Key information
South Korean studio Boundary and publisher Krafton are developing Tarae: The Unbound, an isometric action role-playing game rooted in Buddhist mythology. The reviewer played an early version at Gamescom in Cologne, Germany, noting the title shows real promise despite being far from finished.
Reviewing the combat mechanics, the author found that wielding the melee-focused Samurai class offered satisfying audio-visual feedback through a dodge roll, limited stamina, and healing potions. Particular highlights included a charging slash with weighty animations and a throwable dagger allowing players to teleport to its resting spot for an area-of-effect eruption.
The reviewer assessed that standard enemy hordes were not especially challenging, though carelessness required dodging or healing. In contrast, two early boss fights proved more engaging; a giant toad demon was enjoyable to battle, while a sorcerer fight was genuinely challenging due to precise positioning requirements and invulnerability strikes, ultimately defeating the reviewer before the demo time-limit expired.
Regarding availability, the game is TBC on PC via Steam, and Krafton provided flights and accommodation for the Gamescom preview event. The reviewer concluded that genre enthusiasts should watch the title as it explores its rich Eastern mythology setting and deep buildcrafting options.
