has been put into the character development, mainly Shuyan, Jade, Dongmei, Jian, and Ganbaatar.”
“The character development and progression are good as we see Shuyan develop from a playful princess to a mature and responsible young lady throughout the course of the game.”
“Nice story, beautiful and inspiring visuals, interesting game design, great music, amazing character design, made with a lot of heart.”
“The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the protagonists.”
“I was disappointed by how predictable the character arcs were; they didn't evolve in any meaningful way.”
“Despite the potential for rich storytelling, the characters remain one-dimensional and fail to grow throughout the game.”
- optimization3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The game's technical performance is solid, indicating effective optimization, though the voice acting, particularly by Kristin Kreuk, suffers from inconsistent direction that affects emotional delivery. Overall, while the main character Shuyan shines, the voice acting could benefit from better alignment with the narrative's emotional tone.
“Technical performance is solid, though I expect that was not much of a challenge for the developers.”
“The game is fully voice-acted, and despite the name of Kristin Kreuk as Shuyan, I wasn’t always impressed by her performance, likely due to some poor directing, where the tone she uses doesn’t quite fit the emotions of Shuyan at that point.”
“Technical performance is solid, though I expect that was not much of a challenge for the devs.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Reviewers appreciate the game's approach to grinding, noting that it avoids tedious mechanics and unnecessary quests, providing a direct and engaging gameplay experience. The absence of grinding and sudden difficulty spikes contributes to a smooth progression, making it accessible and enjoyable for players.
“The scope of the product was small (and this is the right decision for your first product), direct gameplay, easy to pick up and there's a save function by chapters, no bugs, no funny business of grinding, crappy quests, crazy puzzles, or sudden difficulty spikes in boss fights or late game - none of those nonsense.”
“It has some nuances so as not to be tedious, yet is simple enough to not become distracting.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is minimal, focusing instead on straightforward gameplay without unnecessary complications like grinding or frustrating puzzles. Players appreciate the directness and simplicity, which contributes to a more enjoyable experience without the distractions of typical gaming annoyances.
“The humor in this game is spot on, with clever writing and hilarious character interactions that kept me laughing throughout my playthrough.”
“I love how the game doesn't take itself too seriously, with witty dialogue and funny situations that make every moment enjoyable.”
“The comedic timing in the cutscenes is perfect, and the quirky characters add a delightful charm that makes the game a joy to play.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is described as charming, with the protagonist Shuyan adding to its appeal, leading some players to express a desire for a similar game featuring Korra.
“The atmosphere of the game feels really charming, and Shuyan is a nice protagonist who makes me wish for a Korra game made in this style.”
