Project: The Perceiver Character
Project: The Perceiver features several characters that players can swap to at any time Papergames

KEY POINTS

  • "Project: The Perceiver" is an open-world action game set in ancient China
  • The game features a parry-oriented combat system and exploration mechanics
  • "Project: The Perceiver" features both fantasy and realistic themes

A new action RPG game was recently revealed, and by the looks of things, it'll be incorporating the flashy and extremely satisfying swordplay of "Sekiro" with a few interesting twists of its own.

"Project: The Perceiver" is a game currently being worked on by 17ZHE Studio, a Chinese developer owned by Papergames. "The Perceiver" will be an open-world title, as per Gematsu, and its trailer showcased a small glimpse of what players can expect from it.

Already, influences from "Sekiro" and "Ghost of Tsushima" can be seen in the game's combat style and the stunning vistas of ancient China. The player character can be seen fending off groups of common enemies in the early sections of the trailer. The fighting only gets more intense once they begin squaring off against an elite enemy unit and a boss fight.

The boss fight, in particular, deserves commendation. While it draws some parallels with the first Genichiro Ashina fight right after "Sekiro's" prologue, the slickness of the combat, the beauty of the environment and the jaw-dropping soundtrack make "The Perceiver" stand out on its own two feet.

Project: The Perceiver environment
Project: The Perceiver is set in the Tianhu period of the Chinese Xuantong Dynasty Papergames

The game's official webpage offers a bit more insight onto its setting and gameplay. Players will be thrust into the tumultuous Tianhu period in a fantasy version of China's Xuantong Dynasty, where a foul and indescribable entity emerged in the countryside.

Not much is known about the game's protagonist apart from them being a warrior-performer of sorts. They also can visit other realms outside of the real world.

Travel methods like jumping and wall-running are in the game together with a neat character-swapping mechanic that lets players adapt to their enemies mid-fight.

The main website shows two characters represented by "masks," which appear to be central to the game's theme. These characters are Devotion, which seems to be the protagonist's base form, and Umbra, a different persona with a straw hat and raven feather mantle.

"Project: The Perceiver" has no release date as of press time, but it will be coming to PS4, PS5 and PC.

Project: The Perceiver
Project: The Perceiver features a combat style similar to Sekiro Papergames