The Relic: First Guardian Release Date, Gameplay, and Everything We Know in 2026
Another year, another Soulslike. But this one feels different.
The Relic: First Guardian has been on the radar of action RPG fans for a while. It started as a project called Project Relic back in 2021, and over the years, it has evolved into something that looks genuinely impressive. South Korean developer Project Cloud Games is finally ready to unleash their dark fantasy vision upon the world.
The game was originally planned for a 2025 launch, but the developers delayed it to add more polish and optimization. That extra time seems to have been well spent. The game is built on Unreal Engine 5, features over 70 unique boss encounters, and offers a combat system that blends Soulslike challenge with faster, more aggressive action. It has drawn comparisons to heavyweights like Elden Ring, Lies of P, and Black Myth: Wukong.
The result is one of the most anticipated indie action RPGs of the year. The game’s demo appeared during Steam Next Fest and received positive feedback from players who praised its fluid combat and striking visual quality. It has been described as “an excellent game” with “very very good” graphics.
Here is everything we know about The Relic: First Guardian, including its release date, gameplay, unique progression systems, and why it could be one of 2026’s standout action RPGs.
Why The Relic: First Guardian Is Trending Right Now
The buzz around The Relic: First Guardian has been building for years. Several factors are driving the current hype:
- The game has a long history. It was originally announced as Project Relic in 2021. That gave it years of community recognition and anticipation.
- The recent release date announcement. The game is finally launching on July 31, 2026, for PS5 and PC. That has reignited interest.
- New gameplay trailers. The official exploration and world gameplay trailer, released on June 26, 2026, showcased the game’s Asian-inspired dark fantasy world and combat.
- Over 70 bosses. That’s an incredible number for an action RPG. Boss variety is a huge selling point.
- Unique progression systems. The game replaces traditional leveling with a relic-based system. Each relic has a passive effect, and there are over 70 of them. That is a fresh take on character building.
- Unreal Engine 5 visuals. The game looks stunning. The graphics have been described as “excellent” and “very, very good for today’s standards.”
- Positive demo impressions. Players who tried the demo praised the fluid combat and challenging encounters.
- Soulslike appeal. Fans of challenging action RPGs are always looking for the next great game in the genre. The Relic: First Guardian fits that bill perfectly.
Game Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Developer | Project Cloud Games |
| Publisher | Perp Games (Physical) / Project Cloud Games (Digital) |
| Genre | Action RPG, Action Adventure |
| Game Type | Soulslike Action RPG |
| Engine | Unreal Engine 5 |
| Price | To be announced |
The Relic: First Guardian is the debut title from South Korean studio Project Cloud Games. The game was originally announced under the codename Project Relic in 2021. It has since evolved significantly, with rebuilt visuals, improved combat animations, and expanded world design.
The game takes place in the fallen kingdom of Arsiltus, a once-peaceful world now overrun by a creeping blight. Players become the First Guardian, exploring this corrupted land to recover the sacred relic and restore balance to the world.
The physical edition for PS5 will be published by Perp Games, while the digital version is handled by Project Cloud Games themselves.
What We Know So Far
Confirmed Information ✅
Here is everything officially confirmed:
- Release Date: July 31, 2026
- Platforms: PC (Steam) and PlayStation 5 (launch). Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch 2 versions will follow later in Summer 2026.
- Engine: Unreal Engine 5
- Setting: The fallen kingdom of Arsiltus, a world consumed by corruption
- Bosses: Over 70 unique boss encounters
- Weapons: Five weapon types
- Skill Trees: Twelve skill trees to blend and customize
- Relic System: Over 70 relics with unique passive effects replace traditional leveling
- Combat: Stamina is used only for dodging and blocking; attacks are unrestricted
- Equipment: Every weapon and piece of armor exists only once in the game world
- Single-Player: The game is a single-player experience
Rumors & Speculation
These have not been officially confirmed:
- New Game Plus mode
- Multiple endings
- Hidden legendary relics
- DLC story expansion
- Boss Rush mode
- Photo Mode
- Future co-op update
Confirmed vs Rumored
| Aspect | Confirmed | Rumored |
|---|---|---|
| Release Date | July 31, 2026 | — |
| Platforms | PC, PS5 (launch); Xbox, Switch 2 (later) | — |
| Bosses | Over 70 unique bosses | — |
| Weapons | Five types | — |
| Skill Trees | Twelve | — |
| Relic System | Over 70 passive relics | — |
| New Game Plus | — | ⚠ Yes (rumored) |
| Multiple Endings | — | ⚠ Yes (rumored) |
| Co-op | — | ⚠ Yes (rumored) |
Release Date & Timeline
Mark your calendars: July 31, 2026.
