- Is The Relic First Guardian a Soulslike? Yes, it is officially classified as one, featuring stamina-based combat and checkpoint respawns.
- Combat design: Defensive actions like dodging and parrying drain stamina, while attacking is encouraged and costs nothing.
- Boss encounters: Over 75 bosses roam the world, with the majority being optional challenges hidden in side dungeons.
- Progression system: Instead of traditional leveling, your power scales through collectible Relics and weapon skill trees.
- Difficulty expectation: While visually inspired by FromSoftware titles, the game struggles with technical jank that impacts overall difficulty.
Is The Relic First Guardian a Soulslike? Defining the Genre
The short answer is yes. If you are wondering whether The Relic First Guardian fits into the Soulslike genre, both its developer descriptions and core gameplay mechanics confirm this classification. It draws heavy inspiration from the FromSoftware lineage of action RPGs, featuring a dark fantasy world, methodical stamina-based combat, and a strong emphasis on exploration and boss encounters.
However, understanding how it functions as a Soulslike requires looking past the surface. While it adopts the structural framework of the genre, it introduces unique twists to progression and combat flow that separate it from standard clones.
Video Highlights:
- Combat is cohesive but hindered by sluggish controls and janky camera behavior.
- The game features over 75 bosses, with most being completely optional.
- Progression relies entirely on Relic stones and weapon skill trees, removing traditional leveling.
- Side stories draw inspiration from Korean folklore, offering compelling narrative moments.
- Visual fidelity and technical performance hold the game back from top-tier status.
Major gaming outlets and the Steam community explicitly tag The Relic First Guardian as a Soulslike. The developers actively highlight the game's Souls-inspired combat design, focusing on aggressive defensive-parry mechanics.
Core Combat Mechanics: How It Compares to FromSoftware
The combat in The Relic First Guardian is where the Soulslike identity shines brightest, though it takes a distinct approach to stamina management. Understanding these mechanics is crucial for surviving encounters against both regular enemies and massive bosses.
Stamina and Aggression
Unlike traditional Souls games where every action drains stamina, The Relic separates offensive and defensive costs. Only defensive maneuvers—such as dodging and parrying—consume your stamina bar. This system actively encourages players to stay aggressive, as swinging your weapon costs nothing.
Enemies also possess a hidden stamina pool. When you deplete an enemy's stamina through continuous attacks or successful parries, they enter a staggered state, opening them up for critical damage.
| Mechanic | The Relic First Guardian | Traditional Souls Games (e.g., Dark Souls) |
|---|---|---|
| Attack Cost | Free (No stamina drain) | Drains stamina per swing |
| Dodge/Parry Cost | Drains stamina | Drains stamina |
| Enemy Stagger | Tied to hidden enemy stamina | Tied to Poise / hidden stamina |
| Lock-On System | Present, but reported as janky/unreliable | Present and generally polished |
| Healing | Vial-based system | Estus Flask / similar systems |
Weapon Combo System
The game features five distinct weapons, each offering a unique playstyle. However, mastering them requires rhythm. Each weapon possesses only a single combo string, and you cannot simply button-mash. Every subsequent swing in a combo requires precise timing to execute.
Enemies do not have visible stamina bars. You will never know exactly how close an enemy is to a full stagger until it actually happens. Patience and counting your hits are essential for surviving group encounters.
Progression: Relics, Skills, and No Traditional Leveling
One of the most significant departures from standard Soulslike mechanics in The Relic First Guardian is the complete removal of traditional stat progression and leveling up. Instead, your power scaling is entirely tied to collectible Relics and weapon skill trees.
The Relic System
Relics are stones that modify, enhance, or bolster your stats. They provide an extra layer of customization that replaces standard RPG leveling.
Basic Relics
- Raises maximum hit points
- Increases overall stamina pool
- Bolsters elemental defenses
Special Relics
- Grants temporary invincibility on fatal damage
- Modifies special attack interactions
- Enables unique build synergies
Weapon Skills
- Unlocked via Relic Points
- Two-sided skill trees per weapon
- Freely respecable with easy-to-find items
Weapon Skill Trees
Each of the five weapons features a two-sided skill tree, firmly dividing them into distinct play styles. For example, the Battle Staff can be built for dangerous melee whirlwind attacks or upgraded to provide powerful ranged options akin to a traditional mage.
