The Relic: First Guardian stands out as more than just another entry in the Soulslike genre—it represents a deliberate shift in how these games are designed and experienced. While earlier titles in the genre focused primarily on solo challenges with punishing difficulty, First Guardian introduces cooperative elements that allow players to tackle its demands together without sacrificing the intensity that defines the genre.

This isn’t the first time a Soulslike game has experimented with multiplayer, but what sets First Guardian apart is its technical implementation. The game’s architecture ensures that latency remains minimal, even when players are connected across different platforms. This means whether you’re on PC or PS5, the experience feels seamless, as if you were all in the same room. It’s a detail that could redefine player expectations for both solo and cooperative play.

  • Multiplayer: Cooperative gameplay with minimal latency
  • Visual Fidelity: 4K resolution support, HDR, ray tracing
  • Performance: 60 FPS target on PS5, variable frame rate options for PC
  • Storage: 72 GB SSD recommended (base game size: 36 GB)

The game’s visual design is equally ambitious. Ray tracing isn’t just a feature here—it’s a storytelling tool. Light behaves differently in various environments, adding layers of depth to the world without overpowering the core mechanics. This approach ensures that the game remains true to its roots while pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in terms of visual fidelity.

For players, this means that whether you’re on a high-end PC or a PS5, the experience is optimized for performance and aesthetics. The 60 FPS target on PS5 ensures smooth gameplay, while variable frame rate options on PC cater to different hardware configurations. This flexibility is crucial in today’s gaming landscape, where players expect both performance and visual quality without compromise.

Looking ahead, First Guardian isn’t just a launch title—it’s designed to be a long-term experience. Cross-save and cross-progression across PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2 mean that players can pick up where they left off, regardless of the platform they’re on. This adaptability reflects the changing habits of gamers, who often switch between devices without wanting to lose their progress.

The team behind First Guardian has a history of delivering updates that extend gameplay, so it’s reasonable to expect continued support post-launch. Whether through new content or technical refinements, this game is poised to become a staple in the Soulslike genre, offering both depth and longevity.