Burning Sword: Death Sun Is Looking Like a Great Mix of Onimusha And Ninja Gaiden

2024 was quite a thrill ride for gaming enthusiasts as numerous top-tier titles were launched across various platforms. Some notable remakes such as Silent Hill 2 and FF7 Rebirth graced our screens, alongside fresh IPs like Black Myth: Wukong and sequels such as Helldivers 2. The year 2025 has had a steady beginning, with games including Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, Dynasty Warriors Origins, Monster Hunter Wilds, and Sniper Elite Resistance setting the pace. As we venture into the second quarter of 2025, an array of exciting new games are on the horizon that promise to keep us engaged and eager for more.

It appears that hack-and-slash style games are experiencing a revival, with established franchises such as Ninja Gaiden reappearing following a lengthy absence. Additionally, new developers are joining the fray and introducing fresh titles in this genre, including Nomadic Games’ Burning Sword: Death Sun. Initially scheduled for release in Q1 2025 (though there may be delays), Burning Sword: Death Sun has the potential to become one of the most significant games of the year.

One major reason this game stands out could be attributed to its unique style, a crucial element in creating the allure typical of games like this. For instance, games such as “Metal Gear Rising Revengeance” or “Ninja Gaiden” invest significantly in developing a distinct visual aesthetic through their fighting animations and art styles. Remarkably, despite drawing inspiration from Wuxia arts, “Burning Sword: Death Sun” still manages to present itself as something fresh and different.

Glancing at the brief clips of the game’s battles will reveal that the creator has invested considerable energy in crafting a unique fighting experience, marked by the smooth transition between one action and another, resulting in fast-paced combat. However, it’s not just about speed; each move is deliberate, weighted with purpose, creating a balance that aligns this game more with the strategic combat style of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice as opposed to the faster, less methodical battles of Metal Gear Rising Revengeance.

In this game, I’ve found myself captivated by the animations that seamlessly combine elegance with agility, giving off an authentic vibe for a martial arts-inspired title. The combat system here is equally impressive, offering a harmonious blend of strategic gameplay and swift, intense action sequences. Check out how our hero effortlessly slices flaming swords through foes, or deftly dodges enemy strikes to avoid taking damage. Plus, the game does an amazing job of capturing the impact of each blow, with both enemies and players instantly adjusting their stances after receiving a powerful attack.

In the game “Blazing Sword: Crimson Sun,” players assume the role of Zhāng Yì Xiàn, an accomplished warrior skilled in Wuxia martial arts. The story unfolds in ancient China, a land plagued by chaos that has left the kingdom in shambles. Multiple factions with unique combat styles vie for control over the kingdom, and terrifying demonic clans roam freely. Notably, Zhang Yi Xian is the leader of one such faction, the Crimson Dust Demon Sect, which originates from the deepest realms of hell. His mission is to confront Gao Tian Qi, the supreme leader who was responsible for the death of his family.

Death Sun appears to be a common one due to its heavy use of familiar genre elements. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a bad thing for the game. In fact, having a less complex narrative might help enhance other aspects, such as the combat. Instead of focusing on a dull story, Burning Sword could instead use the plot as a means to guide players through the game and dedicate more resources towards what truly matters – the gameplay.

It appears that Nomadic Games has put in considerable effort to design an engaging gameplay system. At first, the combat in Burning Sword is relatively straightforward, allowing the main character to switch between light and heavy attacks, as well as dodge enemy assaults. However, as you gradually master these fundamental aspects, the gameplay becomes more dynamic with additional special moves at your disposal, along with elemental abilities.

Over time, effortlessly slicing through groups of adversaries becomes a natural reflex for you, and linking these actions and strikes transforms into a form of personal artistry as you dance elegantly among blade flashes and close calls. The diversity of enemy types demands quick strategy changes, urging you to be adaptable in your approach to conflict and thoroughly examine the range of available moves.

Beyond battle scenes, “Burning Sword” also highlights exploration, offering extra locations for players to discover. The glimpses we’ve seen suggest our hero might climb walls and leap over gaps, hinting at potential platforming segments interspersed between combat sequences, similar to the style found in “DOOM”.

The game “Burning Sword” mainly follows a straight path without much open-world exploration, yet this can be an advantage rather than a drawback. Instead of conforming to the current trends in AAA games and creating something that doesn’t fit well with its mechanics, Nomadic Games is designing a more focused and deliberate experience. Each element in the game is carefully planned and constructed with a clear purpose.

In the Burning Sword game, we’re not well-versed in how advancement unfolds, but it’s noticeable that defeating adversaries grants you experience points. These points are likely used to unlock fresh abilities and minor enhancements to your health and energy reserves. To improve the player experience, Nomadic Games could learn from Sekiro by incorporating skill trees based on acquiring new tools rather than merely boosting abstract values with each power-up.

A standout hack-and-slash game like Sekiro enhances the feeling of power fantasy exceptionally well by ensuring that this empowerment is genuinely deserved. Upgrades for health and attacks are strategically scarce, emphasizing the necessity to master mechanics and parry timings instead of relying on experience farming and overpowering challenges through sheer force.

Moving on to the topic of boss battles, a crucial aspect in any excellent hack-and-slash game like Burning Sword. Although Nomadic Games hasn’t shared many details about these battles, considering the quality of the rest of the game and its influences, we can expect thrilling, adrenaline-pumping confrontations that combine breathtaking spectacle with nail-biting challenges. Here’s hoping that Burning Sword delivers some of the best boss fights of the year.

In the game “Burning Sword: Death Sun,” the visuals play a significant role in attracting players. It’s constructed using Epic’s Unreal Engine 5, and it skillfully utilizes the engine’s tools to generate captivating landscapes that players can savor for extended periods. The characters are intricately designed with complex skin meshes and physically based materials, while the environments are also crafted using premium assets that harmonize exceptionally well with a ray tracing-enhanced global illumination system, thereby producing high-definition settings for the combat scenes.

Grass blades dance elegantly in harmony with the wind’s melody, while various post-processing effects work efficiently during battle scenes, as alpha particles and volumetric smoke burst from elemental attacks. It’s worth noting the exceptional art direction that successfully combines realistic backdrops with fantastical elements, resulting in a unique visual experience that distinguishes it from similar genre counterparts.

Previously mentioned, Burning Sword: Death Sun aimed for a Q1 2025 launch. With Q1’s final month upon us and no release date announced yet, it seems likely that the game has experienced a delay. No new release schedule has been disclosed as of now, but we remain optimistic that the developers will utilize this extra time to refine the game’s overall quality and mechanics.

To summarize, the game titled “Burning Sword: Death Sun” has several commendable aspects. Firstly, it’s evident that Nomadic Games are deeply invested in this project, a sentiment reflected in their precise portrayal of Wuxia arts and the meticulous detail in the visuals. Secondly, the demo made available on Steam offers players a sneak peek into what they can expect, along with faith in the developer’s vision for this release. Here’s hoping that Nomadic Games will capitalize on these strengths to create a product that matches the promise suggested by its trailers and the recently released demo.

Keep in mind that the opinions shared within this article belong to the writer individually, and they may not align with the collective viewpoint of GamingBolt as a whole.

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2025-03-10 16:13