Shuyan Saga

89%
Game Brain Score Based on 108 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
Shuyan Saga Game Cover
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Shuyan 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.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

89%
Audience ScoreBased on 108 reviews
story44 positive mentions
grinding4 negative mentions
  • Beautiful artwork and engaging story that immerses players in a unique kung fu narrative.
  • Great voice acting and music that enhance the overall experience.
  • Simple yet enjoyable combat mechanics that allow for a mix of action and storytelling.
  • Clunky controls and gameplay mechanics that can detract from the experience, especially in combat.
  • The game is relatively short, with many players feeling it lacks depth and content for the price.
  • Some players reported bugs and questionable logic in the storyline and world-building.
  • story136 mentions

    The story of "Shuyan Saga" is described as a visually stunning, comic-style narrative centered around a princess's quest to unlock her kung fu powers and save her kingdom, blending elements of traditional storytelling with interactive gameplay. While the artwork and voice acting receive high praise, many reviewers note that the plot is somewhat derivative and could benefit from additional depth and content, with a desire for more expansive storytelling or sequels. Overall, it is seen as a compelling experience for those who appreciate narrative-driven games, despite some criticisms regarding its brevity and simplicity.

    • “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 (especially from Kreuk, who knocks it out of the park in her first attempt at this style of work) which genuinely makes you care about the characters, and you like the comic style artwork, there is absolutely nothing here you won't love.”
    • “The game might feel a little bit high in price but I found it worth every euro thanks to an interesting story, good art, and great music.”
    • “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 fighting is sort of repetitive and redundant.”
    • “Not recommended to anyone looking for more depth in either storytelling or fighting game mechanics.”
  • gameplay56 mentions

    The gameplay of Shuyan Saga is characterized by simple mechanics that prioritize accessibility over depth, making it easy to pick up but lacking in complexity. While the fighting mechanics are straightforward and can be enjoyable, they often feel repetitive and clumsy, with some players noting erratic controls. Overall, the game blends visual novel elements with basic combat, 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, or sudden difficulty spikes in boss fights - 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.”
  • music54 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread praise for its beauty and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, with many reviewers highlighting the orchestral soundtrack and fitting voice acting. While some noted that the music can be somewhat repetitive, it is generally considered a standout feature that complements the game's visuals and story. Overall, the soundtrack is described as captivating and integral to the immersive experience of the game.

    • “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.”
    • “The music and voice acting are also top-notch.”
    • “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.”
  • graphics50 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning artwork and vibrant visuals, effectively capturing the comic style and cultural themes. While the 3D combat graphics may feel somewhat dated and chunky, the overall aesthetic, including character design and backgrounds, is considered beautiful and immersive. However, some reviewers noted that the voice acting does not match the high quality of the visuals, which slightly detracts from the 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').”
    • “Shuyan has a mix of graphics.”
  • character development8 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. While the overall story may be simple, significant emphasis is placed on the development of key characters like Jade, Dongmei, Jian, and Ganbaatar, contributing to a rich and engaging narrative experience.

    • “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 & progression is good as we see Shuyan develop from a playful princess to a mature and responsible young lady throughout the course of the game.”
    • “The character development is good.”
  • optimization6 mentions

    The game's technical performance is solid, indicating effective optimization, though it may not have posed a significant challenge for the developers. While the voice acting is fully realized, some performances, particularly that of Kristin Kreuk as Shuyan, suffer from directing choices that affect emotional delivery. Overall, the cast's performances are generally enjoyable, despite some inconsistencies.

    • “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.”
  • grinding4 mentions

    Reviewers appreciate the game's approach to grinding, noting that it avoids tedious mechanics and unnecessary quests, resulting in a streamlined experience. The gameplay is direct and accessible, with a well-implemented save function that enhances the overall enjoyment without the frustration of grinding or sudden difficulty spikes.

    • “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/late game - none of those nonsense.”
    • “It has some nuances so as not to be tedious, yet is simple enough to not become distracting.”
  • humor2 mentions

    The reviews do not specifically address humor, focusing instead on the game's straightforward gameplay and lack of frustrating elements. While humor is not highlighted, the absence of "funny business" suggests a serious tone that may appeal to players looking for a more direct experience. Overall, humor appears to be minimal or not a focal point in this product.

  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is described as charming, with players particularly appreciating the protagonist, Shuyan, which has led to a desire for similar games, such as one based on Korra.

    • “The atmosphere of the game feels really charming, and Shuyan is a nice protagonist who also makes me wish for a Korra game made in this style.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

4hMedian play time
4hAverage play time
4-4hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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