General Gaming Trek to Yomi (PC/PlayStation consoles/Xbox consoles)- reviews from OpenCritic posted

[Commissar SFLUFAN]

 

[Ghost_MH]

I love the look of this. We don't get enough 3d black and white games.

[Bloodporne]

[legend]

Looks promising.

[Bloodporne]

@skillzdadirecta this might be up your alley based on some of our convos about martial arts flicks etc. 

[skillzdadirecta]

25 minutes ago, Bloodporne said:

@skillzdadirecta this might be up your alley based on some of our convos about martial arts flicks etc. 

Oh definitely! Thanks for putting me up on this. Day one purchase for me just on that little snippet alone. Someone on that dev team is a HUGE Kurosawa fan.

[Bloodporne]

22 minutes ago, skillzdadirecta said:

Oh definitely! Thanks for putting me up on this. Day one purchase for me just on that little snippet alone. Someone on that dev team is a HUGE Kurosawa fan.

Yup. That and the combat scenes reminded me of Sword of Doom immediately 

[Brian]

 

@Ghost_MH

@skillzdadirecta

@Bloodporne

@legend

[Bloodporne]

On 4/5/2022 at 10:27 AM, ManUtdRedDevils said:

 

@Ghost_MH

@skillzdadirecta

@Bloodporne

@legend

Combat looks a bit simplistic but I'm curious to see how it actually plays hands-on because the earlier preview showed a lot of different weapons like bows, rifles and so on. Hope it's one of those easy to jump into an dhard to master games.

[skillzdadirecta]

On 4/5/2022 at 7:27 AM, ManUtdRedDevils said:

 

@Ghost_MH

@skillzdadirecta

@Bloodporne

@legend

Yeah I watched this yesterday.  All over this game.

[Commissar SFLUFAN]

 

[Keyser_Soze]

Shots fired at Sonic

[Bloodporne]

On 4/20/2022 at 10:08 PM, Commissar SFLUFAN said:

 

[Brian]

 

[Keyser_Soze]

Looking like game pass scores!

[stepee]

lol yep this looks like a game pass ass game so it’s a good thing that it’s on gamepass. Def the sorta thing that I wanted the xsx in my room for to lay in bed and check out later today.

[Brian]

 

[ARZ]

Def going to play this one.

Sort of funny though, guys who get their head cut off still let out the guttural scream, lol

[stepee]

On one hand the game is more impressive visually and in production values and just general scope than I thought, mainly I didn’t realize that there was full 3D movement for exploration and it wasn’t just side scrolling.

 

On the other hand holy shit is the combat laughable lol.

 

 

[Xbob42]

I think I like this a lot more than Ghost of Tsushima.

 

Yeah, combat's a bit jank, but it's also perfectly serviceable.

 

But goddamn it nails the samurai movie aesthetic and pacing way, way better than Tsushima, which just to me felt like a bloated Ubisoft open world game with a samurai movie theme.

 

And I don't even like samurai movies! But some of these fixed camera shots are really, really good and sell the atmosphere/tension very well, so I'm far more invested.

[stepee]

22 minutes ago, Xbob42 said:

I think I like this a lot more than Ghost of Tsushima.

 

Yeah, combat's a bit jank, but it's also perfectly serviceable.

 

But goddamn it nails the samurai movie aesthetic and pacing way, way better than Tsushima, which just to me felt like a bloated Ubisoft open world game with a samurai movie theme.

 

And I don't even like samurai movies! But some of these fixed camera shots are really, really good and sell the atmosphere/tension very well, so I'm far more invested.

 

They seem too different compare besides the samurai thing and this whole game will be over before the opening of Ghosts, just seem too wildly different to compare.

 

But idk if I would call the combat serviceable beyond the fact that it technically functions. The parrying especially feels baaaaad. There is zero weight to anything, it feels like an Atari game or something. 
 

But yeah the presentation is fucking killer and it’s only 5 hours so it’ll end before the combat bores me too much so ya I’ll beat it for the story/atmosphere.

[Xbob42]

I dunno, "besides the samurai thing" is a big ask from two games basically built and sold on their samurai movie aesthetic design.

