Blade Symphony

 PC
Metascore
72

Mixed or average reviews - based on 5 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. Games.cz
    Jan 5, 2015
    60
    Interesting idea, but the realization failed. Fencing duels are fun, they have the necessary depth and controls that are easy to learn. But except for one-on-one duels, the game doesn't offer anything interesting. Rather than a complete game Blade Symphony feels like a small taste of something you never get.
  2. GameSpot
    May 17, 2014
    50
    Taken as a tightly cropped slice of the action, Blade Symphony's arena duels showcase some stunning character designs, downright poetic combat maneuvers, and exciting combat mechanics. But that's only a small piece of an unfinished and rather sloppy whole. This multiplayer fighter looks, feels, and actually is incomplete in spots, which puts a real damper on the few bright elements that make it almost worth the fuss.

User Reviews

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User Score
6.6

Mixed or average reviews- based on 39 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 39
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 39
  3. Negative: 9 out of 39
  1. halberdman
    May 9, 2014
    8
    A surprisingly enjoyable sword combat game. The combat is fast paced and just manages to miss being frantic but definitely gets me on the edgeA surprisingly enjoyable sword combat game. The combat is fast paced and just manages to miss being frantic but definitely gets me on the edge of my seat with adrenaline pumping. It feels vaguely like a fighting game (a la Soul Calibur or Tekken) in a multiplayer context. If you like skill-based play with lots of room for advancement as you learn, I highly recommend it. On the other hand, if you prefer more thoughtful, slow paced games, you might want to look elsewhere.

    Pros:
    -excellent tactical combat system
    -great graphics
    -reasonable price point
    -courteous fanbase (so far)
    -skill-based rather than money-based success

    Cons:
    -Occasional lag leads to strange teleport-grabs or instant deaths
    -level design is a little frustrating, often spawning you FAR from the action in a game where the action is everything
    -tutorial does not cover some basic maneuvers (ctrl for dodge/wallrun, shift for shuffle step, b for bow, etc)    … Full Review »
  2. Stroganov
    May 8, 2014
    8
    Very awesome sword-fighting game. Tutorial teaches you the basics but the game has quite a deep combat system that will undoubtedly take aVery awesome sword-fighting game. Tutorial teaches you the basics but the game has quite a deep combat system that will undoubtedly take a lot of practice to truly master. Combat has moments of slow and fast-paced action, with the focus of the game being around 1v1 and 2v2 dueling, as well as a FFA mode which is good for beginners. Each weapon and each character has its own style of fighting and combat is very direction-based. It requires strategy, thought and observation if you want to be great at it. The game's graphics are very nice and animation quality is top-notch. You can do a lot of very cool moves, from wall-running and jumping to combos and power attacks. The game is almost entirely multiplayer-oriented, aside from the training area. There is a lot of room for community input, along with steam workshop integration. You can customise your characters and unlock various cosmetic skins for both weapons and armour (note: these are only cosmetic - everything you start with is just as good).

    I have no personal complaints about the gameplay itself. The only thing I question at the moment is the amount of content it has and how long it will last me, but I am hopeful that the game will continue to expanded upon by both the devs and the community. All-in-all, it's a great lot of fun. Easy to jump in and spar with people, and I feel like I've only scratched the surface as far as the intricacies of its combat go. Definitely worth the asking price (got it on sale for AU$10, though it is still only a $15 game). If you enjoy sword-fighting games, I would definitely recommend Blade Symphony!    … Full Review »
  3. zeister
    May 20, 2014
    9
    It should be noted before anything that this is a FIGHTER. Not a sword fighting simulator. If you come into it with that mindset, you might beIt should be noted before anything that this is a FIGHTER. Not a sword fighting simulator. If you come into it with that mindset, you might be frustrated, as I saw many players get when they just started. This is not M&B or War of The Roses, nor is it medieval warfare in 3RD person. This is a mix of fencing and a fighter in 3D space.
    The game is a slightly footsie-oriented fighter, but also has a surprisingly complex combo system that despite the limited moves can show you some new things even a few hundreds hours of playing in.
    It is highly competitive, with a staggering amount of complexity and the leaderboard being showed down your throat at every turn. The learning curve is not so much steep, as having an initial slope and then evening out, so be prepared for a bit of willpower to get past the first few hours, but relatively smooth sailing from there. The game is split up in 5 leagues, and it shouldn't be too hard to find someone on your own level.
    Overall, I'd go as far as calling this the BEST 3Dimensional fighter I've ever played BY FAR, and the only truly competitive one. It isn't for everyone however, it requires a lot of dedication if you want to go for the top. One point off for the poor netcode and slight balancing issues. But then, what fighter doesn't have tiers? 9 points for being an absolutely exhilarating and relatively beginner-friendly competitive fighter
    Some general information
    *The game is generally considered best with keyboard and mouse, perhaps a bit unorthodox to most fighting enthusiasts, but controller is also a viable option. In my experience the ping is quite consistent as long as you remain in your own continent.
    It's also worth mentioning that while this is based on the source engine, some of my friends that are prone to crashing in other source games have not had the issue here. I don't know how common or relevant this is, though
    *the nature of the game, and an arguably poor netcode means that cross-continental fighting is not really viable. There are currently plenty players in all regions however
    *the game has very few classes for a fighter. Four as of this review. However, it has 5 considerably different types of swords, which alter the different classes, so you could argue that it amounts to 25 different setups.
    *The game is getting good post-launch support by the development team, with tournaments and general balancing improvements.
    *The game has many servers dedicated to helping new players get the hang of the game
    *It should be noted that the player-base can be very crass. It is however surprisingly rarely malicious for a competitive game, with almost no genuine insults, and when you get accustomed to the lingo and in-jokes, a very close community.    … Full Review »
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