The game launches worldwide on that date for PC via Steam and PlayStation 5. The game was originally planned for a 2025 release, but the developers delayed it to add more polish and optimization.
The PS5 version will also get an exclusive retail physical edition, though that will only be available on September 4.
Here is the timeline:
Platforms
The Relic: First Guardian is coming to multiple platforms, but not all at once.
- PC via Steam (launch)
- PlayStation 5 (launch)
- Xbox Series X|S (Summer 2026)
- Nintendo Switch 2 (Summer 2026)
No Xbox One, PS4, or mobile versions have been announced. The game is designed for current-gen and PC hardware.
Gameplay & Features
Combat System
The combat in The Relic: First Guardian is designed to be fast and aggressive while still maintaining the challenge of a Soulslike.
One of the most interesting design choices is how stamina works. Instead of tying resource management to both offense and defense, the game reserves stamina for dodging and blocking only. Attacks are unrestricted and rely on skill cooldowns instead of a shared resource pool.
That means you can attack freely without worrying about running out of stamina. The challenge comes from managing your defensive resources while staying aggressive.
The combat has been compared to a blend of Dark Souls and Devil May Cry. It is more action-oriented than traditional Soulslikes.
The Relic System
This is the game’s most distinctive feature.
Instead of traditional character leveling, progression works through collectible items called Relics. Each relic carries one of over 70 unique passive effects that can reshape skill behavior, alter combat tempo, and enhance specific weapon styles.
By strategically equipping these relics, you define the guardian you wish to become. There is no predefined class system. You build your character through the relics you find and equip.
Weapon Types and Skill Trees
The game offers five weapon types, each with its own unique properties. You can switch between them to adapt to different situations.
Twelve separate skill trees allow you to blend abilities and create a personal build rather than being locked into a predefined class.
Over 70 Bosses
This is a staggering number for an action RPG.
The game features over 70 unique boss encounters, each with a distinct attack pattern. Boss battles are creatively designed, and the game’s difficulty is expected to be challenging.
Equipment System
The game reimagines the traditional RPG loot structure by ensuring that every weapon and piece of armor exists only once in the game world. Each weapon is a unique artifact with its own history.
That means every piece of gear you find is special. There is no grinding for duplicate drops.
Exploration and World
The game features a large interconnected world set in the fallen kingdom of Arsiltus. The world is described as “semi-open,” offering exploration of ruined kingdoms, hidden dungeons, and environmental puzzles.
Comparison Section
The Relic: First Guardian is drawing comparisons to several major titles. Here is how it stacks up:
Compared to Elden Ring
| Aspect | Elden Ring | The Relic: First Guardian |
|---|---|---|
| World | Fully open world | Semi-open interconnected world |
| Combat Pace | Methodical | Faster, more aggressive |
| Progression | Traditional leveling | Relic-based system |
| Bosses | Many | Over 70 unique bosses |
| Stamina | Used for everything | Only for defense |
Compared to Lies of P
| Aspect | Lies of P | The Relic: First Guardian |
|---|---|---|
| Setting | Belle Époque-inspired | Asian-inspired dark fantasy |
| Combat | Parry-focused | Faster, more aggressive |
| Progression | Traditional | Relic-based |
Compared to Black Myth: Wukong
| Aspect | Black Myth: Wukong | The Relic: First Guardian |
|---|---|---|
| Setting | Chinese mythology-inspired | Asian-inspired fantasy |
| Combat | Fast and flashy | Fast and aggressive |
| Bosses | Many | Over 70 unique bosses |
What sets The Relic: First Guardian apart is the relic-based progression system. Instead of grinding for levels, you hunt for relics that fundamentally change how your character plays. That is a fresh take on the Soulslike formula.
Expectations & Predictions
What Players Expect
The community has high expectations. Players are expecting:
- Challenging but fair combat that rewards skill
- Large interconnected maps to explore
- Deep RPG progression through the Relic system
- Memorable boss fights with unique patterns
- Excellent optimization for smooth performance
- High replay value with multiple builds and secrets
Predictions (Speculation)
These are my predictions based on community speculation:
- New Game Plus for replayability
- Additional weapon classes added post-launch
- Future DLC expansions with new content
- Hidden secret bosses beyond the 70
- Legendary relic collection for completionists
- Cosmetic armor sets for customization
- Boss Rush mode for hardcore players
The New Game Plus prediction makes a lot of sense for a game with this many bosses and build options. It would give players a reason to replay the game with their completed builds.
