After its announcement, Unending Dawn quickly caught players’ attention thanks to its anime-inspired art style and soulslike combat system. However, since then, the project has remained largely under wraps. During the ChinaJoy 2025 expo, a journalist from the Korean outlet Inven had the chance to try out a demo version of the game and shared his first impressions in a review highlighting both the strengths and weaknesses of the title.
A unique and challenging combat system
The core of Unending Dawn‘s combat lies in a unique Stagger Gauge mechanic, which affects both enemies and the player. This gauge fills up when blocking or taking damage, and once it maxes out, the affected target becomes stunned and vulnerable. The main goal is to stagger enemies while avoiding being staggered yourself.
The game promotes an active defensive style, rewarding well-timed parries and dodge rolls over standard blocking, which fills the stagger gauge quickly. The journalist noted that the parry timing is more generous compared to other games in the genre, making the system more accessible without sacrificing depth.
To keep battles intense, enemies also perform unblockable attacks highlighted in red. These can’t be parried and must be avoided through timely dodges. This constant switching between parrying and dodging creates a dynamic and strategic combat rhythm.
Two protagonists, more options
One of Unending Dawn‘s most distinctive features is its character switch system. Players control two heroines: a young swordswoman with a balanced combat style, and a mature lancer who hits harder but is less agile. Both have unique skills and ultimate attacks that bring flash and variety to battles.
This switching mechanic also acts as a kind of second chance: if one heroine falls in battle, the other instantly takes her place. This helps reduce frustration from small mistakes often punished harshly in soulslike games. Moreover, switching characters at key moments enables special combo attacks to finish off weakened enemies, adding flair and tactical depth to the action.
Great potential, held back by technical flaws
Despite its strong mechanics, the Inven journalist pointed out several issues. The most notable is the game’s lackluster visuals, featuring outdated graphics and a visual style that struggles to stand out—even when compared to current mobile titles.
He also criticized the character animations, describing them as stiff and unnatural. In a game where fluid combat is crucial for immersion, these awkward movements are a serious drawback.
A concept with potential, but in need of polish
In conclusion, the journalist believes that Unending Dawn is a game with promising ideas and innovative combat, but currently suffers from limited technical execution. It’s especially disappointing considering the game is part of Sony’s China Hero Project, which aims to support promising developers in the region.
However, the review ends on a hopeful note: there’s still time for improvement. If the developers manage to refine the game’s visuals and animations, Unending Dawn could become an unexpected gem in the genre.
