Swords, Demons & Anime Vibes: Why Yasha: Legends of the Demon Blade Hooked Me Instantly

The video above is from my live stream, which takes place on twitch.tv/checkpointvibes

First off, huge thanks to 7QUARK, the awesome dev and publisher behind Yasha: Legends of the Demon Blade, for sending me a free copy to play on stream and review for thedailygamepad.net!

Let me tell you—I was already curious about this game just from the art and premise, but the moment that anime-style opening kicked in, I was sold. As a big anime fan, I couldn’t help but think, “Man, this game needs an actual anime adaptation!” The energy, the style, the music—it was giving opening theme energy in the best way.

Yasha: Legends of the Demon Blade is a roguelite action game set in a beautifully crafted, Edo-inspired fantasy world. You’re up against demonic forces, slicing and dicing your way through supernatural chaos while uncovering hidden truths about this mysterious realm.

You get to pick from three unique characters, each with their own vibe, backstory, and fighting style:

• Shigure – A young swordstress from the mortal realm. She’s your go-to if you’re new to roguelites, with solid swordplay and a beginner-friendly moveset.
• Sara – A dual-blade-wielding oni emissary with a wild backstory involving King Yama and a mission gone sideways. She’s fast, agile, and perfect for players who love a speedrun-style challenge.
• Taketora – My personal favorite. This general from the Konpeki Nation is basically a Rakshasa (shoutout to my fellow D&D nerds who know what a Rakshasa is) or a badass weretiger. He blends ranged and melee attacks, and he hits hard.

If you’re looking for power, Taketora’s your guy. But if you like zipping around and slicing things up quickly, Sara’s your girl. Shigure, meanwhile, is great for getting your feet wet.

I played the game with a gamepad and headphones, just like it’s recommended—and honestly, the controls are super smooth. The only hiccups I had were with the parry and mystic artes system. Not because they were badly designed—it was just me needing more practice. Taketora ended up being the easiest to parry with, so I think with more time, I’d be decent with the others too.

Combat is flashy, fast, and satisfying, with a sprinkle of roguelike elements. As you go through levels, you’ll collect bulbs that give you power-ups and find shrines to pray at for blessings. It’s the kind of game where every run can feel a little different, even if you’re moving through familiar territory.

Now, here’s where I have mixed feelings: while each character has their own backstory, they all follow the same game path. So you’re essentially playing through the same levels no matter who you pick. I kinda wish they had gone all in and made the stories fully unique with different maps or mission paths.

Also, all three characters are unlocked right from the start. While that’s cool in terms of freedom, it also means if you play Sara or Taketora first, you’ll basically get spoiled on major story points that Shigure’s path lays out. I think it would’ve hit harder if you had to unlock the other characters after completing each other storyline that comes before that character.

Despite a few storytelling bumps, Yasha: Legends of the Demon Blade is a stylish, action-packed ride. The anime-inspired visuals are gorgeous, the combat is fluid, and the characters each bring something unique to the table. It’s a great game to chill with and slash your way through after a long day—and if you’re like me, you’ll probably end up imagining an anime version in your head the whole time.

🎮 Want to try it out for yourself? You can grab Yasha: Legends of the Demon Blade:

• On Steam (PC) for $13.99 USD
  
• On PS4/PS5 for $29.99 USD
  
• On Nintendo Switch for $29.99 USD

Whether you’re in it for the swords, the demons, or the anime vibes—this one’s worth checking out.