Rise of Rebellion is an odd and unique game. It is difficult to explain the story, largely because there is barely one to reference. According to the official description, the player takes on the role of a warrior of Tella who is fighting to reclaim their homeland in a fantasy realm filled with mythical creatures and gods where dragons once ruled.
No Narrative, No Substance
The game lacks any introductory sequence or narrative context. It begins with the player character waking up in a room, stepping outside, and immediately engaging in combat against various enemies who appear to be invaders or captors. The game also lacks voice acting entirely, and music is sparse. It is only present during boss encounters, and even then, several tracks are reused throughout the game’s ten bosses. The focus here is clearly on gameplay. While not as refined or polished as Elden Ring, it does contain some notable strengths.
Gameplay in Rise of Rebellion blends mechanics from action RPGs like Final Fantasy XVI and Soulslike titles. Combat is fast-paced and challenging, with access to a variety of magical abilities. These include stomping the ground to deal area damage and casting a powerful projectile that affects enemy health and stamina. This ability becomes even more effective when enemies are out of stamina and summons a monolith to strike them. Resting at designated rest points respawns all enemies, adding to the challenge. Outside of difficulty and learning curve, however, the Soulslike comparison becomes less applicable.
A Fluid But Frustrating Gameplay Experience
Players do not lose anything upon death, there is a limited selection of weapons, and the leveling system is unusually constrained. Progression is tied to a skill tree that requires rare items dropped by defeated enemies. These items are difficult to locate or grind, making progression inconsistent. It is also unclear whether these items drop randomly or follow fixed conditions.
The parrying system is particularly frustrating. Rather than using a dedicated button or timed block, players must hold the left bumper and angle the analog stick in the direction of the attack. This method is unintuitive, frequently unreliable, and difficult to master. Despite these issues, the game is not a complete Soulslike, and it does allow for minor adjustments. Players can reduce enemy speed and parrying difficulty, although these are the only difficulty options provided. While it offers a slight reprieve, it does not make the experience significantly more accessible. Boss encounters are the highlight of Rise of Rebellion. These battles are exceptionally difficult, particularly at default settings, but they are also the most well-designed elements of the game. Each boss features unique abilities and engaging movesets, with some standing out more than others. They are among the strongest components of the experience.
Final Thoughts
With all of that in mind, Rise of Rebellion is difficult to recommend to casual players or even to those who have completed standard Soulslike games. It functions more like a technical showcase, severely lacking content than a fully realized game. Nevertheless, it may appeal to dedicated fans of the genre who prioritize combat mechanics and boss encounters above all else. At a price of ten dollars, it could be considered worthwhile for those specific players.
The Review
Rise of Rebellion
Rise of Rebellion is difficult to recommend to casual players or even to those who have completed standard Soulslike games. It functions more like a technical showcase, severely lacking content than a fully realized game. Nevertheless, it may appeal to dedicated fans of the genre who prioritize combat mechanics and boss encounters above all else.
PROS
- Amazing But tough bosses
- Fun combat
CONS
- No story or voice acting
- Most of the game feels incomplete