 

Yeah, the parry's a little weird but I dunno, not having the same issue you're describing. I've thought the combat was perfectly fine for the most part. Unlocking new abilities and combos on a regular basis. I think my main complaint about the parry is the weird slow motion they add to it, just makes it feel weird. Would rather it just be at full speed.

[stepee]

I just don’t think they are trying to imitate the same style of samurai movie even. Ghosts is definitely trying to present itself as something more modern. Anyway, I disagree completely about Ghosts, I think it felt like a more focused ubi game!

[skillzdadirecta]

I played the first two chapters of this. Decent fun... like a modern day take on 16bit Side scrollers. There's a lot mor exploration here than I would have thought. Should be a short fun romp.

[Xbob42]

6 hours ago, stepee said:

I just don’t think they are trying to imitate the same style of samurai movie even. Ghosts is definitely trying to present itself as something more modern. Anyway, I disagree completely about Ghosts, I think it felt like a more focused ubi game!

 

See I think a "more focused Ubisoft game" just ends up being "a bad action game." 

[Commissar SFLUFAN]

Game Information

Game Title: Trek to Yomi

 

Platforms:

• Xbox Series X/S (May 5, 2022)
• PlayStation 5 (May 5, 2022)
• PlayStation 4 (May 5, 2022)
• PC (May 5, 2022)
• Xbox One (May 5, 2022)

 

Developers: Flying Wild Hog, Leonard Menchiari

Publisher: Devolver Digital

 

Review Aggregator:

OpenCritic - 74 average - 60% recommended

 

Critic Reviews

GamingTrend - 95 / 100

Quote

Trek to Yomi is a beautifully crafted experience. From your first steps into the game's world to your last players will be constantly enthralled by the tense combat, tightly written story, and exquisite art direction. It is rare that a game is released that thoroughly wows you with its graphics, atmosphere, and creativity and Trek to Yomi succeeds in all three departments. It is an experience that I highly recommend to all players.

Niche Gamer - 9.5 / 10

Quote

So many games have tried to present a cinematic experience but the vast majority have no idea what they’re talking about. Trek to Yomi is one of those rare games that not only mesmerizes with its finesse and all-encompassing presentation, it manages to leave an impression on you just like Kurosawa’s films did. Trek to Yomi receives my highest recommendation.

Checkpoint Gaming - 9 / 10

Quote

Trek to Yomi is, for me, just shy of a veritable masterpiece. Looking at it purely subjectively, I think this game is bloody brilliant, and certainly one of the finest non-AAA games I have played in a long time. Rich combat, striking visuals, a gritty narrative, and dynamic audio experiences blend together to make this game a true stand out of 2022 so far. Unfortunately, I feel the hyper-stylised tone and fixed Japanese language setting may prove a turn off for some and cause this game to be overlooked. However, if you have even a passing interest in Japanese culture, cinema, or just plain solid gameplay, then I implore you to give Trek to Yomi a look.

Gaming Nexus - 9 / 10

Quote

Trek To Yomi is graphically and audibly amazing. The story is rich and full with a lot of history. If you want to sink a few hours into a beat-em-up with a lot of depth and lots to do, you should definitely play this. I hope you choose the right path for you on your Trek to Yomi, but you definitely shouldn't pass up this amazing experience.

PSX Brasil - Portuguese - 90 / 100

Quote

Trek to Yomi honors all its best references and the result is an aesthetically brilliant game, with a solid combat system (even if it may seem repetitive in some parts), a safe exploration model and a narrative cadence faithful to the great works of the genre. As a whole, a worthy and memorable experience.

Lords Of Gaming - 8.8 / 10

Quote

If you love the history of the Samurai or enjoy the black and white films of the 1950s. Then Trek To Yomi is an absolute must-play. With the cinematic delivery of its narrative, in a short and concise amount of time. Combined with challenging and rewarding combat, Flying Wild Hog has delivered on potentially one of the best indie titles of 2022.

Impulsegamer - 4.3 / 5

Quote

Trek to Yomi is Flying Wild Hog's best game. Unlike Shadow Warrior 3, the studio's first title in 2022 that was a huge step backward, Trek to Yomi is aimed at a niche audience. It's short, violent, and poetic. The one-hit kill Kensei mode that's unlocked after finishing the game for the first time also adds more replay value for the game while creating the potential for attracting hardcore gamers and speedrunners. The game can be enjoyed by many, but a very small group of people will hold on to it for a very long time. That's why Trek to Yomi has the chance to become a cult title.

