The Relic: First Guardian: Korean mythology-inspired action RPG launches

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After years of development, The Relic: First Guardian officially launched on PC and consoles on July 31, 2026. This dark fantasy action RPG draws inspiration from Korean mythology and folklore. It was developed by the independent studio Project Cloud Games and published by Perp Games.

The Relic: First Guardian (Image source: Steam)
The Relic: First Guardian (Image source: Steam)

A ruined world left behind by catastrophe

The story takes place in Arsilthus, a land that was once prosperous but has become a desolate wasteland after the Great Relic was destroyed. Players step into the role of a Guardian, tasked with restoring the shattered world while honoring the souls of the fallen. The journey unfolds in a haunting atmosphere deeply rooted in Korean mythology and traditional folklore.

Fast-paced combat with unrestricted offense

One of the game's defining features is its unique approach to combat. Unlike many action RPGs, The Relic: First Guardian does not consume stamina for basic attacks, allowing players to unleash relentless offensive combos without interruption. Instead, stamina is reserved exclusively for vital defensive actions such as dodging and blocking. Powerful magic abilities rely on cooldown timers and a separate energy gauge, encouraging aggressive play while rewarding careful defensive decision-making.

Fast-paced combat system (Image source: Steam)
Fast-paced combat system (Image source: Steam)

A mysterious semi-open world to explore

Arsilthus is designed as a semi-open world with interconnected regions featuring ancient ruins, hidden dungeons, and cinematic landscapes. Guardians willing to venture beyond the main path can uncover rare artifacts, secret events, and forgotten pieces of lore hidden throughout the devastated world.

Face up to 80 tragic boss encounters

The Relic: First Guardian features up to 80 boss battles, with each boss representing a standalone dark folktale tied to a personal tragedy that can only be brought to an end through victory. Every encounter offers distinct combat mechanics, requiring players to adapt their strategies rather than relying on a single approach.

The game features up to 80 boss battles. (Image source: Steam)
The game features up to 80 boss battles. (Image source: Steam)

Every weapon tells its own story

The game offers five primary weapon classes: Sword & Shield, Battle Staff, Daggers, Two-Handed Weapons, and Longsword. Every weapon is completely unique, with no duplicate equipment appearing throughout the game. Each carries its own tragic history, making every newly discovered weapon another piece of Arsilthus' past and turning the player's arsenal into a collection of living legends.

Ancient weapon skill trees and flexible character builds

Each weapon class features its own skill tree powered by Relic energy, allowing players to unlock passive abilities that reshape gameplay alongside visually spectacular ultimate skills. Rather than using a traditional leveling system, character progression is driven entirely by equipment and Relics collected during the adventure. With more than 70 unique passive effects, the Relic system encourages constant experimentation, letting players freely swap passive abilities, adjust their combat style, and create builds that suit their preferred playstyle.