Trek to Yomiis a sidescrolling action-adventure game by the creator of theShadow Warriorseries, Flying Wild Hog. Players take up the mantle of the young samurai Hiroki, who is set on a path of revenge against those responsible for destroying his home.The black-and-white samurai gametakes place during the Edo period, when samurai still actively roamed Japan.
Published by Devolver Digital,Trek to Yomiis set to release at the beginning of May 2022. This is a game that has been somewhat shrouded in mystery since its initial reveal during the publisher’s showcase at E3 2021, aside from a nearly 20-minute gameplay trailer. Although plenty of people are excited to play the game, prospective players should know a few things before grabbing a copy.
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What to Know About Trek to Yomi
The first thing players should note is thatTrek to Yomiis nothing like themartial arts gameSifu, although this comparison is made fairly often. It also doesn’t have any direct similarities to the critically acclaimedGhost of Tsushima, aside from being set in a similar time period.Trek to Yomiplaces a high emphasis on its story and visuals, with relatively straightforward combat and a 2.5D sidescrolling layout, making it difficult to compare with any other title.
While it is a given that protagonist Hiroki confronts enemies as a samurai bent on revenge, combat is relatively simple and not the point of the game. This is far from anindie beat ‘em up; fighting inTrek to Yomiplaces an emphasis on observing the enemy, particularly their stance, before deciding how to approach a battle. There are light and heavy melee attacks, as well as blocks and parries. A perfectly timed block will momentarily stun the enemy, giving players an opening to deal a swift counter-attack. Yet, the essence ofTrek to Yomiis its story and cinematic design.
Trek to Yomiwriter Marcin Kryszpin has said they have gone through extensive means to ensure its story remains true to Japanese history.The game is heavily based on Shinto beliefs, in which the gods are present everywhere. In fact, the word Yomi refers to the land of the dead (or literally “world of darkness”), and it is believed that once a soul has eaten at the hearth of Yomi, they may never return to the land of the living. Players will experience this through the kami ancestors of Hiroki, who went through tragic, undeserving deaths and now suffer in Yomi.
Regarding how long the game will be, Flying Wild Hog has said there will be approximately five hours of gameplay on normal difficulty. However, this doesn’t include the many secrets scattered throughout the game, nor its post-game “one-hit” mode. Plus, thegame rewards players for exploringa world full of collectibles, secrets, and upgrades for Hiroki, sometimes with multiple paths to take. Depending on how fast or slow players take their journey across Japan inTrek to Yomi, gameplay could last between five and 10 hours.
With that said,Trek to Yomiis currently priced at $19.90 regardless of platform, and pre-orders come with a 10 percent discount. The game will also beavailable upon release on Xbox Game Pass. Whether it’s a worthwhile investment is ultimately up to each individual player, but this samurai indie game shouldn’t be passed out on.
Trek to Yomireleases May 5 on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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