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Action RPGs have long been a favorite among gamers, blending immersive worlds with skill-based combat. Project Landsword enters this space with bold ambitions, promising a combat system that rivals Souls-like precision, an expansive world filled with lore, and a progression system that allows deep customization. But does it deliver on its promises? After spending hours exploring its rich landscapes, battling formidable enemies, and mastering the blade, we’re here to break down what works, what doesn’t, and whether Project Landsword is worth your time.
Gameplay: Precision, Power, and Mastery
At the core of Project Landsword lies its highly responsive and skill-based combat system. Every swing of the sword carries weight, requiring precise timing to land hits, dodge incoming strikes, or parry at just the right moment. This isn’t a game where button-mashing will get you far; instead, success comes from patience, skill, and strategy.
The Combat Experience
✅ Fluid and responsive swordplay – Attacks feel impactful, with a perfect balance of speed and weight.
✅ Diverse weapon styles – From nimble rapiers to colossal greatswords, each weapon type offers a unique playstyle.
✅ Elemental infusions – Infusing weapons with fire, ice, or lightning adds another layer of strategy, making every encounter unique.
✅ Enemy AI that adapts – Opponents learn from your tactics, making fights feel fresh and challenging.
The boss battles are among the best in recent action RPGs. Each major encounter requires pattern recognition, quick reflexes, and an understanding of how to exploit enemy weaknesses. These aren’t just oversized foes with bigger health bars; they have distinct personalities, phases, and battle strategies that force players to adapt on the fly.
Exploration: A Living, Breathing World
Project Landsword isn’t just about combat—it offers a vast open world that begs to be explored. From the dense forests of Eldenwood to the sun-scorched ruins of the Crimson Hollow, every region is filled with secrets waiting to be uncovered.
✅ Vertical exploration – Parkour mechanics, wall-running, and ledge-grabbing make traversal exciting.
✅ Hidden dungeons and secrets – Rare loot, ancient artifacts, and forgotten lore reward those who venture off the beaten path.
✅ NPC interactions and side quests – Choices matter, with faction alliances shaping the world’s balance of power.
The level design deserves special praise. Unlike many open-world games that suffer from empty landscapes, Project Landsword keeps things densely packed with meaningful content, avoiding the dreaded “open-world bloat.”
Story and World-Building: A Tale of Swords and Sorcery
The narrative of Project Landsword is built around the search for the Eldershards—powerful relics capable of reshaping reality. While the main story is engaging, where the game truly shines is in its environmental storytelling and lore depth.
✅ Multiple factions with their own agendas, creating dynamic choices.
✅ A dark, mysterious past revealed through hidden texts, ruins, and NPC accounts.
✅ Player choices shape the world, leading to multiple possible endings.
That being said, the main story, while compelling, sometimes takes a backseat to the gameplay. Some character arcs feel underdeveloped, and certain plot twists lack the emotional weight they deserve. However, the richness of the world more than makes up for any narrative shortcomings.
RPG Elements and Progression
One of Project Landsword’s biggest strengths is its deep RPG mechanics, allowing for substantial customization of your character’s playstyle.
Character Build Customization
✅ Skill trees that let players specialize in agility, strength, magic, or hybrid builds.
✅ Weapon crafting and enchantments to tailor combat effectiveness.
✅ Armor and gear upgrades with meaningful stat boosts.
Unlike some action RPGs that lock you into a rigid playstyle, Project Landsword encourages experimentation. Whether you want to be a lightning-fast rogue, a tanky knight, or a spellblade wielding both magic and steel, the options are vast.
Technical Performance and Visuals
Visually, Project Landsword is stunning. The art direction embraces a semi-realistic yet painterly aesthetic, making the world feel vibrant and lived-in. The lighting, weather effects, and particle animations add immense immersion.
✅ Gorgeous landscapes and detailed environments
✅ Smooth animations with no input lag
✅ Great enemy and boss designs with intricate detail
Performance & Optimization
The game runs smoothly on high-end systems, maintaining 60+ FPS even in intense combat sequences. However, on lower-end hardware, occasional frame drops can occur in large-scale battles. While console performance is stable, the loading times could use improvement.
Multiplayer and Endgame Content
While Project Landsword is primarily a single-player experience, it offers co-op multiplayer features that allow players to take on challenging raids and boss fights together.
✅ Seamless drop-in/drop-out co-op
✅ PvP duels for those who enjoy skill-based competition
✅ Endgame challenges, such as endless arenas and hidden bosses
However, PvP balance needs some tweaking, as certain builds can feel overpowered in online matches.
Final Verdict: A Must-Play Action RPG?
Pros:
✅ Best-in-class sword combat with precision and depth.
✅ A vast, rewarding world full of secrets and exploration.
✅ Deep character customization with meaningful RPG elements.
✅ Tough but fair boss fights that reward mastery.
✅ Gorgeous visuals and immersive environments.
Cons:
❌ Some character arcs and story beats lack depth.
❌ Occasional performance dips on lower-end hardware.
❌ PvP balancing could use refinement.
Final Score: 9/10 – An Action RPG Masterpiece
Project Landsword is a must-play for action RPG fans. Its thrilling combat, expansive world, and deep RPG mechanics make it one of the best entries in the genre. While it has a few minor flaws, they do little to diminish the game’s overall excellence. Whether you’re a veteran of Souls-like combat or a newcomer looking for a challenging but rewarding adventure, Project Landsword is an experience worth diving into.
Verdict: Buy it, master your blade, and carve your legend in Project Landsword!