In the bustling world of roguelikes, where challenges and quick dopamine hits fuel addictive gameplay, Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree enters a crowded arena—and unfortunately, it struggles to make a lasting impression. After several hours of gameplay, instead of craving more escapades, I found myself eager to jump into Hades 2.

A Battle Against Darkness: The Premise

Towa, alongside eight guardians, faces off against the corrupted beasts unleashed by the villainous Magatsu. While the quest to save the world is noble, players are also invited to explore the Shinju Village hub to interact with characters, purchase upgrades, and craft weapons.

Familiar But Lacking Fizz

The gameplay loop closely mirrors that of Supergiant's Hades, with players dashing through enemies and earning upgrades for clearing rooms. However, this resemblance isn't flattering for Towa. Players have experienced this formula before—and likely in much better forms.

A Unique Gimmick, But Is It Enough?

Towa introduces its own twist by allowing players to pair guardians for each run. Choose one of the eight characters to wield the Tsurugi sword while another assists with support spells. While the gameplay offers some excitement, the lack of variety in spells and attack styles quickly becomes evident.

Experimentation or Monotony?

The game encourages experimentation with guardian combinations, yet after just a few plays, the limitations of this system become frustrating. As enemies fall, the diversity of spells and abilities available to the guardians feels disappointingly small, with many upgrades offering only passive boosts.

Combat: Serviceable but Lacking Spark

Combat remains functional but lacks the immediate thrill expected from a roguelike. Regular enemies present little challenge, while minibosses require some tactic. However, engaging boss fights often come only after long, unexciting levels that can take far too long to complete.

Minor Irritations Add Up

As players delve deeper into Towa, irritation builds with repetitive character dialogues during fights and tedious campfire chats that lack depth. Unlike the compelling relationship-building found in Hades, the interactions in Towa fail to engage.

A Timing Misstep?

Ultimately, Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree suffers from its unfortunate timing. Released just ahead of Hades 2, it arrives as a quick bite before players indulge in a more satisfying, Michelin-star meal. One can't help but wonder if the publisher, Bandai Namco, should have considered delaying the release. As it stands, Towa feels more like an appetizer rather than the fulfilling experience many were hoping for.