Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

X-Blades delivers a fast-paced, hack-and-slash experience that places you firmly in control of Ayumi, a fearless treasure hunter wielding dual “gunblades.” Combat flows fluidly between melee strikes and ranged gunfire, allowing you to chain combos on the fly. The targeting system locks onto multiple foes, and switching between close-quarters slashes and long-range bullets keeps encounters fresh. Each engagement feels dynamic, especially when you exploit enemy weaknesses—phantoms dissolve under fireball spells while armored foes buckle under physical assault.

The soul-based economy adds a layer of strategy to your progression. Fallen enemies drop souls, which you can spend on new attacks, buffs, and magical abilities. Deciding between upgrading your blade combos, purchasing fire-and-ice spells, or stocking up on ammunition for tougher battles becomes an engaging resource-management challenge. This system rewards exploration and careful combat: taking risks against elite monsters often yields the souls needed for your next growth spurt.

Puzzle elements and exploration are woven into the level design, encouraging you to scour ancient ruins for three scattered artifact fragments. Reuniting these pieces grants powerful upgrades—melee enhancements, pistol boosts, or devastating airstrikes—unlocking new combo permutations. Although some areas loop back on themselves, hidden chambers and secret paths keep the adventure feeling rewarding rather than repetitive.

Graphics

Visually, X-Blades shines with vibrant temple ruins, torchlit corridors, and lush jungle locales. Character models are detailed, and Ayumi’s fluid animations—whether she’s drawing her gunblades or unleashing a whirlwind slash—bring a sense of weight and elegance to each move. Particle effects for fireballs, ice shards, and ethereal light add spectacle to battles, making every special attack feel impactful.

Enemies are varied and well-designed, from spectral phantoms with translucent, smoky forms to hulking stone golems that tremble under your assault. Boss encounters are particularly memorable, often accompanied by dramatic camera angles and unique arena hazards. While occasional texture pop-ins and minor clipping issues can break immersion, they seldom detract from the overall beauty of the environments.

Performance holds steady on most hardware configurations, with only sporadic frame dips during the most effect-heavy sequences. Environmental lighting casts realistic shadows across crumbling halls, and water reflections in underground pools are handled with surprising finesse. Overall, X-Blades offers a polished, action-oriented presentation that rivals bigger-budget titles in its genre.

Story

At the dawn of creation, two divine beings—The Light and The Dark—found themselves locked in an eternal struggle that threatened cosmic harmony. When neither could claim victory, they sealed themselves within two cursed artifacts to contain the other’s power. Centuries passed in tranquil balance until Ayumi, a brash treasure hunter driven by greed, uncovered the map to these hidden relics.

Ignoring the prophetic warnings, Ayumi ignites The Curse by touching the artifact, binding its dark power to her soul and condemning her to unending torment. Realizing the price of her avarice, she embarks on a redemptive quest: to reclaim the second artifact, re-imprison The Dark, and free herself from the curse’s grip. This shift from self-serving treasure hunter to reluctant hero gives Ayumi an intriguing character arc.

Cutscenes narrated by ethereal voices of The Light provide context and occasional humor, while in-game dialogue fleshes out Ayumi’s stubborn yet determined personality. Although certain lines veer into cliché (the lone hero defying ancient evils), the stakes feel personal, and the interplay between divine lore and human ambition adds depth to the adventure.

Overall Experience

X-Blades strikes a satisfying balance between visceral combat, character progression, and story-driven exploration. Combat encounters remain engaging from start to finish, thanks to the wealth of upgrade choices and enemy varieties. The blend of melee and magic ensures you’re never reliant on a single tactic, while the pursuit of artifact fragments fuels your drive to explore every nook and cranny.

Graphically, the game is both stylish and functional, with only minor technical hiccups undermining its impressive set pieces. The narrative, though familiar, is elevated by strong world-building and a compelling protagonist overcoming her own mistakes. Boss battles provide epic punctuations to the story, often demanding both reflexive skill and strategic upgrades.

For fans of action-adventure and hack-and-slash titles, X-Blades offers a spirited journey through mythical temples and monster-infested ruins. Its engaging combat, rewarding upgrade system, and mythic storyline make it a worthwhile addition to any collection—especially for players seeking a heroine who evolves from self-interest to self-sacrifice in the face of cosmic peril.

Retro Replay Score

5.5/10