Xuan-Yuan Sword: Mists Beyond the Mountains
- July 25, 2023
- SOFTSTAR ENTERTAINMENT
Get on SteamIn "Xuan-Yuan Sword: Mists Beyond the Mountains," play as a Frankish knight, Septem, on a turn-based RPG journey for the Invincible Arts of War from Venice to Tang Empire's China. Experience a rich blend of Western and Eastern cultures as you navigate power disputes, ambitions of the dark lord Satan, and legends of the Xuan-Yuan Sword. This game brings together a symphony of diverse civilizations and timelines in one epic adventure.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features a rich and engaging story that blends elements of both Eastern and Western cultures, making it a unique experience.
- The graphics and music are praised for their quality, with beautiful hand-drawn art and a soundtrack that enhances the gameplay.
- The remastered version includes quality-of-life improvements that make it more accessible while retaining the charm of the original game.
- The English translation is often criticized for being poorly done, with awkward phrases and typos that can break immersion.
- Some gameplay mechanics, such as the difficulty balance and the ease of leveling up, have been noted as unsatisfactory, making the game feel too easy at times.
- Technical issues have been reported, including problems with cutscenes and compatibility on certain platforms, which can detract from the overall experience.
- story24 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The game's story is praised for its unique blend of Eastern and Western elements, featuring a young man's quest to obtain a secret method for winning wars, enriched by fantastical and mythological events. While the narrative is engaging with rich character development and intriguing twists, some players feel it drags in parts, particularly after reaching China, and certain questlines can be frustratingly missable. Overall, the story is considered the standout aspect of the game, despite some pacing issues and a few narrative inconsistencies.
“Story-wise, this has truly one of the craziest stories I have ever seen, in the best possible way.”
“The story, rich in twists and turns, involves fantastical and mythological events, with the main antagonist being Lord Satan himself.”
“The pre-rendered backgrounds and the character sprites make this game beautiful, together with an excellent soundtrack and a storyline that keeps you hooked till the end.”
“The story really drags once you arrive in China, and the final boss really punishes you for not completing missable questlines, which are poorly detailed, some of which require another playthrough once failed.”
“One problem I had with the story is that you find out the big bad super early in the game, and you really have to suspend your disbelief as to why the characters just let him roam around and do what he wants for the entire game.”
“Kojima said that we get used to graphics sooner than later, and despite its graphics never leaving me indifferent at all, the mechanics, such as collecting monsters and cooking, feel secondary to the story.”
- gameplay10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized as a traditional JRPG with unique mechanics such as spirit fusion, allowing players to capture and fuse enemies. While some players appreciate the ease of the gameplay compared to older versions, others find it lacking in challenge, particularly during random encounters, though the exploration and character interactions are engaging. Overall, the controls are smooth, and the game offers a satisfying experience despite its simpler mechanics.
“One of the mechanics unique to the series is the spirit fusion pot, which allows you to both capture enemies during combat (which you can then summon to help you) and to fuse not only items but also captured enemies too.”
“Also find it interesting talking to every character in the city player visits; each has something to say about the area, current situation, or gives quests and riddles. While it may lack challenging gameplay, it's interesting to explore areas, talk to people in the story world, capture different demons, and perform fusion. Using the controller is very smooth with no issues.”
“I felt really satisfied with the ending and it had some neat mechanics like the quizzes and monster-catching elements for abilities. The game looks great, even though it seems to be an old game revamped and translated for Steam, and is definitely worth the price.”
“However, I honestly preferred the vastly easier version of gameplay because I've already done the 100% completion on the older, much more difficult version.”
“However, the Chinese text becomes random characters, which is obviously unacceptable from an RPG gameplay standpoint.”
“Playing this game for the first time, I found the gameplay easy; only during boss fights does the player have to do something different, or they will get killed. Unlike random encounters, which are not challenging, old players or those expecting challenging encounters like in Persona or other games in the series will be disappointed.”
- music7 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to evoke nostalgia and enhance the gaming experience, with many noting its thematic adaptability to different environments. While some sound effects are considered average, the overall soundtrack is described as fantastic and integral to the game's beauty and storytelling.
“Just listening to the music brings back memories of my childhood.”
“As you traverse the in-game world, the music changes to fit the environment thematically.”
“The pre-rendered backgrounds and the character sprites make this game beautiful, together with an excellent soundtrack and a storyline that keeps you hooked till the end.”
“The music feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“While the sound effects are decent, the overall soundtrack is forgettable and doesn't enhance the gameplay experience.”
“The music doesn't match the intensity of the action, often leaving moments feeling flat and uninspired.”
- graphics5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
The game's visuals are praised for their quality, with many feeling that a remaster is unnecessary. While some players acknowledge that graphics can become less impactful over time, the art style, particularly the 2D aesthetic, continues to resonate well with fans. Overall, the graphics contribute positively to the gaming experience.
“The visuals of the game are great; there was no need for a remaster here.”
“Art and graphics still hold up if you are into the 2D look.”
“Kojima said that we get used to graphics sooner than later, and despite its graphics, it never left me indifferent at all.”
“Kojima said that we get used to graphics sooner than later, and despite its graphics never leaving me indifferent at all, the overall experience feels lacking.”
“Art and graphics still hold up if you are into the 2D look, but they feel outdated compared to modern standards.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate a mixed sentiment towards grinding in the game; some players appreciate the absence of grinding, finding it refreshing and allowing for a smoother experience, while others express frustration over the extensive grinding required for special rewards, suggesting it can lead to a significant time investment.
“We're talking hundreds if not thousands of hours of grinding for certain 'special rewards'.”
“All things considered, I didn't mind that the game wasn't hard, and I also appreciated that there was no need for grinding or farming to finish it.”
- character development1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is highly praised, with players appreciating the depth of the story and the engaging progression of characters. The combination of narrative and character growth, alongside features like monster crafting, contributes to a nostalgic and enjoyable experience.
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the game to be a deeply touching experience, noting its unique emotional impact compared to other titles they have played.
“It was a touching experience, and this game was nothing like I had played before.”
“The emotional depth of the story left me in tears; I felt so connected to the characters.”
“This game made me reflect on my own life and emotions in a way I never expected.”
