Blades of Fire Review

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Initially, when I penned about “Blades of Fire” at GDC, I found myself intrigued to learn how the complete game would compare to the brief level I experienced. The weapon crafting system, coupled with exploration and combat that emphasized not just where you struck an enemy but also the type of attack attribute, seemed quite promising. After playing the full game, on reflection, “Blades of Fire” appears to be one of the most daring and intriguing games the team has ever produced – though it might have been a bit too ambitious in execution.

Typically, I wouldn’t do this, but let me give you a peek behind the scenes, if you will. This might or might not be surprising; however, it’s worth mentioning that within the games media, we often engage in discussions about the games we review. Sometimes, when a review is published, we chat among ourselves regarding our feelings towards a particular game. For games with multiplayer features, we usually try to coordinate play sessions so we can all experience the gameplay dynamics firsthand. In the case of Blades of Fire, the conversation has consistently been more than just casual chatter – it’s been shared frustration about the exploration and progression during certain pivotal story moments.

Blades of Fire – A Game with Action-RPG Mix and Metroidvania Feel

Overview: Blades of Fire is not just an Action game; it incorporates RPG elements too, giving it a strong resemblance to the Metroidvania genre. However, it’s important to note that it’s not an open-world game. Instead, each map within the game is highly vertical, filled with intricate, winding paths. The developers clearly intend for players to explore independently, but this self-exploration comes with its challenges – namely, a poorly designed map, frustrating level layouts, and more elements that can dampen enjoyment.

Despite the game’s stunning visuals, it presents an overly busy world, which may detract from the overall experience.

In my gaming experience, the game sometimes presents a puzzling inconsistency – during one playthrough, it may require me to wait for a spectral ally to indicate an interactive object to advance, while in another instance, I must follow a guide-like skeleton child. At a specific point, he ceases to guide me, leaving me to navigate the path forward on my own, all while avoiding adversaries intent on capturing him. Although this peculiar issue resolves as the game unfolds, I must admit that it remains somewhat frustrating throughout the journey.

In this game, I find the intricate system of weapon crafting truly captivating. As I vanquish foes, I gradually uncover secrets to fashioning the weapons they wield – and over time, I unearth various metals and woods, each boasting distinct defensive and offensive traits for my crafting endeavors. By offering diverse categories of weapons to a statue adorned with a similar weapon, I unlock novel components for my armory.

Crafting a weapon grants me control over its range, penetration for slashing and piercing damage, and durability – as well as the cost of sharpening it. The more I use a weapon, the more its penetrative power dwindles, lessening the damage I inflict on enemies and eventually rendering some adversaries impervious. Balancing the durability against the offense, among other attributes, is a delicate act that keeps me engaged in this captivating gameplay mechanic.

In this game, battles primarily focus on pressing the face buttons. When you target an enemy, a visual representation highlights how your current weapon attack will impact various body parts. A green outline signifies that the damage will be dealt when attacking that specific area. If it’s yellow, it suggests that the damage could be minimal, while red implies that the attack will ricochet without causing any harm. Different enemies have distinct resistance levels to slashing and piercing attacks; therefore, if your sword fails against a particular enemy, consider using a spear instead. Each strike consumes stamina, and as your stamina depletes, your attacks become slower. Pressing the guard button gradually restores your stamina, while correctly timing a block can parry an attack, offering temporary unlimited stamina.

In this game, combat tends to be deliberate rather than fast-paced compared to many modern action games I’ve encountered. The strategic aspect is enhanced as the environment plays a role – for instance, if you’re in a narrow passage, you might choose to strike an enemy’s legs instead of colliding with a wall, or switch to a penetrating stance when possible. You could also maneuver an opponent around a corner and execute a sweeping attack to hit them while keeping yourself out of harm’s way.

In optimal situations, when the game’s layout enhances rather than obstructs your experience, Blades of Fire has the potential to be exceptional. The narrative also offers some compelling parts, though subtle they may be. Regrettably, issues with level design often arise. During weapon forging, the efficiency of your process determines the number of repairs you can unlock for the weapon. Unfortunately, these repairs demand resources identical to those used in the initial creation process.

In the game, you’re informed about the common resources for each region on the map, but there’s no way to pinpoint exactly where to find these resources. As a temporary solution, as you use weapons, they increase in fame; you can exchange spent weapons with Glinda, who offers the choice of exchanging them for any one type of material. This allows you to trade a large number of spent weaker weapons for the materials needed to craft an extraordinary weapon. However, this system encourages you to utilize weapons that may not be ideal for the task at hand so you can repair or create better weapons in the future. While theoretically sound, it becomes an additional nuisance in gameplay and seems more like an unnecessary complication rather than a meaningful addition to the weapon crafting experience.

In summary, Blades of Fire is a game with its ups and downs. I generally had a decent time playing it, flaws included – however, I find it challenging to endorse the game in its present form. Unfortunately, without substantial modifications to the map, I’m unsure if I would ever recommend the game without numerous warnings attached. On the positive side, the PC version of the game boasts excellent HDR implementation and runs smoothly on Steam Deck, provided you can manage to get the Epic Games Store functioning on your device. I must say, I value any game that avoids traversal or shader compilation lag these days, and from a technical perspective, MercurySteam has created a very good gaming experience.

Amidst an overflowing year of game releases, Blades of Fire tries to make an impression, yet with numerous other games launching simultaneously and the Switch 2 arriving soon, it’s tricky to suggest adding it to your collection right away. Role-playing enthusiasts have plenty to anticipate; perhaps in a few months, Blades of Fire might be worth revisiting, but at present, it’s more of an intriguing novelty overshadowed by some disappointing challenges.

6

Versions tested: PC. Blades of Fire is also available for Xbox Series and PlayStation 5.

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2025-05-20 18:26