COGconnected - 85 / 100

Quote

Taken as a whole, Trek to Yomi is an impressive homage to classic Japanese action films. It looks and sounds incredible, with art direction and music that are impeccably authentic to both history and cinema. As an action game, Trek to Yomi is engaging but a bit lacking in variety and depth, with controls and animations less polished than its visuals. Trek to Yomi is a fascinating and altogether unique experience, worth playing if you’re a fan of great samurai films or simply enjoy new variations on the action game formula.

GameBlast - Portuguese - 8.5 / 10

Quote

Trek to Yomi is a fitting tribute to a cinematic genre in video game form. Movie fans will be happy to see beautiful photography and stunning scenery. Action game fans, on the other hand, have solid gameplay at their disposal, despite minor flaws in the mechanics, with a fair degree of challenge and a seductive replay factor.

GameSpace - 8.5 / 10

Quote

Actually playing Trek to Yomi is not as much fun as just looking at it. Combat turns the game's 3D world into 2D, forcing you to fight on a single axis. You can move left or right, rotate to collide with enemies, attack or block, and that's pretty much it. Those expecting a super-difficult task might be disappointed, but with the developers going down the path of getting attention rather than creating a new Sifu and Devolver Digital doing the publishing duties, it's certainly going to be an interesting project nonetheless. I think Wild Flying Hog has done an excellent job of helping the player go from a beginner swordsman to an experienced samurai.

Generación Xbox - Spanish - 8.5 / 10

Quote

Trek to Yomi takes us to the samurai era with a captivating story and an artistic section worthy of the best movies. Join Hiroki and finish your destiny.

MKAU Gaming - 8.5 / 10

Quote

As cliche and tropey as these types of revengeful samurai stories are and it is quite that in the beginning, once you peel the initial layer off it is actually quite a different story. In saying that, don’t we just love a traditional samurai story, especially with a mythological twist when presented in a classic Japanese arthouse style? You can’t help but eat it up over and over again as you bathe in these Japanese cultural elements all married together.

PlayStation Universe - 8.5 / 10

Quote

Short but ever-so-sweet, Trek to Yomi is a pretty linear affair that respects your time. The combat is nuanced, evolves over time and is entertaining to learn. Small bursts of exploration are rewarded with collectables and upgrades but your main path is never obscured. It's cinematically beautiful and what's done with perspective and setting up each scene is really unique. Trek to Yomi is unlike anything else I have played recently, it's not bloated, pure and I appreciate that a lot.

WayTooManyGames - 8.5 / 10

Quote

Know what to expect from Trek to Yomi before purchasing it. I had a great time with it, but that’s because I knew this wasn’t going to be a high-octane, indie equivalent of Ghost of Tsushima or Sekiro. This is the closest to a Kurosawa game we’ll probably ever get. Not only due to its phenomenal presentation, but also due to its emphasis on storytelling and world building, instead of nonstop action and ludicrous combos. Combat sections were more sparse and sluggish than anticipated, but that’s fine since it’s so easy to sink into the game’s world.

Rectify Gaming - 8.2 / 10

Quote

"Trek to Yomis’ love for the genre and cinematic ambition is its best feature and shines a light on its flaws. This is a tale of honor and blood that is worth experiencing."

The Games Machine - Italian - 8.2 / 10

Quote

Trek to Yomi is a solid and well-executed trip to a black-and-white tale of swords and souls, where a simple but satisfying gameplay is paired with a charming narrative that offers three different endings. Enemy and setting variety could be better, but overall this is a game worthy of your time.

Atomix - Spanish - 80 / 100

Quote

Trek to Yomi is an amazing looking game that totally recreates the feeling of an Akira Kurosawa's samurai movie, but it lacks a little bit of gameplay depth and a more sophisticated level design.

