Shades of Rayna is a free-to-play action game set in a world on the verge of ruin. With top-down gameplay and a dungeon crawler structure, it puts you in the shoes of a royal warrior out to cleanse her homeland. As you explore cursed lands and collect loot, the game promises hours of monster-hunting and stat-building fun.

Much like Princess Pomu and the 5 Moons, Shades of Rayna features a princess heroine at the center of a fantasy world filled with danger and dungeon exploration. It leans into action and adventure while tying progress to character growth and combat mastery. 

When a gift turns into a curse

In Shades of Rayna, you begin your journey as Princess Enya, ten years after a magical birthday gift sets off a series of dark events. The kingdom has since been overrun by a mysterious force known as the Shade. Now older and determined, you set out to uncover the origin of the curse and restore what’s been lost. The narrative gives you just enough backstory to push your adventure forward.

Combat in the game is built around quick dodges, timed attacks, and managing waves of enemies. With a top-down perspective, you navigate through 11 different maps, each designed with multiple layouts and enemy types. You’ll face over 50 mobs and several dragons, each with their own boss mechanics. The pacing is steady, and the hack-and-slash gameplay feels rewarding, especially as you push through deeper dungeons in search of better loot.

You can choose from six classes—Ranger, Warrior, Mage, Assassin, Outlaw, and Lasher—each with a distinct set of skills and playstyles. The expansive upgrade system allows you to level up stats, unlock passive and active abilities, and enhance gear through relics that slot into equipment. However, while the game is free to play, a good portion of its customization and content expansion leans heavily on monetization.

Fun but heavily monetized

If you're into dungeon crawlers with a focus on action and loot, Shades of Rayna offers enough depth to keep you invested. The mix of exploration, combat, and character development makes it a solid choice for players who enjoy gradual progression. However, some players may find the monetization model, particularly in areas like cosmetics, boosts, and expansion content, restrictive if they prefer a fully free experience.