I don't play Chinese Paladin games and don't remember watching any other drama/movie live adaptation of the installments. Although I watched several of Xu Kai's and Yu Shu Xin's dramas, I cannot regard myself as their fan. Since I mostly watch Chinese dramas more than dramas from other countries anyway, I would eventually see their dramas. Thus, this can be called a bystander's perspective as to why I rated this drama a 10 (without detailing the aspects, the spoiler is only for the drama ending, scroll to the bottom of the review)

1. Xuanhuan is always (more) fun to watch, as long as the screenwriter does a good job writing the script

This drama is a xuanhuan. According to the MDL tag definition, xuanhuan means: "Mysterious Fantasy. A broad genre of fictional stories which remixes Chinese folklore/mythology with foreign elements and settings." It's slightly different than xianxia, which MDL describes as: "A Chinese martial arts novel genre developed from the wuxia genre that is heavily influenced by Taoism and Buddhism. The literal meaning of xianxia is 'immortal hero'. It's essentially a 'fantasy-fied' version of Wuxia: with magic, demons, immortals, and cultivation." Therefore xuanhuan dispenses the Taoism and Buddhism elements. Therefore imo, xuanhuan is more fun the watch than xianxia and wuxia, because it has more freedom in creating the world and culture of the clans, including their unique artifacts (costumes, weapons, magical items, etc).

There is a condition that a xuanhuan is entertaining to watch, as long as the screenwriter does a good job transforming the original version into a script. Since this is based on an RPG game, not a novel or manhua which details the plot and conversations, the screenwriter has to create rich plots, subplots, and dialogues to make the drama entertaining to watch from the beginning to the end. A satisfactory ending (I will spoil it at the end of the review) makes me rate the drama higher than a non-satisfactory ending.

Broad creativity in xuanhuan plot requires watchers to pay attention to the names and terms, as you may not seen them anywhere else before. Since I watched it while it's currently airing, it's easy for me to get information in the comment section. There is also the drama's discussion forum section that details some aspects if you're lost in the comments section since the drama has finished airing now.

There is also a synopsis based on the game in Wikipedia which gives details of the game to give a broad understanding. Of course, as usual, the drama plot is different than the game plot:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Legend_of_Sword_and_Fairy_6

2. Deep friendship/found family is crucial along an arduous journey

Since this is based on an adventure RPG game, it's necessary to create a group of companions (characters) with each strengths and weaknesses teaming up to face whatever they'll encounter along their journey (game). I always loved deep friendships in dramas, which even became a found family. Close bonds of friendship in a drama always leave special marks in my heart to give an extra point when rating a drama.

I also think that the casting of the protagonists of this drama befits the characters. Besides Xu Kai and Yu Shu Xin, I watched Fu Xin Bo (as Xian Qing), Wan Peng (as Zhao Yan), Bai Bing Ke (as Ming Xiu), and Zhou Zhan (as Shi Fang) before. The drama gives enough background and stories for the other leading characters as well.

3. Pure and cute Romance with great chemistry that does not overwhelm the main adventure plot

I'm not sure if the game contains romance as well, but romance is an important aspect of the drama, it's not overwhelming or takes over the adventure plot in which the group embarks on a journey with various missions.

Xu Kai and Yu Shu Xin did a great job portraying the non-blood-related siblings Yue Jin Zhao and Yue Qi. From the bonding of siblings, because they found themselves without family members or background memories to remember their families, to the intimacy of lovers, the actor and the actress exude an overflowing chemistry. This is commendable, considering that they have never collaborated before.

4. Xu Kai acting as a doppelganger Jin Zhao and Bian Luo Han

I don't want to describe much about Bian Luo Han, only that he is a mysterious character to discover in the drama. Because Yue Jin Zhao and Bian Luo Han are lookalikes, Xu Kai played both characters but with different personalities. Jin Zhao is an extroverted teenager with high spirits and energy. Bian Luo Han is an older character, introverted, quiet, and mysterious (while wearing a mask in many scenes). There is a particular scene later in the drama in which Jin Zhao and Bian Luo Han (without a mask) have a heart-to-heart talk, and I could see the differences between both personalities, although they are played by the same actor!

5. The cinematography and details of props

Places in xuanhuan dramas more likely have more colorful costumes, props, and sets than places in xianxia dramas (mostly consist of heavenly realm, demon realm, mortal realm). Since the group go to different places during their journey, we got to see intricate designs of each places. My favorite place is The Sea of Clear Skies with all its beautiful oceanic-theme designs and architectures. Yue Qi particularly looks very pretty with costumes from that place!

6. OST

As usual, OST in Chinese costumes drama deliver. My favorite in the opening theme "Miracle" sung by Taiwanese duo of brother and sister JS (an abbreviation of their names Justin and Sophia), and the insert song "Resonance" sung by none other than king of OSTs Zhou Shen. Yu Shu Xin, as usual contributed OSTs songs in her dramas, this time she sang "Pray" and "Hope".

7. The satisfactory ending (Scroll below for the spoiler. Otherwise, you can stop reading here 😊



























Yue Jin Zhao dies at the final battle. Yue Qi goes to Dragon Pool to exchange life with him. Before she did, Guardian Ying Xu Wei also went to Dragon Pool to exchange life with Yue Qi, as he felt guilty of the Yue's sacrifice. Sometime in the future, Jin Zhao is reborn and walks in the midst of crowd. He overhears a storyteller told about the bravery of some Mr Ju (who is Shi Fang, died in a battle). Shi Fang apparently is reborn, running as a child and bumps into the blind Ming Xiu. 'Jin Zhao' (not sure what his name now) help them up. Ming Xiu seems familiar hearing his voice but he said he never met her before. Ming Xiu is on her way to reunite with the two long time friend Zhao Yan and Xian Qing, who are now a couple. 'Jin Zhao' walks further and passing 'Yue Qi' who is holding a sugar candy with a goldfish design and a dandelion. Both wears the half size of fish pendant, a gift of their birthday as seen in the first episode. Yue Qi brought both the pendant pieced to Dragon Pool during the life exchange. The pendant pieces they wore touch each other that creates the resonance (explained further in the drama) and cause the dandelion to disintegrate. 'Jin Zhao' and 'Yue Qi' are in awe watching that. Although they walk away, since they're basically strangers, in the end the resonance seems to attract them to stop and look back at each other and smile. It's like fall in love at first sight.