The third week of May saw the launch of several highly anticipated titles, generating considerable buzz on Steam. 'Subnautica 2', which held the top spot on wishlists for 36 weeks, is off to a strong start with a 'Very Positive' rating. Netmarble's 'King's Raid: Lord of the Thrones' also maintains a 'Very Positive' score in Korean. Among these new releases, one title stands out: 'Alabaster Dawn', which began its early access journey just 7 days ago.

Alabaster Dawn is the latest offering from the developers of 'CrossCode', an action-adventure game that achieved an 'Overwhelmingly Positive' rating on Steam. Players step into the shoes of 'Juno', tasked with the monumental mission of rebuilding the desolate world of 'Tyran Sol'.

Tyran Sol was once a breathtaking realm, brimming with lush greenery and pristine waters. However, an unknown entity known as 'Nyx' awakened one day, causing flora, fauna, and the very land to mutate into grotesque forms and turn against humanity. In their desperation, humans received divine power to combat Nyx, with twelve warriors and sages bestowed with potent abilities known as the 'Chosen Ones'.

On the day of the final confrontation, as they were about to strike at the heart of Nyx, the divine voice abruptly ceased. The warriors lost their powers, leading to a devastating defeat. Time passed, and protagonist Juno awakens. Once a banished Chosen One, Juno embarks on a solitary quest to reawaken humanity and vanquish Nyx from the world.

Alabaster Dawn presents itself as a real-time 2.5D action game, reminiscent of the classic 'Secret of Mana' series. Players engage Nyx using a combination of their equipped weapon and learned combos. Upon starting the game, you'll acquire a one-handed sword, with the progression unlocking various other weapons like crossbows and great hammers. The game features separate character and weapon levelling systems; levelling up a weapon unlocks distinct combos.

For instance, when you first obtain the one-handed sword, you'll only have access to a basic three-hit combo. However, as you level it up, you can learn skills tailored for different situations, such as charging your attacks or chaining combos after a brief pause. Each weapon type also boasts unique characteristics. Swords are fast but deal less damage to armoured enemies, while hammers, though slower, inflict significant damage even against heavily protected foes.

Complementing the diverse combat options, the game features a wide array of enemies, each employing unique tactics to challenge players. The 'Spira', a small spherical entity, is weak individually but appears in swarms, often alongside ranged attackers like the plant-like 'Tery'. As you progress, more formidable foes emerge, such as the rapidly pursuing 'Erisius', posing a constant threat.

To counter these threats, players must actively utilise evasion and parrying in addition to combos. A well-timed parry, executed just as an enemy attack lands, can deflect the blow and inflict significant stagger damage. Players can also discover various elemental magic spells. These spells consume mana but deliver substantial ranged damage, and are particularly effective when exploiting enemy weaknesses.

Beyond combat, Alabaster Dawn incorporates a variety of puzzle elements. While field traversal involves relatively simple puzzles, temples and dungeons present complex brain-teasers reminiscent of 'The Legend of Zelda'. The 'Chakram' weapon allows players to grab and launch objects in a desired direction, essential for solving puzzles that involve moving orbs to specific locations or connecting conductive elements.

Alabaster Dawn currently holds a 'Very Positive' user rating on Steam, with 94% of players recommending it. Reviews praise the game for improving on the previous title's 'visibility issues and overly dense puzzles', calling it a 'must-play for fans of classic action JRPGs like Kingdom Hearts, Zelda, and Secret of Mana'. Many also note its 'high level of polish, considering it's in early access' and how its 'beautiful pixel graphics blend well with the sad and tragic story'. While Korean language support is not yet available, it is slated for addition upon the game's full release.