GGRecon - 8 / 10

Quote

Trek to Yomi presents its world through the lens of classic Japanese cinema, reinforcing its thematic exploration of self-reflection and overcoming failure with masterful presentation and design to form a captivating experience. Combat presents a satisfying learning curve that rewards carefully studying your opponents and mastering the moves in your arsenal, and while overall it can falter at times due to uneven pacing, it's well worth undertaking the trek yourself.

GameSpew - 8 / 10

Quote

A short but sweet adventure, you might replay Trek to Yomi to collect all of its collectibles and upgrades, perhaps even on a harder difficulty to test your skills. It has multiple endings to discover, too. And so for its modest price it’s easy to recommend to action adventure fans, especially if they also love samurai movies. Its stunning presentation is just the icing on the cake.

Gamepur - 8 / 10

Quote

Trek to Yomi is a beautiful homage to a specific genre of old Japanese cinema and the artists who created those films. While occasionally too rigid in its dedication to paying tribute, a combat system with enough depth to satisfy most people and scenery worthy of its own canvas at every turn makes it a journey worth taking.

Gamer Escape - 8 / 10

Quote

Trek to Yomi is a game with a voice and a vision. The title takes every liberty to adhere to its inspirations without ever feeling like a film masquerading as a game, and the reverence the development team has for that era of Japanese films can be felt in every aspect of the experience.

 

The dynamic camera, the gorgeously realized environments, and the personal, character-driven narrative work in tandem to deliver a game that’s wholly unique. It might not be an easy recommendation based purely on gameplay alone, but it’s certainly easy to recommend for just about everything else.

 

Hardcore Gamer - 4 / 5

Quote

While it could stand to be longer, if only to deliver more when it come to some of its more ambitious elements, Trek to Yomi is an amazing action game that makes terrific use of its cinematic presentation, using Kurosawa vibes to impact both the gameplay and visuals in clever ways.

Hey Poor Player - 4 / 5

Quote

Having previously gobbled up the great Ghost of Tsushima, I was eager to find another love letter to Kurosawa in Trek to Yomi. On an aesthetic level, my expectations were completely blown out of the water — the famed filmmaker has been honored like never before. When it comes to gameplay, I’m completely satisfied, my desire for another Way of the Samurai fulfilled, but I can see someone who skipped this era of gaming less enthused. If samurai games of yesteryear were your thing, Trek to Yomi is absolutely worth side-scroll slicing your way through the belly of the underworld for.

Hobby Consolas - Spanish - 80 / 100

Quote

The rigorous black and white style, and the combat system based on "parries" and counterattacks make Trek To Yomi the closest experience to "playing" a samurai movie. It's short, but replayable.

Last Word on Gaming - 8 / 10

Quote

Even with criticisms regarding combat, Trek to Yomi is far from a bad place. It’s apparent that Flying Wild Hog took this game as a labor of love, putting so much heart and character into it. Anyone that enjoys the samurai film genre, Japanese history, or less traditional games, in general, would be wise to give this a shot. I played this game on Xbox Series S via Game Pass, though it is available on other platforms.

 

It can also be completed in anywhere from 5 to 6 hours, meaning that it won’t overstay its welcome. If you have an afternoon to spare, after reading our Trek to Yomi review, steel yourself and set forth on a journey you may never forget.

 

PCMag - 4 / 5

Quote

Featuring outstanding cinematic presentation, first-rate voice performances, and superb sound design, Trek to Yomi wraps Akira Kurosawa-like flair around its fun, side-scrolling samurai battles.

PlayStation LifeStyle - 8 / 10

Quote

Trek to Yomi is a challenging, relatively quick trip to the past that is sure to entertain fans of old samurai films. The mechanics are easy to pick up, but difficult to master. The story is engaging, and surprisingly branches with different endings. With a campaign length of around 5 – 7 hours for most players and priced right at $19.99, this is a game that doesn’t overstay its welcome. Repeating sections is not easy with no real save management, and the 2D combat may not appeal to everyone, but it’s hard to ignore the authentic look and feel that such a design choice adds to Trek to Yomi. If you’ve got a day or two to spare, this is one to not overlook.

