Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

New Legends places you in the sturdy boots of Sun Soo, a young noble determined to liberate the Soo Kingdom and all of China from the iron grip of the malevolent Xao Gon. Combat revolves around fluid melee combos and an arsenal of high-tech firearms, seamlessly blending traditional Chinese weapons with futuristic firepower. Each encounter challenges you to switch between swift sword strikes and precise gunplay, encouraging a dynamic playstyle that feels both satisfying and strategic.

(HEY YOU!! We hope you enjoy! We try not to run ads. So basically, this is a very expensive hobby running this site. Please consider joining us for updates, forums, and more. Network w/ us to make some cash or friends while retro gaming, and you can win some free retro games for posting. Okay, carry on 👍)

The melee system shines through its combo depth. Basic attacks chain into devastating finishers, allowing experimentation with length, speed, and stagger effects. As you progress, you unlock special moves that can break enemy defenses or send foes soaring across the battlefield, creating cinematic moments that reward timing and skill. Boss battles, in particular, test your mastery of these mechanics—learning attack patterns and countering at the right moment is crucial to survival.

Ranged combat is equally engaging. Your arsenal ranges from compact handguns for quick draws to bulky energy rifles that deliver massive bursts of damage. Ammunition management and weapon upgrades add another layer of choice, as you decide whether to enhance reload speed, improve accuracy, or boost critical damage. This balance keeps firefights tense yet fair, as you gauge when to close the distance and engage in brutal melee or stay back and pick off enemies from afar.

Exploration also factors into gameplay, with sprawling levels that encourage forward momentum while offering hidden alcoves and side paths. Whether scaling ramparts of an ancient fortress or weaving through neon-lit back alleys, every environment is designed to reward curiosity with loot chests, weapon blueprints, and lore tidbits. These optional discoveries add depth to the core loop, giving players plenty of reasons to revisit earlier zones with newly acquired skills or gear.

Graphics

Visually, New Legends is a testament to artistic fusion, merging the ornate beauty of ancient Chinese architecture with a gritty, high-tech overlay. Buddhist temples and wooden pagodas are complemented by pulsating holographic billboards and neon circuitry, creating a world that feels familiar yet refreshingly novel. Textures are rich and detailed, from the polished jade inlays on Sun Soo’s armor to the weathered stone walls of mountain strongholds.

Lighting plays a pivotal role in setting the game’s tone. Daytime missions bathe scenic landscapes—such as misty river valleys and blossoming cherry orchards—in warm, golden hues, invoking a sense of tranquility before conflict erupts. Nighttime sequences transform the same locales into dramatic, shadowy arenas where flickering lanterns cast long silhouettes against rain-slicked courtyards. Particle effects, especially during gunfire and combo finishers, pop spectacularly without ever feeling overbearing.

Enemy designs draw from both historical and sci-fi influences. Foot soldiers wear traditional lamellar armor outfitted with powered exoskeleton components, while Xao Gon’s personal guards sport sleek, full-body energy suits and menacing visors. This visual contrast reinforces the narrative of old versus new, underscoring the stakes of a kingdom at the crossroads of tradition and technological upheaval.

Performance-wise, the game runs smoothly on modern platforms, maintaining stable frame rates even in the most chaotic skirmishes. Occasional texture pop-ins can occur in densely populated scenes, but they rarely detract from the overall visual feast. With customizable graphics settings, players can prioritize resolution or frame rate to suit their hardware, ensuring the game looks and feels great across a range of systems.

Story

At its core, New Legends tells the tale of Sun Soo’s transformation from a sheltered noble into a symbol of hope for a fractured nation. The opening sequences introduce the Soo Kingdom in turmoil, with Xao Gon’s oppressive forces tightening their grip on wealthy provinces and rural villages alike. You’re quickly drawn into the emotional stakes as you witness the suffering of common folk, fueling your desire to overthrow the tyrant ruler.

The narrative unfolds through a mix of well-acted cutscenes and in-game dialogue, with memorable characters joining your cause. Allies range from rebellious farmers with hidden combat talents to rogue technomancers who help you modify weapons. Each character brings a unique perspective on the war effort, allowing the story to explore themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and the clash between heritage and progress. Branching dialogue options deepen immersion, giving you moments to choose between diplomatic appeals or rallying cries to inspire troops.

Xao Gon himself is a formidable antagonist, portrayed not just as a mad despot but as a cunning strategist who believes in his vision of a technologically unified China. His confrontations with Sun Soo carry weight, as each skirmish peels back layers of his complex motivations. Though occasional plot twists lean on familiar tropes, the heartfelt character arcs and epic set pieces—such as a daring siege atop the Great Wall—keep the storyline compelling from start to finish.

Side quests further enrich the narrative tapestry. These optional missions delve into regional folklore, local rivalries, and ancient prophecies, painting a fuller picture of the world beyond the main campaign. Completing them reveals hidden truths about Sun Soo’s lineage and foreshadows events that resonate powerfully in the climactic final act, making every detour feel both meaningful and rewarding.

Overall Experience

New Legends delivers a well-rounded adventure that masterfully balances fast-paced combat, stunning visuals, and a heartfelt narrative. The fusion of melee combos and firearms keeps gameplay fresh, while the diverse environments—rooted in real Chinese scenery—immerse you in a land brimming with history and conflict. From tranquil temple courtyards to high-tech fortresses, each location feels meticulously crafted and full of discovery.

While some players might find the story’s pacing uneven during mid-campaign segments, the strength of character relationships and high-stakes boss encounters more than compensate. The game’s optional content is robust, offering hours of exploration for completionists and those hungry for deeper lore. Replayability is further enhanced by New Game+ modes, which introduce tougher enemies and exclusive gear, rewarding veteran players with new challenges.

Technical polish is generally high, with only minor hiccups in texture streaming or occasional AI pathfinding quirks. Audio design is top-tier, pairing a sweeping orchestral score—infused with traditional Chinese instruments—with crisp sound effects that bring every sword clash and gunshot to life. Performance modes ensure that players on a range of hardware can enjoy the experience smoothly, whether they prioritize visuals or frame rate.

Overall, New Legends stands out as a compelling action game that honors its cultural inspirations while forging its own identity through innovative combat and rich storytelling. Fans of hack-and-slash mechanics, historical settings with a sci-fi twist, and character-driven epics will find plenty to love here. With its engaging gameplay loop and memorable world, New Legends is a worthy addition to any action-adventure enthusiast’s library.

Retro Replay Score

5.9/10