Deep from the land of Eurojank and Slavic folklore comes Bylina, an Action RPG focusing on skill-based combat and narrative-driven adventuring. I got a chance to play an early build of the game and see where developer Far Far Games is taking their first-ever title before it releases later in 2025.
Spoiler: it's everything I could have hoped for.
Bylina is the product of game designers who grew frustrated over not seeing themselves represented in the grander landscape. While the 2000s saw the rise of Eurojank – specifically titles made by Europeans held together more by passion than stable game design – that genre has dried with the AA-market. Now, it's seeing another return, and Bylina wants to lead the charge.
The demo sets off at the beginning, with our hero, Falconet, arriving to the wilderness to become a reknowned bogatyr like his father. A bogatyr is like a European knight errant, a warrior who solves problems of others while adventuring onwards to parts unknown. Only, Falconet isn't a daring hero. He doesn't have special powers, and in the beginning he's a clumsy wannabe.
This is intentional. Bylina won't hold you by the hand. Instead, it will challenge you, be that through combat or an inhospitable world that is beautiful on the surface, and deadly if you let your guard down.
Said world is built on Slavic folks, mythology, and... South Park references(!?).
Yes, you read that right. No, I'm not sure how it will play out. But one thing the developers behind Bylina seem to be excited about is how funny and referential their impossibly moody title really is. During our chat while gaming, I heard namedrops to no less than six major titles ranging from anime to Skyrim, some reasonably (the opening credits tip the cap to Attack on Titan), while others just seem odd (Towelie from South Park).
But hey, that's Eurojank for you. These are games that have everything but the kitchen sink thrown in, and they're always a treat because of those rough edges, not in spite of them.
Luckily, Bylina plays remarkably well, even in this early state. The combat in particular is a joy as it captures the weightiness of sword fighting, while still delivering the early promise of a power fantasy as you get better at the game.
There's a minute slowdown as you swing the sword, just as it connects with the enemy, that makes it feel like the sensation of hitting something hard. It adds a momentary heft to the fight, and while it doesn't read quite well on paper, in action the result is surprisingly satisfying.
The camera is locked at a semi-isometric angle, which allows for more appreciation of the handcrafted levels and world. Bylina isn't an open world title in the traditional sense, but more of a guided Metroidvania mix, where each area is packed with detail and things to explore.
Visually, it has the air of old-school knock-off animations from this Eastern part of the world. Not quite handmade, not quite animated, but something in between. It's eerie and otherworldly, and I love it. In cinematic terms, it's like playing a version of Aleksandr Ptushko's hugely imaginative films.
Controls work similarly to other ARPG titles, and our presentor namedrops No Rest for the Wicked, by Moon Studios, which released into Early Access last year.
Compared to that title and something like Diablo, Bylina sits comfortably between them as a little bit faster than No Rest for the Wicked, but not quite as much of a power fantasy as Diablo. But it's early days still, and our guide repeated that it's all about the skill you put that Bylina gives back in return.
Bylina is set to release later this year, with big plans for spin-off and side material in the process. Like the game, it's a hugely ambitious endeavor for a new project, but that's precisely the fuel that keeps projects like these going.
As for now, Bylina ranks impressively high on my anticipation scale. It's weird, soulful, and rough around the edges, which is exactly as I like it. I can't wait to dive deeper into this chaotic world to see what it has in store.
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