Shards of the Banished
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About Shards of the Banished
Shards of the Banished is a dark fantasy action-RPG from GreenBeamStudio, released on PC in September 2025. You play as the exiled heir in a medieval world torn apart by betrayal and curses. The story centers on a fallen monarchy and a power-hungry usurper, with you tasked to reclaim your throne through combat, exploration, and strategy. It’s a single-player game blending fast-paced melee and spellcasting with resource management. The world is bleak and oppressive, filled with crumbling castles and shadowy enemies. If you like grinding through tough encounters and building a character from scratch, this one’s got a lot of grind and grim.
Gameplay
Combat in Shards of the Banished mixes melee swings, ranged attacks, and magic in real-time. You’ll spend most sessions switching between dodging enemy strikes, chaining combos, and managing a stamina bar that limits your actions. The game forces you to experiment with weapon upgrades and skill trees, which unlock new abilities or boost stats. Exploration involves backtracking through dungeons littered with weak enemies and tough bosses, often requiring specific strategies to beat. Between fights, you’ll craft potions, scavenge for rare materials, and parse dialogue options that rarely matter. The pace is slow, with progression tied to grinding XP and gear, each new ability feels earned but rarely transformative.
What Players Think
Shards of the Banished holds a 72% PlayPile rating and a 6.8/10 critic score. Only 38% of players finish it, with an average playtime of 18 hours. Community moods are split: 42% call it “frustrating” and 28% “compelling.” Some praise its “atmospheric world” and “deep skill trees,” while others gripe about “repetitive combat” and “unclear quest goals.” One review says, “The bosses are punishing but fair if you learn patterns.” Another calls it “a slog with no payoff.” The game’s $39.99 price tag has players debating if it’s worth the time, especially with 52 achievements taking an average of 22 hours to unlock.
PlayPile's Take
Shards of the Banished is a tough sell for casual players. It rewards persistence with a detailed world and satisfying upgrades, but its grind-heavy gameplay and unclear direction will test patience. Fans of punishing action-RPGs who enjoy slow progression and deep customization might find value in its 52 achievements and 18-hour average playtime. However, the $39.99 price feels steep given the 38% completion rate. It’s a game for those who like battling through frustration for incremental rewards, skip if you prefer smoother, more forgiving experiences.
Game Modes
Single player
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