Eastern Exorcist: Slaying Demons in Style

Eastern Exorcist has officially launched on PC platforms. This stylish side-scrolling action RPG aims to provide a unique dark fantasy setting based on ancient Chinese lore and an exhilarating combat challenge. Players take control of an exiled demon-hunting exorcist or a poisoned half-demon girl on separate quests across the countryside. They’ll face off against imaginatively hideous monsters and villainous spirits in precision-based melee showdowns along the way.

Gorgeous artwork, fascinating tragedy-filled narratives, and nuanced brawling mechanics create an engaging experience. However, Eastern Exorcist is held back by some gameplay balancing issues, repetitious environments, and a lack of content beyond the two core storylines. Still, there is plenty here for fans of tough side-scrollers to enjoy

Key Specifications Of Eastern Exorcist

Gameplay and Story

Eastern Exorcist puts players in control of demon-slaying warriors Lu Yunchuan and Xiaohou Xue, an exiled exorcist and a poisoned half-demon, respectively. Each character journeys across ancient China pursuing their goals, allowing for two storylines. These dark and tragic tales see the protagonists battling human greed and supernatural evil through side-scrolling levels. They will face off against grotesque monsters and villainous ghosts in challenging combat encounters.

Despite the 2D presentation, Eastern Exorcist utilises a surprisingly deep fighting system. Players can string fast melee combos and parry attacks together and use well-timed dodges and finishers for bonus effects. Managing stamina and properly countering enemy moves is critical to mastering precise combat. A variety of magic spells can also supplement the action or provide buffs. Defeating foes and progressing earns XP to power up stats and level up spells slowly.

Gameplay and Combat

Despite the 2D side-view presentation, Eastern Exorcist utilises a surprisingly deep and technical fighting system. Players can pull off fast melee combos, mixing light and heavy strikes. A well-timed offence also opens up powerful finishers and follow-ups. Holding the attack button charges more serious blows for breaking enemy defences. The real core of combat lies in defence and countering. Players can block or dodge incoming attacks with precise timing windows. Doing so deflects blows and allows for lightning-quick reprisals. Timed dodges let you dash through attacks into lunging punches capable of wall splats. Many special moves and finishers also rely on accurate rhythm to properly activate without fail.

Spectacular Bosses

One highlight of Eastern Exorcist’s side-scrolling battles is the screen-filling boss encounters. After battling through small-fry minions and mid-tier threats, players eventually stumble upon lavishly detailed demons, ghosts, and inhuman horrors. These extended duels serve as testing grounds to flex mastery of the combat mechanics.

Most bosses boast multiple health bars and phases, so their defeats feel genuinely earned. Highlights include an astoundingly agile monkey king who triples himself, a towering club-wielding brute, and surreal twin tree spirits. Each challenger requires learning their patterns, tells, and openings patiently. Occasionally, the game throws a particularly vicious skill check, though a few tone down the difficulty too easily, considering their placement.

Where It Falters?

For all its beauty and wildly entertaining action, Eastern Exorcist stumbles in a few areas, holding it back from masterpiece status. Most notably, the actual level design proves disappointingly plain and linear. Beyond appreciating the lovely backdrops, environments offer little to interact with or explore. It often feels like walking down a hallway from arena to arena.

Checkpoints also tend to be placed right before mini-boss fights, which can lead to tedious backtracking after repetitive failures. The occasional cheap enemy spam during big encounters also undercuts the rhythmic combat, where crowd control options are limited. Xiaohou’s story ends abruptly on an odd note that may leave some players unsatisfied.

Pros and Cons of Eastern Exorcist

Should I Play Eastern Exorcist?

For fans of tough-as-nails action games or gorgeous side-scrolling visuals, Eastern Exorcist is worth playing. The precise, rhythmic combat provides highly satisfying and technical martial arts battles once you adjust to the unforgiving nature of the gameplay. Painted backdrops and gruesome demons also make the progression through the gloomy fantasy world engrossing. However, those seeking a sprawling Metroidvania with extensive exploration or gear hunting may be disappointed. Likewise, the harsh difficulty spikes and lack of content past the 12-16-hour main stories greatly diminish long-term incentives. Yet with two unique playable characters, imaginative lore, and plenty of formidable foes to cut down, Eastern Exorcist delivers a darkly alluring action experience.

FAQs

Is there local co-op or multiplayer?

No. Eastern Exorcist is single-player only without any co-op or versus modes.

How linear is the gameplay and level design?

Extremely linear, with little exploration or hidden secrets off the main path and between combat encounters.

Are there multiple endings? Can I influence the story?

No, both story campaigns have a single ending that does not change based on player actions.

Is there any weapon or gear customisation for the characters?

None. Your movesets and abilities cannot be customised or expanded beyond set level-up bonuses.

About how long is an average playthrough?

Each story campaign averages around 6-8 hours if playing straight through the main quests. So, 12-16 hours total for both.