Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree Review – A Stunning Japanese Roguelike on PS5
A beautiful Japanese-style roguelike that’s easy to pick up, but mastery takes time
Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree delivers a charming roguelike adventure where you step into the role of Towa, leader of the sacred tree’s guardians, fighting against the forces of Magatsu alongside brave allies. Each run feels fresh thanks to procedurally changing dungeons, unique guardian skills, and weapon variety that ensures every battle is different.
Played here on PS5, the game immediately stands out with its stunning Japanese art style. Hand-drawn details, traditional-inspired designs, and fluid animations bring the atmosphere to life, creating the feeling of stepping into a living Japanese painting. Combat is smooth, exploration flows seamlessly, and effects enhance the theme beautifully.
Dynamic Partner System
One of the standout features is the guardian partner system. Players fight with two characters at once: the main hero wields a sword with fast combos or heavy strikes, while the support character brings buffs, barriers, and magic. Each support can equip up to 16 customizable skills, letting you craft strategies tailored to your playstyle. Local co-op is also available, though the second player takes the support role, requiring tight communication due to the red-thread tether keeping both characters close.
Roguelite Action and Replayability
Each dungeon run offers branching paths—buff rooms, upgrade shops, or brutal challenge fights that reward risk-takers. Every encounter ends in tough boss battles that demand timing, dodging, and precision. The roguelite structure means each attempt sharpens your reflexes, with resource gathering allowing long-term upgrades to strengthen future runs.
Additional Features
The game goes beyond core combat with sword forging, where materials affect durability, stats, and even special effects. There’s also a fishing minigame that doubles as a way to earn points for upgrades, serving as a lighthearted break from dungeon intensity. Character progression is deep, with skill upgrades, rune enhancements, and unlockable abilities that make each guardian feel unique.
Verdict
Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree is a polished roguelike bursting with Japanese artistry, addictive combat, and thoughtful systems. It’s accessible enough for casual play yet layered with depth for hardcore strategists. The ability to play local co-op adds extra charm, making it great for friends or family.
Score: 9/10 – Gorgeous visuals, fluid gameplay, and strategic depth make this a must-play roguelike, though character variety only shines after some time investment.
Highlights
- Stunning Japanese art and smooth performance
- Fun and challenging roguelite gameplay
- Partner system and local co-op add depth and variety
- Extra features like sword forging and fishing enhance replay value
Drawbacks
- Early characters feel similar until progression unlocks deeper differences
Thanks to Bandai Namco Entertainment for providing the review copy.