Trailer & Media
Multiple trailers have been released for The Relic: First Guardian.
The official PC and PS5 release date trailer was released on June 15, 2026. It showcased fast-paced melee combat, massive boss encounters, and the dark fantasy environments.
The official exploration and world gameplay trailer followed on June 26, 2026. It provided a deep dive into the world, story, and exploration of this Asian-inspired action RPG. The trailer highlighted the game’s Unreal Engine 5 visuals, the interconnected world, and the atmospheric ruined kingdoms.
Earlier trailers, released in 2025, showcased combat against specific bosses like “Branko, the Bloodstained Shield.”
You can watch the trailers on IGN’s YouTube channel or the game’s Steam page.
System Requirements
Official PC system requirements have not been published yet. However, based on the Unreal Engine 5 visuals and similar games, we can make some educated guesses.
Minimum (Expected)
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10/11 64-bit |
| Processor | Intel Core i5-9600K / AMD Ryzen 5 3600 |
| RAM | 16 GB |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GTX 1660 Super / AMD RX 6600 |
| DirectX | Version 12 |
| Storage | SSD required |
Recommended (Expected)
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| OS | Windows 11 |
| Processor | Intel Core i7-12700K / AMD Ryzen 7 5800X |
| RAM | 32 GB |
| Graphics | NVIDIA RTX 3070 / RTX 4070 |
| Storage | SSD |
These are estimates based on Unreal Engine 5 performance trends. We will update this section when official requirements are released.
Community Reactions
What Players Are Saying
Community reactions to The Relic: First Guardian have been largely positive.
Players who tried the demo praised the game’s fluid combat, striking visual quality, and challenging bosses. Many compare it to Lies of P and Black Myth: Wukong while appreciating its distinct relic system and faster-paced gameplay.
Some players have expressed concerns about the difficulty of certain boss battles, describing them as “creatively designed but frequently feeling frustratingly unfair.” However, this is a common criticism of the Soulslike genre.
Overall, the game has been described as “looking like an excellent game” with graphics that are “very, very good for today’s standards.”
Reddit and YouTube Trends
Current discussions focus on:
- Unreal Engine 5 graphics
- Boss difficulty and variety
- Weapon switching mechanics
- Demo impressions
- Soulslike comparisons
- World exploration
- Performance optimization
- PS5 gameplay
- Hidden lore theories
- The release countdown
FAQs
What is The Relic: First Guardian?
The Relic: First Guardian is a Soulslike action RPG developed by Project Cloud Games. You play as the First Guardian, exploring the fallen kingdom of Arsiltus to recover the sacred relic and restore balance to a corrupted world.
When does The Relic: First Guardian release?
The game releases on July 31, 2026, for PC via Steam and PlayStation 5. Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch 2 versions will follow later in Summer 2026.
Is The Relic: First Guardian a Soulslike game?
Yes. It draws heavy inspiration from the Soulslike genre but features faster combat and a unique relic-based progression system.
Which platforms is The Relic: First Guardian coming to?
The game launches on PC (Steam) and PlayStation 5 on July 31, 2026. Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch 2 versions are planned for later in Summer 2026.
Will The Relic: First Guardian come to Xbox and Nintendo Switch 2?
Yes, but not at launch. The Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch 2 versions are scheduled for a later release in Summer 2026.
Does The Relic: First Guardian have multiplayer or co-op?
No multiplayer or co-op has been confirmed. The game is currently a single-player experience. Some fans have speculated about a future co-op update, but that has not been officially announced.
Conclusion
The Relic: First Guardian is shaping up to be one of the most interesting indie action RPGs of 2026.
The game has been in development for years, and it shows. The Unreal Engine 5 visuals are stunning. The combat system, with its stamina-only-for-defense design, offers a fresh take on the Soulslike formula. The relic-based progression system is unique and adds real depth to character building.
The game’s 70+ bosses promise variety and challenge. The interconnected world invites exploration. The positive demo impressions suggest the game delivers on its promises.
Will it live up to the hype? The signs are certainly encouraging. The game has a clear identity, a dedicated development team, and a passionate community.
The Relic: First Guardian launches on July 31, 2026, for PC and PS5. If you are a fan of challenging action RPGs, this is one to watch. Mark your calendars. The First Guardian is almost ready to rise.
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