In a world beyond our own, sentient robots called Diokek roam freely. This is the story of Astor: Blade of the Monolith, an action RPG where Astor, the Chosen One, embarks on a quest to free the Diokek from the grasp of the menacing Hiltsik. All wrapped up in a gorgeous style that’s an absolute treat for your eyes. But does the game live up to the how good it looks?
About Astor: Blade of the Monolith
Explore the vibrant planet of Gliese, once home to an ancient race and now the dwelling place of their sentient creations – the Diokek. After the ancients disappeared, the Diokek lived in peace until the malevolent Hiltsik started causing trouble. With the threat of a more sinister force at play, Astor, a young Diokek warrior, must travel across Gliese to unravel the mystery of his creators’ disappearance thousands of years ago, believing that they may have left behind the key to their salvation. Find your way towards the Monolith, an ancient structure holding immense power, and confront the source of the planet’s haunting evil.
The Gameplay
In Astor: Blade of the Monolith, gameplay is split between questing through a semi-open world and battling groups of monsters. The combat is reminiscent of recent Legend of Zelda titles. It feels a bit heavy and, at times, a bit sluggish, even when Astor is dealing damage, parrying blows, and executing Runic finishers. However, the game’s mechanics become smoother with playtime, and new features like a personal spider steed (yeah, you read that right, a spider steed) keep things fresh. Exploring every corner of the world is incentivised by skill requirements, making the overall experience cohesive and enjoyable.
The general gameplay features some cool mechanics along with diverse and engaging encounters with enemies. Astor faces a variety of foes, from lumbering trolls to agile shadow assassins, each requiring different strategies. The game’s progression system, tied to skill trees and weapon upgrades, encourages experimentation and specialization. As players explore the Monolith’s secrets, they uncover hidden abilities and lore, adding depth to the gameplay. When Astor switches into a bubble in the spirit realm, all the colours in the world fade away, revealing scenery that may be completely different from the normal world. Openings, platforms, and bridges that were previously unseen become visible and can now be used. Loved that concept.
Despite its familiar foundations, Astor: Blade of the Monolith manages to deliver an enjoyable adventure with enough surprises to keep players engaged. I do, however, question the choice of controls, though. Some of the button choices just don’t feel natural to me for a game like this. The strong and normal attack buttons feel like they’re the wrong way around, and the block button doesn’t feel right as the LB button. The controls just feel off, especially when compared to a load of other games of this genre. You do get used to it, though, as the game progresses.
How it Looks
The visual design of the game is a mesmerising fusion of ancient mysticism and advanced technology. The game’s world is characterized by its towering spires, lush overgrowth, and radiant energy fields. The colour scheme transitions smoothly from the earthy hues of forest areas to the vivid neon colours of cyberpunk cityscapes. Each setting is unique, with meticulous details in the architecture, vegetation, and wildlife.
Additionally, the lighting effects contribute to the ambience. Sunsets create elongated shadows over deteriorating stone bridges, and neon lights blink in the rain-drenched alleys. The particle effects in combat, like the sparks from sword clashes or the illuminated runes when Astor uses powers, bring a lively element to the game. It’s a visually stunning experience that engulfs players in its mythical universe.
Although the environments are typical for video games – dark caves, woodlands, deserts – their design is appealing, with a robust cartoon style that distinguishes the game from its peers. Watching the wind sway the bushes, and tall grasses of the forest realm and playfully affect Astor’s cloak was a pleasantly surprising visual delight for a game at this price point. However, some of the environments do feel a bit barren. As you traverse a desert, you’ll meet a few foes, but there’s not much to draw you off the beaten path to the next dungeon. Almost like it’s missing some depth. But I can’t complain too much about that, as I’m generally one of those gamers who just want to finish the main story as that’s what I’m here for.
Conclusion
Overall, Astor: Blade of the Monolith brings together a collection of tried-and-true mechanics in a pretty satisfying way. with a gentle difficulty curve and minimal hassle, even with the lacklustre combat, Astor: Blade of the Monolith proves an enjoyable means to while away a few hours.
It brings the challenging gameplay mechanics of Soulslike games to the action RPG genre. With its vibrant visuals, family-friendly appeal, and accessible gameplay, it offers a welcoming experience for casual players. However, hardcore action fans might find themselves desiring additional refinement and fresh innovations in the game. Some might say it’s lacking something, but for someone like me, where I don’t need tons of lore and an additional 20 hours of gameplay, it’s perfectly fine. Sure, a bit more depth would be welcome in some areas, but this isn’t a £40 game. It’s £20.99 on Steam. At that price, what you’re getting is actually great value.
With a little refinement in the combat, this has the potential to be an incredible game. Other than the button mapping, the combat always looks a little off. Like you’re not really hitting anything. It’s not a major problem, but once you notice it, you can’t unnotice it. Don’t let that put you off, though. The general gameplay is fun, it looks incredible, and there’s so much heart and excitement that you can forget about some of the shortcomings and just enjoy yourself. And isn’t that what gaming is supposed to be about?
