*Demon Subduer* is now on sale on Steam! Is it worth buying for 33 yuan?

Over the years, my feelings about domestic action games have actually been a lot like those of an old wuxia fan waiting for a sequel. I hope it brings something new, yet I worry it’s just old dreams repackaged in a new shell. Especially when I see a Metroidvania title, I always take a closer look—because this genre demands real design skill, and empty flash is exposed at a glance.

Back to the game itself, Demon Subduing Walker has officially launched on Steam, and it’s currently at its lowest price ever: 33 yuan. That’s not a high barrier, and for players willing to try something new, it definitely makes taking the first step easier.

Its worldbuilding carries a bit of that “apocalyptic mystical chronicle” flavor: the continent of Speria has fallen into eternal night because of the Shadow Rift, and players take on the role of the ancient warrior monk “Ryze,” bearing the Pillar of Phantoms to fight against the Shadow Legion. The setup may not be especially groundbreaking, but its strength lies in how complete the atmosphere feels. Ruins, hieroglyphs, chains, deserts—these elements are twisted together into something bleak and mysterious, with that old-school charm of domestic works that pulled people in through sheer atmosphere.

What really made me feel it had ideas of its own was the design of the “Pillar of Phantoms.” It isn’t just a weapon, but more like an ingenious tool of war that can attack, defend, and even help with traversal. You can use it directly to strike enemies, plant it on the ground as a defensive barrier, or even use it as a foothold to navigate terrain in creative ways; you can also kick the pillar out to smash opponents. Once this kind of design starts interacting with level layout, it becomes much easier for the game to build its own identity instead of getting stuck in the usual trio seen in similar titles: basic attacks, dodges, and jump slams.

And the “Pillar of Phantoms” also has its own independent upgrade system, growing alongside the protagonist and gradually unlocking new abilities. For Metroidvania players, that kind of progression curve is crucial—it determines whether exploration feels rewarding and whether backtracking has any real sense of purpose.

Beyond nostalgia, what I care more about is whether the map feels truly alive. Based on the information currently available, this game doesn’t just feature conventional 2D side-scrolling combat maps, but also includes some 3D RPG-style areas; on top of that, there are multiple continents to explore, and the underground catacombs of Crescent Isle hide their own legendary tales. At least from this framework, the developers don’t seem interested in making just a single linear path to the end, but rather in encouraging players to linger in the world a little longer.

But looking at it calmly, Demon Subduing Walker at 33 yuan feels more like a game you judge based on its ideas. If you already love Metroidvanias and are willing to pay for fresh mechanics and strong visual atmosphere, then this price point makes it worth a look; if all you want is top-tier combat feel and industrial-level polish, then it’s still better to watch the trailers and check the store page footage before deciding whether to buy. After all, the biggest fear with domestic games is not a lack of ambition, but having spirit without being able to bring it fully to life.

I’m still willing to give a game like this a bit of patience. Because whether it’s domestic wuxia or fantasy, what’s truly been lacking is never slogans of nostalgia, but the willingness to carefully refine every move and every detail. Demon Subduing Walker has at least shown me that it wants to follow its own path.