- Publisher: Bandai Namco Games
- Release Date: Sep 19, 2025
- Also On: PlayStation 5, Switch, Xbox Series X
- Critic score
- Publication
- By date
- Unscored
-
Sep 18, 2025Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree looks stylish and atmospheric, but the repetitive combat and slow pacing hold it back. Fans of Japanese mythology may find charm here, though those seeking depth will be disappointed.
-
Oct 15, 2025Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree has some big ideas that never feel fully fleshed out. This game screams “potential,” but the only aspect that really sticks the landing is the town and inhabitants changing as time moves on. I enjoyed witnessing growth, stagnation, and death. The writers have poignant stories to tell and that is TGST’s best quality. Unfortunately, a commendable combat design that runs out of ideas and creativity quickly languishes the entire experience as I, unfortunately, was eager for the developers to wrap things up.
-
Sep 25, 2025Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree is gorgeous and creative, but ultimately held back by its core mechanics. Fun characters, great art, and a unique minigame fail to elevate this title beyond its stiff and below-average-for-the-genre gameplay.
-
Sep 18, 2025When I hit the credits of Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree, I felt a little bit bummed out. I don't regret my 25 hours spent playing the game, but it never elevated beyond just being an acceptable action roguelike. Many of the game's unique components in the combat & structure feel either inconsequential or insignificant. The overall presentation is stellar, and the Shinju Village NPC stories are endearing. However, stale combat, underbaked sub-systems, and a mediocre overall narrative bring down a game that I wish left more of an impression on me.
-
Sep 18, 2025Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree is a visually charming and narratively ambitious roguelite that explores themes of sacrifice, time loops, and divine responsibility. While the world-building and character interactions show genuine heart, the gameplay struggles to support the story’s weight. Repetitive run structures, a tedious weapon durability system, and emotionally flat consequences undermine what could have been a standout experience. It’s a game full of good ideas, but one that ultimately lacks the cohesion and polish needed to make its ambition truly resonate.
-
Sep 23, 2025Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree really does have some strong arguments at the end of its staff. Its duo system allows it to offer both engaging gameplay and enjoyable stories. On top of that, the woodblock print style gives it undeniable charm. And we have to add the developers’ great generosity. On paper, then, there’s no reason to be bored with the new game from Brownies and Bandai Namco. But between theory and practice, there is sometimes a gulf. The beauty of Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree unfortunately fades as the hours go by. It scatters, sometimes loses itself, and leaves us with the impression of gorging on content without managing to fully appreciate it. By trying too hard to be on all fronts, Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree gradually drifts away from the innovative and delightful experience it could have been. The game certainly has potential, but it lacks the guardians to raise it among the sacred games.
| This publication does not provide a score for their reviews. | |
| This publication has not posted a final review score yet. | |
| These unscored reviews do not factor into the Metascore calculation. | |
-
Sep 22, 2025Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree is a game I’m eager to praise, but it also warrants some criticism. As much as I've loved its world and anime-style characters, over the long term its combat has become more of a chore than something genuinely enjoyable.