Welcome to the world of Arslan: The Warriors of Legend, a game that feels like the love child of a historical novel and an arcade beat-em-up. Players take on the role of our not-so-heroic hero, Arslan, as he bravely... well, fights a lot of enemies in stylish ways. Picture an action figure wearing royal garb, and you've pretty much got the aesthetic nailed.
So, how does one play this magnificent game of muscular mayhem? The controls are as simple as a pancake recipe. The aim? Unleash your inner warrior and eliminate hordes of enemies with hacked-up combat and exaggerated special moves that would make your favorite movie anti-hero proud. The core mechanics revolve around mashing buttons like you’re at an all-you-can-eat buffet, performing flashy combos to defeat enemies while hoping you don’t accidentally end up in a cringe-worthy dance-off. The hack-and-slash genre is well-represented here, with added layers of progression. As you slice and dice your way through scenic locales reminiscent of poorly detailed maps, you'll unlock new skills and gear, which is about as satisfying as getting extra cheese on your pizza.
In terms of graphics, calling them ‘stunning’ would be a stretch unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past decade. However, they do have a certain charm that mixes anime style with a blend of oil paintings—so if you like your bloodshed served with a side of art history, you’re in luck. The character designs are about as varied as your average high school art project, showcasing everything from outrageous hairstyles to sensible footwear. But who needs realism when you can have sparkly combat effects that distract you from the pixelated backgrounds?
Overall, Arslan: The Warriors of Legend is a game that doesn’t take itself too seriously—thankfully, because neither should you. It’s the kind of game you dive into when you want some mindless fun amidst your epic quests and conversation about existential dread. While it may not redefine the hack-and-slash genre, it offers plenty of wacky moments, button-mashing thrills, and the urge to yell at your screen whenever your character inexplicably falls into a pit because you miscalculated your jump. It’s certainly worth a spin if you're looking to temporarily escape the realm of reality for some glorified swordplay and vaguely historical narrative. Just don't expect it to win an Oscar anytime soon.