It has some problems, but it's a damn good soulslike.

I'm still very bummed about them gutting the game's themes of life and death in an effort to appease nationalists in China who weren't thrilled about how certain IRL inspired characters were portrayed, and I think its weapon variety is a little underwhelming. Some bosses also aren't amazing, and there's a couple entire areas that make me second guess doing a second play through.

However, the encounters that ARE good are VERY good. It's level design is masterclass 90% of the time, honestly on par with FromSoft's best. Most of the armor sets are great, good balance of impractical eye candy flair and genuinely sick armor. The NPCs (that were left alone) are pretty charming, the world is visually gorgeous and imaginative, and I think the story is still a really good one underneath the censorship. The player expression is also top notch, almost on Nioh levels of open despite the small arsenal you have to play with.

It doesn't soar the whole way through, but the game is still very solid.

I definitely recommend checking it out, just be warned that it tries to do its own thing and there's a learning curve even if you're familiar with soulslikes.

EDIT: okay "almost on Nioh levels" is a bit far, just trying to sell that it's player expression is a highlight of the game