Climb this huge pretty open-world RPG for only $30

DragonSword: Awakening Clears the Air After Epic Journey to Steam

After navigating a choppy path marked by legal disputes and a significant delay, the open-world action RPG DragonSword: Awakening has finally landed on Steam, greeted by enthusiastic players and strong early reviews. With over 4,600 user reviews since its July 22 debut, the game has garnered an impressive 90% positive rating, proving that sometimes, patience pays off in the world of gaming.

The journey to launch was anything but smooth. Behind the scenes, the development process for DragonSword: Awakening was fraught with drama. Former publisher Webzen accused the developer, Hound13, of failing to meet obligations, leading to lawsuits and internal conflicts that necessitated a last-minute hold on the release.

But this is an RPG, not a holding pattern. The official FAQ posted on Steam cut straight through the confusion, clarifying exactly what players were looking at: a single-player RPG focused entirely on story and exploration in an open world. It firmly distances the title from expectations of being a gacha game or an MMORPG, positioning it instead as a premium experience.

This deliberate focus on core gameplay has led to fascinating comparisons. Many are seeing DragonSword: Awakening as a refreshing alternative, much like the blend between open-world exploration and deep character systems found in games such as Genshin Impact, while embracing the premium structure of titles like Granblue Fantasy: Relink.

The game’s design philosophy is delightfully expansive. It throws players into a world where “more is more,” featuring 19 playable heroes, customizable mounts, underwater temples, and dungeons packed with activity. While some find the visual style—a loud, high-contrast, Unreal Engine 5 approach—a bit over the top, others are simply captivated by the motion and depth of the open world.

The real magic lies in its fusion of genres. Reviewers have embraced the title as a powerful blend of epic action RPGs, drawing comparisons to classics like Dragon’s Dogma, delivering an experience that is undeniably fun and deeply satisfying.

The community response has been glowing, highlighting the game’s value proposition. Players are celebrating the fact that a title with such scope and content is available for just $30 at full price, which many consider a steal. Users are especially eager to experience an action RPG that successfully steers away from the pitfalls of excessive gacha mechanics.

Furthermore, the developers demonstrated transparency regarding their creative process. Hound13 confirmed that generative AI was not used to create in-game content resources; its role was limited to translating dialogue and external community communications, underscoring a commitment to traditional development methods.

Whether you view it as an evolution of existing action RPGs or a brilliant deconstruction of the gacha model, DragonSword: Awakening has managed to deliver something truly engaging. It stands as a testament to perseverance and a compelling example of how open-world adventure can be made better.