Relic Points required to unlock these skills are finite. You cannot grind them from regular enemies. They are only awarded through specific boss fights, certain quests, and by discovering hidden blue shrines scattered across the world.
If a boss fight requires a new approach, you can easily refund your invested Relic Points. Using a readily available item, you can respec your character and reallocate points into a different weapon tree or defensive Relic as you see fit.
Exploration, World Design, and Boss Encounters
The world of The Relic First Guardian is structured around three main regions, each with a distinct visual filter and geography. Exploration is heavily rewarded, though the execution can be polarizing.
Navigating the Three Regions
The regions are designed to convey the mood of a dead world, filled with ghost towns and ruined fortresses. Unfortunately, many of these environments share similar architectural assets, making areas feel somewhat indistinguishable. The primary way to identify your current region is through the heavy color filters applied to the environment.
| Region Type | Visual Identity | Exploration Hazards |
|---|---|---|
| Minty Greenland | Hazy yellow glow (Middle East film aesthetic) | Getting stuck on random waist-deep geometry |
| Burning Villages | Oppressive orangey-red glow | Pathways hidden by smudged image quality |
| Caves/Dungeons | Artificially darkened peripheral vision | Vignette effect limits peripheral awareness |
Boss Design and Encounters
With over 75 bosses—most of which are optional—combat encounters are the centerpiece of the experience. Bosses present a more complex puzzle to solve compared to standard enemies and feature more detailed, interesting designs.
However, these fights often require tedious tactics to avoid cheap deaths. Bosses frequently utilize environmental hazards, stack status effects, and employ relentless offense that cannot be reliably interrupted.
Be prepared for occasional technical breakages during boss encounters. Some players have reported bosses failing to spawn upon respawning, leaving them trapped in an empty room. Always be ready to reload your save if a fight bugs out.
Step-by-Step: Getting Started as a First Guardian
If you are diving into The Relic First Guardian expecting a standard Soulslike experience, you will need to adapt your strategy. Follow these steps to establish a strong foundation in the early game.
Master the Combo Rhythm
Do not button-mash. Since attacks are free but require timing, spend your first hour learning the combo strings of your starting weapon. Wait for the visual or audio cue before inputting the next swing.
Prioritize Defensive Relics Early
Since there is no traditional leveling, your survivability comes from Relics. Focus on finding and equipping Relics that boost your hit points and stamina pool before investing in niche offensive stats.
Hunt Blue Shrines for Skill Points
Do not ignore exploration. Relic Points are incredibly scarce. Scour the countryside for blue shrines and follow the breadcrumb trail of records left by fallen soldiers to find hidden points of interest.
Respec for Boss Encounters
If you hit a wall on a specific boss, do not grind—you cannot. Instead, use a respec item to change your weapon skill tree. Switching from a melee build to a ranged build (like the Battle Staff) can trivialize certain encounters.
Ignore Low-Tier Loot
By the third act, you will have more gold than you can spend. Stop risking your life for shiny loot markers that only yield 30-50 gold. Focus only on chests that contain meaningful gear or crafting materials.
Early Game Survival Checklist:
- Learn the timing for your weapon's single combo string
- Collect HP and stamina-boosting Relics immediately
- Find at least three Blue Shrines for Relic Points
- Complete side dungeons for unique equipment
- Stockpile respec items for build flexibility
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is The Relic First Guardian officially a Soulslike game?
Yes. The developers explicitly highlight its Souls-inspired combat design, and major gaming communities classify it as such. It features stamina-based defensive mechanics, checkpoint respawns, and methodical boss fights.
Q: Does the game feature traditional leveling and stats?
No. The Relic First Guardian removes traditional leveling entirely. Your character's power scales through equipping Relic stones that modify stats and unlocking weapon-specific skill trees using Relic Points.
Q: How hard is The Relic First Guardian compared to Dark Souls?
While the game is inspired by FromSoftware titles, its difficulty often stems from technical issues rather than intentional design. Sluggish controls, a janky lock-on system, and hidden enemy stamina bars make combat unpredictable.
Q: Can I change my build if I get stuck on a boss?
Yes. The game provides easy-to-find items that allow you to refund all invested Relic Points. You can freely respec your weapon skills and Relic stones to adapt your playstyle to different boss encounters.
The Relic First Guardian is undeniably a Soulslike at its core. It successfully implements the genre's framework—dark fantasy, methodical combat, and fragmentary storytelling—but its execution is held back by technical shortcomings and aggressive visual filters.