Relic: The First Guardian vs Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon

• Perspective: Third-Person
• Multiplayer: Single-Player Only
• Setting: Dark Fantasy (Inspired by Korean Folklore)
• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One
• Release Window: Early 2026
• Unique Feature: A unique, level-less progression system where character strength is determined by finding runes and gear, combined with a fast-paced, stamina-breaking combat system inspired by Sekiro.

• Perspective: First-Person (with optional Third-Person mode)
• Multiplayer: Single-Player Only
• Setting: Dark Fantasy, Twisted Arthurian Legend
• Platforms: PC (Steam, GOG), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
• Full Release Date: 2025-05-23
• Unique Feature: A classless, skill-based RPG system where 'you are what you do,' set in a grim, open world based on a popular board game IP.

• Summoned Creatures: The magic system allows players to summon creatures, such as ghosts or reanimated skeletons, to fight alongside them for a limited time. These are combat pets rather than narrative companions.
  Magical/Undead

• Fragments: Found by exploring the vast environments. These are essential for unlocking new skills, armor, and weapons.
• Runes: Found through exploration and by defeating enemies. Runes are the primary method of enhancing and customizing the player's abilities.

• Lore Notes and Books: Found scattered throughout the world in ruins, camps, and settlements. These items provide written accounts of the island's history, the fall of Arthur, the nature of the Wyrdness, and personal stories of the inhabitants.
• Ancient Coins: Rare currency from the time of Arthur, hidden in ancient chests and tombs. Can be traded with specific collectors for valuable rewards.

• Dark Fantasy
• Soulslike
• Korean Folklore
• Action RPG
• Mythology
• Post-Apocalyptic

• Dark Fantasy
• Arthurian Legend (Twisted)
• Survival
• Post-Apocalyptic
• Open World Exploration
• Eldritch Horror
• Moral Ambiguity
• Body Horror
• Classless RPG

• Weapon Options (5 Types): Varies (Swords, Axes, etc.)
  Players can choose from 5 different weapon types that radically change the combat style, from heavy, armor-crushing swings to high-mobility jumping attacks. Each weapon has unique, alterable skills.
• Shield: Defensive
  One of the weapon options includes a shield, allowing for a more defensive playstyle centered on blocking and bashing to disrupt opponents.

• One-Handed Weapons: Swords, Axes, Maces
  Versatile weapons that can be used with a shield for a defensive playstyle or dual-wielded for rapid attacks. Their effectiveness is governed by the 'One-Handed' skill.
• Two-Handed Weapons: Greatswords, Battleaxes, Mauls
  Slow but powerful weapons that deal high damage and can break through enemy blocks. Governed by the 'Two-Handed' skill.
• Bows: Shortbows, Longbows
  Ranged weapons for stealthy attacks and engaging enemies from a distance. Require arrows, which can be crafted. Governed by the 'Archery' skill.
• Magic Spells: Pyromancy, Cryomancy, Electromancy
  A full magic system allows players to cast a variety of spells, from fireballs to lightning strikes. Spells have light and heavy casting options for tactical flexibility and are governed by their respective magic skills.

• Light Armor: Consists of leather and cloth sets. Offers minimal protection but allows for greater mobility and less stamina consumption when dodging. Governed by the 'Light Armor' skill.
• Heavy Armor: Consists of chainmail and plate sets. Provides the best physical protection at the cost of increased weight and stamina usage. Governed by the 'Heavy Armor' skill.
• Shields: Used in the off-hand for blocking attacks. Blocking consumes stamina. Different shield types offer varying levels of protection and stability. Governed by the 'Block' skill.

• Functional Armor Sets: Customization is primarily functional. Players mix and match different armor pieces (helmets, cuirasses, gauntlets, greaves) made from various materials (leather, iron, steel) to optimize their defensive stats. There is no cosmetic overlay/transmog system.
• Enemy-Themed Armors: Special armor sets can be unlocked by completing quests for blacksmiths, with designs themed after specific powerful enemies found in the world.

Progression is a significant departure from traditional RPGs, as there are no character levels. Instead, players strengthen their character by finding and upgrading runes, items, and crafting new gear. Each of the 5 weapon types has unique skills that can be altered to fit a player's playstyle. Progression is intrinsically tied to exploration and completing dungeons.

The game features a classless progression system. Instead of picking a class, your character's abilities are defined by the skills you use. Using a one-handed sword levels up your One-Handed skill, casting fire magic improves Pyromancy, etc. Players spend points on a constellation-like skill tree to unlock new active and passive abilities related to combat, survival, and crafting.