Saving Content - 4 / 5

Quote

Small issues aside, Trek to Yomi is a lovingly crafted homage to the greats of Japanese cinema, taking the elements so loved by fans of the genre and stretching the limits of what was possible in it through the use of video games as a medium. It is one of the most visually striking games I have played in years, with a beautiful soundtrack and combat that becomes robust over time and is just challenging enough to stay fun and rewarding throughout. The feeling of realizing you’re capable of cutting your way through ten enemies on one screen when just an hour ago you were struggling against dealing with two-to-three at a time is both energizing and empowering, and the momentum from this propels you ever forward through to the game’s satisfying conclusion. Trek to Yomi is a great action game that weighs in at a near perfect length, and in my book it’s one of this year’s must plays.

Seasoned Gaming - 8 / 10

Quote

Tight gameplay, beautiful cinematography, and the yells of my slain foes are only a few parts of what makes this game incredibly enthralling.

Shacknews - 8 / 10

Quote

Fans of Kurosawa films or of Japanese samurai movies in general will dig Trek to Yomi. Anyone with even a passing curiosity for this genre should absolutely check this out. Trek to Yomi aims high and proves to be as sharp as Hiroki's blade.

Siliconera - 8 / 10

Quote

Trek to Yomi, however, is one game very well captured by its trailers. They ask the prospective player, “Do you want to journey through a beautifully realized action-game homage to the chambara samurai films of the 1950s and 60s?” And if your answer to that question after viewing one of the many trailers out now is “Yes” …well, there you go.

Softpedia - 8 / 10

Quote

Trek to Yomi makes a great first impression. The black and white, combined with the first uses of the combat system, suggests an experience that will allow players to step into the sandals of a samurai. The story might not be extraordinary but there’s enough sentiment in it to keep players engaged.

The Independent - 8 / 10

Quote

Trek to Yomi is a compelling enough story that makes strong use of cinematic techniques to tell a samurai tale in a novel way. Its approach could easily be imagined on the silver screen but its interactive medium makes for a compelling combat-heavy side scroller with enough mechanical depth to warrant multiple playthroughs.

The Outerhaven Productions - 4 / 5

Quote

A masterful love letter to the films of Akira Kurosawa. Trek to Yomi’s inspirations are clear. It handles those inspirations with love and care. Ultimately standing on its own two feet as something unique in the current gaming space. Above all else, it is extremely fun to play!

TrueAchievements - 8 / 10

Quote

The solid and gratifying combat system is perhaps not fully explored, but any mistake in Trek to Yomi is whisked away by its brisk pace complemented by a great artistic vision. Trek to Yomi is a katana-sharp experience that impresses with its flashy skills — use the joyous time it gives you well.

Try Hard Guides - 8 / 10

Quote

Trek to Yomi is arguably one of the most beautifully staged games this year. While the fighting is simple and repetitive, it’s very difficult to master some of the harder difficulties. Like the main character, the player will need to find their balance as they venture forward, encountering all the demons and monsters that this game has to offer.

Geek Culture - 7.6 / 10

Quote

A cinematic experience that is spectacular visually, Trek to Yomi falters when it comes to keeping a straight story, with the combat being both a friend and foe.

33bits - Spanish - 75 / 100

Quote

Trek to Yomi is a 2.5D hack 'n' slash that will take us to feudal Japan in a story of samurais, love, revenge and duty. All this with a cinematographic treatment of the filmmaker Akira Kurosawa that is reflected in the game with an impressive audiovisual section. The gameplay, however, does not reach the same levels of quality, and it is possible that we will notice some repetition at times, although the game is still remarkable.

But Why Tho? - 7.5 / 10

Quote

Trek to Yomi raises the bar high for historical accuracy. It’s clear how hard the developers worked to make this game feel like an act of love and admiration for the Edo period of Japan. However, the well-written story, great voice acting, and beautiful setpieces are held back by the combat. For a substantial part of the game, swordfights feel stale. Especially with little use for combos which are given a big emphasis via unlocks. If the combat was given the attention that every other facet of this game got, Trek to Yomi would have been a big contender for my Game of the Year.

Capsule Computers - 7.5 / 10

Quote

Trek to Yomi has an astonishing film-like presentation that pays homage to Akira Kurosawa's samurai movies. Unfortunately, the gameplay fails to match its audio and visual excellence.

