Wren’s Resurgence Wren taking on the demons

Wren’s Resurgence Review

Game: Wren’s Resurgence
Genre: Action, Adventure, Platformer
System: Steam (Windows)
Developer|Publisher: Soliloquy Games
Controller Support: Yes
Steam Deck:
Playable
Price: US $TBC | UK £TBC | EU € TBC
Release Date: January 23rd, 2025

A review code was provided, and many thanks to The IndieEXP.

Wren’s Resurgence: A Yokai-Filled Adventure With Rough Edges and Big Heart

It’s always exciting to see a passion project come to life, and Wren’s Resurgence from solo developer Sam Leitch (aka Soliloquy Games) is a prime example of just that. A side-scrolling, pixel-art action platformer, Wren’s Resurgence mixes fast-paced rōnin combat with a sprawling, non-linear world inspired by Japanese folklore. It’s a game that shows tremendous love for its source material, with ambitious mechanics and a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere. While it doesn’t nail every aspect, it’s a solid debut that will appeal to seasoned fans of the genre.

A Tale of Swords, Yokai and Sisterly Bonds

The story in Wren’s Resurgence is refreshingly straightforward. Wren, a nimble rōnin warrior, must traverse a Yokai-infested island to rescue her kidnapped sister, Swan, and bring peace back to their homeland. The lore is steeped in Japanese mythology, and it’s clear the developer poured a lot of heart into crafting a world filled with several Yokai enemies and fearsome bosses like the towering Gashadokuro and the monstrous Jubokko.

Despite its simplicity, the story has just enough depth to keep you engaged as you uncover secrets, meet quirky allies, and learn more about the Yokai through Wren’s journal entries.

Wren’s Resurgence cutscene
Best to meditate with a Spirit Fox

Explore, Upgrade, and Forge Your Own Path

The game’s world is expansive, with ten unique environments ranging from eerie forests and dark caves to sewers and cityscapes. Each area is introduced by a spirit Fox, adding further to the game’s world-building. The level design encourages exploration, with branching paths and hidden areas to uncover. While the game starts off linear, it soon opens up, allowing players to choose which of the Demon Emperor’s generals to face first. This non-linear progression adds replayability and gives you the freedom to forge your own adventure.

Upgrading Wren is a highlight. As you defeat bosses and explore, you’ll gain new abilities like a wall climb and dash, which keep gameplay feeling fresh. Weapons such as swords, staves, and bows offer variety and are fun to experiment with. Collecting shards from fallen enemies and upgrading your gear at the Spirit Fox shop is always satisfying.

Combat: A Mixed Blade

Combat in Wren’s Resurgence has its moments but often feels like a double-edged sword. On one hand, the variety of weapons and the ability to block and parry add depth to the fast-paced action. On the other hand, the mechanics can feel clunky and inconsistent, with parrying, in particular, being tough to execute effectively. Combined with respawning enemies, combat can sometimes feel more like a chore than a thrill, especially during backtracking.

The game’s difficulty can also be unforgiving, even with customizable difficulty toggles. Boss battles are epic and memorable but can feel punishing, especially for casual players. Fortunately, frequent checkpoints help mitigate frustration, allowing you to get back into the action without losing too much progress.

Wren’s Resurgence combat
Watch your back

Presentation: Familiar Yet Charming

Visually, Wren’s Resurgence is solid, if not groundbreaking. The pixel art is serviceable, with a retro style that feels familiar. However, the environments stand out, and the varied landscapes keep exploration interesting. The soundtrack is another strong point, blending atmospheric melodies with more intense tracks during boss fights.

A Few Stumbles Along the Path

While the world is fun to explore, it’s not always clear where to go next. The lack of direction can lead to aimless wandering and repetitive backtracking, exacerbated by the constant respawning of enemies. For players who enjoy piecing things together themselves, this might be a plus, but others may find it frustrating.

Combat, while ambitious, feels like it could use more polish. Even with multiple weapons and abilities, the action sometimes lacks the finesse needed to make encounters consistently enjoyable.

I also encountered a few glitches throughout the game. Sometimes, enemies just seemed to disappear and reappear randomly. A major issue occurred when entering a new area; one time, I spawned into a wall, and an enemy attacked me instantly, making progress almost impossible. Fortunately, I managed to escape. Hopefully, these rough edges will be sorted with patches.

Wren’s Resurgence boss fight
So big it can’t fit on the screen

Conclusion: A Passionate Debut Worth Checking Out

Wren’s Resurgence is a love letter to Japanese folklore and action-platformers, and it shows in the game’s detailed lore, atmospheric world, and creative boss design. While its combat and navigation mechanics don’t always hit the mark, the game’s charm and heart make it a worthwhile experience for fans of the genre.

If you’re an experienced player who loves to explore and overcome challenging obstacles, you’ll likely find a lot to enjoy here. Casual players, however, might find the game’s difficulty and clunky combat a tougher barrier to entry.

Wren’s Resurgence may not be for everyone, but for those it clicks with, it’s an engaging and ambitious adventure that deserves a spot on your radar. A free demo is available on Steam.

Final Verdict: I Like It I like it

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