The game features a semi-open world structure that encourages free exploration of the collapsed world of Arsiltus. The environment is dynamic, with random enemy encounters and interactive terrain that can be used strategically in combat, such as breakable cliffs and flammable surfaces.

The game features a large open world divided into three main zones, including the starting island, the swampy region of the Forlorn Swords, and the lands surrounding the capital city of Cuanacht. The world is filled with distinct biomes, ruins, and settlements to discover.

• The Last Guardian: Playable Protagonist
  The hero of the story, tasked with a mission to find the pieces of a broken great relic to save the continent of Arsiltus.
• The Brutals: Bosses
  70 formidable and massive bosses that the player must defeat. Each Brutal has a personal tale of sorrow that the player inherits.

• The Branded (Player): Playable Protagonist
  A prisoner given a slim chance of survival on the cursed island of Avalon. The player's background and appearance are customizable, and their skills develop based on their actions.
• King Arthur: Key NPC / Spirit Guide
  The once-great king of Avalon, now a disembodied soul bound to the player. He acts as a guide and commentator, and his resurrection is a central part of the main quest.
• Caradoc: Antagonist
  A primary antagonist figure who seeks to destroy the remaining fragments of King Arthur's soul for his own purposes.
• Neante: Key NPC / Quest Giver
  An important character involved in a significant questline related to the 'Hollow Blessings' and 'The Price of Healing'.

• Main Story Quests
  A cinematic campaign that follows the Last Guardian's quest to find the pieces of the broken great relic and close the void that has consumed the continent of Arsiltus.
• Dungeons
  Optional and mandatory dungeons that must be completed to expand the world and acquire essential items and upgrades for character growth.
• Brutal Hunts
  Targeting and defeating the 70 formidable 'Brutal' bosses scattered throughout the world to progress the story and gain powerful special items.

• Main Quest
  The central storyline tasks the player with finding a cure for the Red Death plague while investigating the source of the decaying Menhirs and the encroaching Wyrdness, ultimately deciding the fate of Avalon by aiding in the resurrection of King Arthur.
• Side Quests
  Over 200 optional quests found by talking to NPCs or exploring the world. These often feature branching paths and morally grey choices that impact the narrative, providing lore and rewards.
• Exploration & Discovery
  Much of the game involves organic exploration. Discovering hidden caves, ancient tombs, and forgotten ruins often yields valuable loot, lore, and unmarked quests.

• Q: What is Relic: The First Guardian?
  A: It is a single-player, dark fantasy action RPG with Soulslike elements. It features a semi-open world, fast-paced combat, and a unique progression system without character levels.
• Q: How does progression work without levels?
  A: Instead of gaining XP, you strengthen your character by exploring the world to find and upgrade runes, items, and crafted gear. Defeating the game's 70 bosses is also essential for acquiring powerful upgrades.
• Q: What is the combat like?
  A: The combat is fast-paced and skill-based, often compared to Sekiro. The core mechanic is parrying enemy attacks to break their stamina gauge, which staggers them and allows for massive damage.
• Q: Is it an open-world game?
  A: It is described as a semi-open world. Players can adventure freely and explore, but the experience is still guided by an exciting main story.

• Q: What is Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon?
  A: It is a first-person, open-world action RPG with survival elements, set in a dark fantasy version of the Arthurian legends. It is based on the popular board game 'Tainted Grail'.
• Q: Is the game finished?
  A: Yes, the game left Early Access and had its full 1.0 release on May 23, 2025, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
• Q: How does the RPG system work?
  A: It's a classless system where you improve skills by using them. For example, fighting with a sword improves your One-Handed skill, while casting fire spells improves Pyromancy. This allows for flexible and organic character development.
• Q: Is it a difficult game?
  A: Yes, it is designed to be a challenging experience. It combines difficult, deliberate combat with demanding survival mechanics, where players must manage hunger, health, and the ever-present threat of the Wyrdness.

The UI is designed to be immersive, with minimal elements on screen during exploration. It features a compass, health/stamina/mana bars, and a quick-select menu for items and spells. The skill tree is represented as a star constellation, and a sketchbook journaling system allows for a unique 'photo mode'.