SECTOR.sk - Slovak - 7.5 / 10

Quote

Trek to Yomi is a trip to historic Japan in the style of Kurosawa movies. The unique monochrome look will immerse you in the game, and the fights are dynamic and realistic. You will reach the endinf really soon, but the game will leave a good impression. In Game Pass, this is a clear choice that you should not miss.

TechRaptor - 7.5 / 10

Quote

A striking visual style and stylish presentation helps make Trek To Yomi a memorable journey through hell, even when the story and gameplay remain familiar and predictable.

XboxEra - 7.5 / 10

Quote

All in all, the game is impressive and an apt tribute to its cinematic roots.  Blood spurts satisfyingly as you strike enemies down, burning arrows soar overhead ominously and supernatural sections are sufficiently eerie yet intriguing.  Personally, I found certain sections of combat to be punishingly tricky due to the lack of nearby save points so I would recommend playing through using the Cinematic difficulty if you want a relaxed experience.

Gamersky - Chinese - 7.3 / 10

Quote

Trek to Yomi uses black and white graphic style and pure cold weapon combat to create a unique experience of sword and blade.

IGN Italy - Italian - 7.2 / 10

Quote

Aesthetically well-finished but not always effective in its gameplay, Trek to Yomi is an adventure on the whole interesting and worth playing.

AusGamers - 7 / 10

Quote

) The studio has even gone to length to include not just a film grain overlay, but things like audio crackling, film burn and scratches as well as oddities in editing and the like.

ComingSoon.net - 7 / 10

Quote

Trek to Yomi’s gameplay woes — as well as the stunning lack of a chapter select feature — drag the experience down and mean that its swordplay is not nearly as sharp as its presentation.

Destructoid - 7 / 10

Quote

Solid and definitely have an audience. There could be some hard-to-ignore faults, but the experience is fun.

EIP Gaming - 7 / 10

Quote

Trek to Yomi is a beautiful game that gives you a truly cinematic experience. While short-lived, it is worth playing through the game to gain the experience of being a Samurai back during an era where they were prominent.

Easy Allies - 7 / 10

Quote

Trek to Yomi could use more variety and story development, but its cinematic presentation scratches a very specific itch for fans of classic samurai films.

Fun Factor - Portuguese - 7 / 10

Quote

Trek to Yomi is an incredibly beautiful tribute to old school Samurai movies, with some gorgeous cinematography, but unfortunately held back by an uneven and sometimes wonky combat system.

Game Revolution - 7 / 10

Quote

Trek to Yomi is a fun enough five hours for the money. I wasn’t expecting Ghost of Tsushima for $19.99, so I wasn’t disappointed with what I got. However, I’m a big weeb, love Kurosawa, and think katanas are cool. I’m not sure if those unfamiliar with the design principle behind the game will understand where it’s coming from. It might serve as a gateway drug to Japanese cinema for some, but I think many people will just be wondering why it’s in black and white instead of color. Overall, it’s like a samurai with a dull sword: flashy, but lacking the razor edge needed to cut its way through the shadow of its contemporaries.

GameSkinny - 7 / 10

Quote

Trek to Yomi is a gorgeous samurai adventure with satisfying 2D action and some unfortunately frustrating quirks

Gameblog - French - 7 / 10

Quote

Trek to Yomi is a gorgeous 2.5D action game that pays a vibrant tribute to the films of Akira Kurosawa with an absolutely stunning and unique cinematic aesthetic. Unfortunately, the combat is not as good as we would have like due to a lack of feeling and precision during the fights.

IGN - 7 / 10

Quote

Trek to Yomi absolutely nails the samurai aesthetic in a satisfying but modest adventure.

IGN Spain - Spanish - 7 / 10

Quote

Menchiari and the Polish division of Flying Wild Hog manage to offer a very personal experience, a tribute to the samurai cinema of the last century that will delight all those who enjoyed films like Yojimbo at the time and that could well work as a sequel to Rashômon.

Press Start - 7 / 10

Quote

As an homage to Akira Kurosawa's contributions to Japanese cinema, Trek to Yomi is an unparalleled adventure to the shores of hell and back that meticulously encapsulates and delivers an experience through his lens. It's when you look behind its eyes that you discover the game's soul is missing in a disappointing case where a wellspring of style and authenticity is anchored by a sad lack of substance.

