Shards of the Banished

Shards of the Banished is a dark fantasy action RPG that combines challenging Soulslike combat with exploration, character progression, and an intriguing tale of betrayal and supernatural corruption. Developed and published by GreenBeamStudio, an independent team of students, the game takes place in a devastated medieval kingdom where a fallen monarch, a cursed queen, and a ruthless usurper have brought civilization to the brink of destruction. Players control an exiled heir determined to uncover the truth behind their banishment and reclaim their rightful inheritance. Despite its relatively small scale and unfinished elements, the game presents an ambitious vision that should appeal to players who appreciate atmospheric adventures, demanding encounters, and mysterious fantasy worlds. The narrative establishes a compelling backdrop without overwhelming players with excessive exposition. Rather than relying entirely on elaborate dialogue or cinematic storytelling, the game emphasizes environmental details to communicate the kingdom's tragic history. Ruined landscapes, abandoned structures, and unsettling surroundings contribute to the impression of a civilization consumed by darkne…

There's a lot of potential here. The combat is good for the most part and the world is very atmospheric and interesting. I think if the devs had a larger budget they could give us a soulslike gem but this game as of now is a bit too janky. I enjoyed most of what I experienced however some assets barley load in and bosses feel a bit archaic in their combat design. The dragon fight I'm seemingly locked out of after dying once which is a major disappointment and bug. The story is a good setup however the the game has very minimal direction or tips on where you should go which is both a pro and a con. You have to really evaluate the scenery and where the light beams are emitting from to get all three down so you can open the large gate. Overall it's solid but leaves much to be desired.

Shards of the Banished is a dark fantasy action RPG that I found interesting because it takes the familiar soulslike formula and puts it into a bleak world filled with ruins and strange crystal powers. I play as an exiled heir trying to survive in a fallen kingdom while uncovering what happened to the land and why I was banished. I liked the setting because it gives the exploration a constant feeling that something important has been lost. The combat is based around stamina management, dodging, parrying and powerful finishing attacks. I enjoyed the fact that I cannot simply attack constantly without thinking. Watching my stamina and choosing the right moment to defend or strike makes the fights feel more deliberate. The combat can be punishing, but that fits the style and makes successful encounters feel more rewarding. Character progression gives me several ways to shape my play style. I can unlock abilities through a skill tree and use talismans that provide different bonuses and effects. I liked having those choices because they give me some control over how my character develops instead of forcing me into one fixed build. The mysterious crystals also tie the progression syste…

the combat is so slow it feels almost turn based this game got 1 update and the early access says "we will be out of early access by late 2025" its 2026 if im reading that its def not true lol okay game but i feel like my time was robbed so i guess not even worth free? oh yeah and the lag is bad game feels like its mining bit coin

Extremely rough soulslike copy with boring assortment of enemies, stiff movement and attacks, and an uninspired setting

ive enjoyed it so far and havent had any problems, we shall see how it goes