• SPECULATIVE PC SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS. As official specs are To Be Confirmed (TBC), these are hypothetical projections for a next-generation Soulslike built on Unreal Engine 5.
• Laptop Performance Note: A title like this would demand a high-performance gaming laptop for the best experience. The fast-paced, reaction-based combat requires a high and stable framerate.
• Laptop Consideration: G P U T G P: Maximum TGP for the laptop's GPU would be essential to handle the advanced graphical features, ray tracing, and maintain high framerates during boss fights.
• Laptop Consideration: Cooling Thermals: The game's visually rich world and intense combat will require a laptop with a cutting-edge cooling solution to prevent thermal throttling.
• Laptop Consideration: C P U Power Limits: A powerful multi-core mobile CPU will be critical for handling the advanced enemy AI and physics-based combat.
• Laptop Consideration: M U X Switch Optimus: A MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus is a critical feature for reducing latency and ensuring the best possible performance in a game reliant on precise timing.
• Game Name: Relic: The First Guardian

• OFFICIAL AND EXTRAPOLATED SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS for Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon (Full Release Version 1.0). This information is based on official PC specifications from GOG and Steam, adapted to the requested JSON structure. The game's official requirements target Full HD (1080p) at 30 FPS for Minimum and 60 FPS for Recommended (Ultra settings). Laptop and future-generation GPU listings are extrapolated based on performance benchmarks and community testing.
• Laptop Performance Note: Laptop models of the listed desktop GPUs require comparable performance, which is heavily dependent on the laptop's TGP (Total Graphics Power) and thermal design. While the recommended specs are not extreme, community reports indicate performance can vary, making a well-cooled laptop with a decent TGP important for a stable experience.
• Laptop Consideration: G P U T G P: Sufficient TGP for the laptop GPU is crucial, as a low-TGP variant of a recommended card may struggle to maintain a consistent 60 FPS, especially at higher settings.
• Laptop Consideration: Cooling Thermals: Good cooling is highly beneficial to prevent thermal throttling during long exploration sessions or in graphically intensive areas, which users have reported can cause performance dips.
• Laptop Consideration: C P U Power Limits: While the official CPU requirements are modest, a capable laptop CPU with adequate power ensures smooth gameplay and helps minimize stuttering, particularly when many NPCs or effects are on screen.
• Laptop Consideration: M U X Switch Optimus: A MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus is recommended to reduce latency and maximize performance, which is beneficial in this first-person RPG.
• Optimization Detail: Upscaling Tech: The game is built on the Unity engine. PCGamingWiki and user reports confirm support for NVIDIA DLSS and Unity's built-in upscaler (referred to as STP in some sources). AMD FSR is not officially implemented, but users may use driver-level solutions. Performance can be inconsistent, so using DLSS is highly recommended on supported hardware.
• Optimization Detail: Key Settings Impact: View Distance, Vegetation, and Shadow Quality are reported to have the most significant impact on performance. The game has been noted by the community and developers to have some optimization issues, so tweaking these settings is key to achieving a stable framerate.
• Game Name: Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon

• Upscaling Tech: The game is built on the Unity engine. PCGamingWiki and user reports confirm support for NVIDIA DLSS and Unity's built-in upscaler (referred to as STP in some sources). AMD FSR is not officially implemented, but users may use driver-level solutions. Performance can be inconsistent, so using DLSS is highly recommended on supported hardware.
• Key Settings Impact: View Distance, Vegetation, and Shadow Quality are reported to have the most significant impact on performance. The game has been noted by the community and developers to have some optimization issues, so tweaking these settings is key to achieving a stable framerate.

• G P U T G P: Maximum TGP for the laptop's GPU would be essential to handle the advanced graphical features, ray tracing, and maintain high framerates during boss fights.
• Cooling Thermals: The game's visually rich world and intense combat will require a laptop with a cutting-edge cooling solution to prevent thermal throttling.
• C P U Power Limits: A powerful multi-core mobile CPU will be critical for handling the advanced enemy AI and physics-based combat.
• M U X Switch Optimus: A MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus is a critical feature for reducing latency and ensuring the best possible performance in a game reliant on precise timing.

• G P U T G P: Sufficient TGP for the laptop GPU is crucial, as a low-TGP variant of a recommended card may struggle to maintain a consistent 60 FPS, especially at higher settings.
• Cooling Thermals: Good cooling is highly beneficial to prevent thermal throttling during long exploration sessions or in graphically intensive areas, which users have reported can cause performance dips.
• C P U Power Limits: While the official CPU requirements are modest, a capable laptop CPU with adequate power ensures smooth gameplay and helps minimize stuttering, particularly when many NPCs or effects are on screen.
• M U X Switch Optimus: A MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus is recommended to reduce latency and maximize performance, which is beneficial in this first-person RPG.