Yaoling: Mythical Journey Early Access Preview

If you’ve been a long-time fan of games that showcase adorable yet deadly creatures that you can capture and train, you’re in some nostalgic tidbits with Yaoling: Mythical Journey. A few might assume that the developers are trying to capture the wild magic of finding awe-inspiring creatures that gamers fell in love with in the late 90s, but Rayka Studio tries to stand out.

Does it succeed in doing so? Well, the game’s battle system, art direction, and world-building are here to keep your heart. But its mundane storytelling with a lack of connection between its Yaolings are a few things that leave a bitter aftertaste. There’s a lot to look forward to here, but certain things can be much more enticing.

Yaoling: Mythical Journey releases on 16 July 2024 on PC.

Yaoling: Mythical Journey You’ve Probably Taken Before

When I first came across Yaoling: Mythical Journey, two things stood out – how unique its characters and creatures looked, and how nonchalantly each pixel blended into different colors. Built on Unity, the game from its very beginning felt like the devs kept polish and quality in mind.

For the most part, the game’s appeal felt unique until I started noticing patterns. “Schools” that would act as boss arenas. A shared ambition among several NPCs to become the best Yaoling Master.

And, of course, villages in danger that need the help of a young, brave hero. The tropes would practically write themselves and that’s what lowered my expectations from the narrative a little.

But, beyond the predictable storytelling, Yaoling: Mythical Journey keeps the spark in its characters alive by crafting distinct beasts and creatures. The game starts by offering you an option to choose from three starter Yaolings. Each specializes in three unique sets of abilities. All extremely adorable.

Right after making my pick – Bungo, a furry Yaoling who wields a sword – I was off to explore the wild. Years of Pokémon gameplay taught me that I needed to be careful while walking or running through tall grass (so, I did!).

I appreciated how my starter Yaoling followed me around throughout the different areas of the map. However, I never felt a similar connection with another Yaoling, and they merely felt like placeholders for the battles to come.

Get Ready to Be Charmed by Charms

The most impressive part about Yaoling: Mythical Journey is a card-esque mechanic that completely changes how you experience the game. These are called “charms” and they look like finely sketched-out cards that give you a special gameplay ability.

Some help you heal your Yaolings, others can help you deal fire, ice, and different kinds of elemental damage. Most importantly, they can also help you capture Yaolings outside of battle so they can be added to your party. Then, your party can go against another squad or a series of other Yaolings.

The battle system in Yaoling: Mythical Journey is automated, which may seem like it takes the effort or fun out of it, but that’s simply not true. Each battle felt special to me, and I knew my strategy and Yaoling placement paid off when I watched these fluffy beings use swords, arrows, and sometimes brute strength against opponents.

I wish this felt a bit more challenging as I progressed through the game, but that just wasn’t the case. Even the first boss fight felt simple because I had either captured Yaolings who were already powerful enough or trained them to be strong competitors.

Instead of avoiding battles, I would actively engage in new challenges just for the sheer enjoyment of it. Animations felt fluid, AI worked better than expected and the excitement of acquiring new Yaolings stayed consistent.

Traversing Through a World Within Worlds

When you open the game’s map and take a glimpse of all the places you can explore, there’s a transparent message here. Several different terrains to explore, unique types of Yaoling to battle and capture, and different shrine-like structures to unlock so you can teleport through a portal.

As much as I admired looking at the map, it rarely felt useful as most of the job was done by the mini-map towards the top-right corner of the screen. Perhaps the game’s complete version can have a revamped navigation system that makes traversal a bit simpler.

Alternatively, exploring the world of Yaoling: Mythical Journey always felt like an adventure that could feel more enjoyable for someone who would let go of a map altogether.

Overall, Yaoling: Mythical Journey’s appeal is a safe bet as it tackles a genre that is close to the hearts of many. Catching and battling these fluffy beings feels rewarding and there’s a lot of content players can look forward to. At the same time, expect little to no surprises from its mostly linear storyline.