Prima Games - 7 / 10

Quote

It’s a fascinating game that has a little more of a brain compared to its peers, but it is admittedly missing a wow factor or compelling hook to really drive the experience home

Push Square - 7 / 10

Quote

Trek to Yomi is a decent samurai action game, elevated greatly by its superb presentation. Clocking in at only a few hours, this is a brief but ultimately satisfying tale, stitched together by some simple but very effective environmental design, and a combat system that rewards careful play. It's not quite side-scrolling Ghost of Tsushima, but it is an impressively atmospheric love letter to samurai cinema.

Spaziogames - Italian - 7 / 10

Quote

Trek to Yomi is a story of loss, honour and revenge. Despite some technical issues and a combat system with unbalanced combos, it's undoubtedly a game suited for all feudal Japan fans.

VideoGamer - 7 / 10

Quote

Not that this is something that has to be endured. The underworld may be outglowed by the freaky fogs above, but so what?

WhatIfGaming - 7 / 10

Quote

Trek to Yomi is a stunning game, that goes above and beyond to pay homage to one of cinema’s greatest. It doesn’t shy away from depicting the brutality of war and each frame is full of details to create a grounded, and beautiful world. Despite its impeccable presentation, Trek to Yomi’s combat, and uneven boss fights get in the way of true greatness. It’s still worth experiencing for its visuals, and audio alone, with some caveats attached when it comes to gameplay.

cublikefoot - 7 / 10

Quote

Trek to Yomi is about as authentic as they come. The lighting, the camera angles – the aesthetic is all there and is matched with some equally nice combat that has a surprising amount of depth to it.

New Game Network - 68 / 100

Quote

Trek to Yomi is a visual masterpiece with a solid story, unfortunately let down by its gameplay. Whilst there are some enjoyable elements, it doesn't hold up when compared to numerous recently released peers that do samurai combat better.

Game Informer - 6.8 / 10

Quote

Trek to Yomi looks and feels noticeably outdated for such an aesthetically pleasing game. And its archaic gameplay can’t be completely covered up by its artistic black-and-white filter. Trek to Yomi tried to reach the heights of lauded Japanese filmmaking, but unfortunately, it falls almost as flat as its 2D combat plane.

Video Chums - 6.7 / 10

Quote

Trek to Yomi is an undoubtedly beautiful game that will constantly make you want to take screenshots. It's just too bad that its gameplay is as simplistic and repetitive as it is because it ends up feeling like a chore to play after a while.

Stevivor - 6.5 / 10

Quote

Fans of Japanese culture and Kurosawa’s films may be more forgiving of Trek to Yomi than I, but the repetitive nature of its gameplay loop and overall lack of diversity made me pine for the Dark Souls playthrough I’m currently going through. It’s not one I’d enthusiastically recommend to players, but the silver lining here of course is that it’s part of Xbox Game Pass at launch, so many of you will be able to try it for yourself with no skin off your backs.

VGChartz - 6.5 / 10

Quote

Artistically and thematically, it hits all the right notes, and conjures memories of Kurosawa and Mifune. However, if you prefer deep, diverse gameplay to art and story, you might find yourself only partially satisfied.

Digital Trends - 3 / 5

Quote

Slicing enemies in Trek to Yomi can be worked down to a science, but its story and the development of its main character are what made me want to see the game through to its end.

EGM - 6 / 10

Quote

Trek to Yomi is one of the most visually striking games to launch in a while, delivering on the promise that a samurai game can truly capture the look and feel of classic Japanese cinema. Unfortunately, good looks can only get you so far, as the gameplay and story don't quite live up to the standards set by its art direction. But if you are in the mood for a samurai game, you could do worse than Trek to Yomi.

GameGrin - 6 / 10

Quote

Although the game is still a good experience, every enjoyable aspect was brought with a caveat that diminished my enjoyment somewhat. It's a great idea, but its execution was not so much.

