Blades of Time

 PC
Metascore
63

Mixed or average reviews - based on 6 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. PC Master (Greece)
    May 28, 2012
    71
    Underperforming in crucial (for its genre) aspects, Blades of Time is nevertheless a decent suggestion for action game fans, when it inevitably finds its way to the bargain bin. [June 2012]
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  2. Absolute Games
    Jul 28, 2012
    69
    Blades of Time is a step forward compared to X-Blades, Gaijin Entertainment's previous offering. Alas, the hack and slash action is too monotonous to enjoy, and there is nothing else to draw you in.
  3. XGN
    Jun 1, 2012
    65
    Although this hack 'n slash game has its flaws, it is quite fun and enjoyable. If you like the genre then you better get it, and not only because it's very affordable.
  5. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Jul 29, 2012
    60
    Nice boss battles and time-related features cannot compensate for the lack of fresh ideas, absence of story and or useless shooting. [July 2012]
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  6. DarkZero
    Jun 8, 2012
    60
    Blades of Time is a better game than X-Blades, but not by much. The game knows it has a good idea because it abuses the time feature trick a bit too much, and like a kid wanting attention, you'll just get fed up with it being in your face all the time.
  7. 4P.de
    Jul 19, 2012
    57
    The core with linear exploration and fighting works surprisingly well. And even though you can notice slight visual improvements compared to the console versions, Ayumi is hindered by technical faults and lackluster design decisions.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 128 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 69 out of 128
  2. Mixed: 42 out of 128
  3. Negative: 17 out of 128
  1. teckchris
    Apr 28, 2012
    10
    Blades of Time is an excellent game that is highly underrated. It seems like a good combo of Devil May Cry and Prince of Persia. Not just aBlades of Time is an excellent game that is highly underrated. It seems like a good combo of Devil May Cry and Prince of Persia. Not just a button masher, and very fun to play. The level design is very unique and fantastic compared to other games. It's graphics are modern but not the best quality around however it plays well and is extremely fun.… Full Review »
  2. drachehexe
    Jul 28, 2012
    4
    This game is a confusing mess. It is an example of designers either not knowing what they really want to accomplish with a game or trying toThis game is a confusing mess. It is an example of designers either not knowing what they really want to accomplish with a game or trying to accomplish too much. The end result is a game that lacks any cohesion that brings all it's pieces together. The obvious lack of talent used to make this game is solely responsible. It's only saving grave is pretty graphics and a sometimes satisfyingly fun system of combat. But even then the graphics are over exposed with no use of shadows or ambient occlusion to add a realistic lighting feel. For combat the gimmick of this game is a not-like-Prince of Persia time rewind ability that instead of rewinding everything, it rewinds everything BUT you. At its best this clever use of a game mechanic comes off brilliantly, adding a depth of strategy to the regular humdrum of the typical hack and slasher. Sadly, though, it is rarely at it's best. Much of the good fights are just repetition of previous fights and there is a LOT of repetition. The worst part is that you will find yourself in fights where you can't use the time rewind ability and there is no explanation why. You start the fight, decide to rewinds and...nothing. No warning you won't have it. it's just not there. Whatever the reason for it is as non-existent as the ability as itself. It's a horrible design flaw to give a player an ability only to take it away at specific times for no specific purpose. Beyond the graphics and combat there really is nothing else to love about this game. Early on you see that this is going to be a "gather souls and buy ability enhancements with those souls" kind of game. But after a handful of upgrades the ability enhancement concept is completely abandoned. Even the concept of finding chests for various equipment thins out pretty quick. To round out just how horrible this game is, the characters are as shallow as I have ever seen in the game. No of them are interesting in the slightest, and many of them would serve the game better to be removed and replaced by monsters. Voice acting is the worst I have heard since the original Resident Evil. Yes, voice acting IS THAT AWFUL. The game levels are horribly designed as well. There is no rhyme or reason to the level layouts other than a means to try to make them interesting, which they fail miserably at that. As a matter of fact, the whole world this game is set in has no logic to it. It is a ridiculous mashing up of ideas that do not fit together well at all. If you can bypass the horrible overall design and just enjoy the combat there is something to be had here. Or, if you're one of those people who enjoy a horrible movie just because it's horrible you might like this game. But there is really nothing here, not even the combat, that is memorable enough to make this game worth recommending to anyone, not even fans of the genre.… Full Review »
  3. kache
    Jun 11, 2012
    9
    Nice story, awesome fighting system (the use of the time rewind is a first, I think), nice japanese dub (as always, even if the englishNice story, awesome fighting system (the use of the time rewind is a first, I think), nice japanese dub (as always, even if the english translation on subtitles is quite ... disappointing), very good graphics (and amazing art), lots of different enemies, lots of powers, good longevity (15-20 hours). Why didn't I hear about this sooner? At the beginning it felt like a xBlades ripoff, right down to the name (Ayumi...), but as the game continued it created it's own personality (xblades was more dreamy, BoT is far more down to earth). I didn't really like the ending, but that's my issue. The game itself was also very polished. Encountered very few bugs, mainly in the DLC. This is pretty much it. Quite awesome game, well done, well thought. There is only one thing bothered me for the first half of the game: the skimpy outfit of the protagonist, same issue I had with xBlades. Luckily better outfits appeared along the way, so problem solved. Next step is an RPG version of this, with the possibility to choose, especially in the end. :D
    Last but not least: the combi of firearms and swords is absolutely perfect on PC. Can switch seamlessly between them, and make a perfect use of both. This is one of the reasons (coupled with the far better graphics) to play it on PC, instead of console.    … Full Review »
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