GamesHub - 3 / 5

Quote

Despite being an undeniably beautiful piece of work, its identity as a weapon combat game lacks edge. I’m glad I stuck with it until the end – some of the late-game setpieces are certainly a sight to behold – but I left Trek to Yomi in a hungry search for something else that would give me the inherent satisfaction that comes from feeling the impact and hearing the sound of crossing blades.

GamesRadar+ - 3 / 5

Quote

In its visuals and audio, Trek to Yomi nails its brief to create an Akira Kurosawa-inspired samurai adventure. Its interactive elements, however, along with its story, are all too ordinary and rarely combine to heighten the atmosphere or create suspense. Worth a try for the sightseeing perhaps, but don't expect it to cut deep.

The Beta Network - 6 / 10

Quote

Trek To Yomi may have a great narrative and an excellent visual design, however the stiff combat mechanics and tedious exploration sections may quickly diminish any desire to see the game through to the end. Despite having great potential, Trek To Yomi fails to deliver and instead becomes a very lackluster experience!

Twinfinite - 3 / 5

Quote

Trek to Yomi feels like a victim of its own cinematic inspirations and artistic ambitions. While satisfying at times, the combat is ultimately pretty one-note and begins to outstay its welcome by the time you’ve reached the end of Hiroki’s journey. I’m a sucker for artistically driven indie experiences, but there’s got to be some strong gameplay forming a foundation for it, and I can’t say I overly enjoyed my time accompanying Hiroki on his quest for vengeance.

Explosion Network - 5.5 / 10

Quote

Visually, Trek To Yomi is a cinematic samurai action game like nothing else, while playing it is one of the blandest action games of the year.

GameSpot - 5 / 10

Quote

Trek to Yomi oozes style by evoking the legendary samurai flicks of Akira Kurosawa, but its stilted combat lacks the substance to make this a classic in itself.

Gfinity - 5 / 10

Quote

Trek to Yomi is a reverent homage to Kurosawa and samurai cinema that, while effortlessly stylish, only attempts to get weird with it on a superficial level.

Metro GameCentral - 4 / 10

Quote

The attempts to mirror the cinema of Akira Kurosawa work on a visual level but the story and gameplay are so empty and repetitive this barely works as a homage, let alone an engaging game in its own right.

ACG - Buy

Quote

Video Review - Quote not available

Console Creatures - Recommended

Quote

This tale of a ronin looks amazing with its warm and fuzzy film grain. But below the surface, Trek to Yomi suffers from repetition and a few tired mechanics.

Entertainium - Meh

Quote

Even with a fantastic presentation, due to the issues with combat Trek to Yomi ends up amounting to a very middle-of-the-road action game. It’s disappointingly limited when it comes to truly challenging you, and outside of playing with 1-hit death – a feature that’s unlocked when you first beat the game –  there’s not really a whole lot to the game to keep you coming back for more.

GameOnAUS - Liked

Quote

This isn’t Ghost of Tsushima but it isn’t supposed to be – it’s a different, but enjoyable experience and one well worth experiencing if you’re a Samurai Cinema fan or looking for a new Samurai-themed sword-wielding adventure.

One More Game - Buy

Quote

Trek to Yomi often feels like it prioritizes looks over gameplay and to a certain extent, that's fine. The game flawlessly executes exquisite camera angles that give off a highly-cinematic feel that is a joy to both watch and play. While its close-up visuals are average at best, the game exceeds at framing scenes that look 'gram-worthy whenever the screenshot button is pressed.

 

Its combat system, while decent, boils down to repeated patterns at easier difficulties but gets excruciatingly difficult at the next level, without finding a good middle ground that makes the experience feel satisfying. That said, it is very easy to pick up and play but will require players to prioritize timing over dexterity.

 

Rock, Paper, Shotgun - Unscored

Quote

A samurai side-scroller with striking visuals and a compelling story of revenge, let down a little by enemies that get very samey, very quickly.

SIFTER - Unscored

Quote

Visually, TREK TO YOMI is a cinematic feast, using static camera angles with gorgeous placement and attention to detail to the max. There's a real focus on framing here, the camera shifting and adjusting in just the right ways to show you wide-landscapes when Hikori is outnumbered and isolated, and tight carefully framed snippets of pastoral village life and bustling marketplaces.

Skill Up - Unscored

Quote

Video Review - Quote not available