Stray Blade

 PlayStation 5
Metascore
62

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. PLAY
    Sep 17, 2023
    70
    Unique twists on combat and environment design make this a charming soulslike, though rough edges may wear you down before you hit credits. [Issue#28, p.78]
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  2. Push Square
    Apr 27, 2023
    70
    Stray Blade is an enjoyable entry-level Souls-like RPG with a beautifully built world to explore. Its intriguing narrative and comical companion, Boji, will keep you entertained for its full 20-plus hour duration. Although bugs and frame rate issues are present, we would recommend Stray Blade to those looking to get a foot in the door of the Souls-like genre.
  3. PSX Brasil
    May 9, 2023
    65
    There is no doubt that Stray Blade manages to appropriate well the mechanics that have become popular in recent years and it does so in a game that is concerned with its narrative and its fantasy look. But some flaws in the combat and exploration design end up undermining some of its best ideas, which doesn't take away its merits, but unfortunately overshadows the experience as a whole.
  5. Impulsegamer
    Apr 26, 2023
    58
    Overall, I honestly believe that Stray Blade could’ve been something a lot greater than what it ended up being. Having said that there is room for the developers to fix these little niggling issues and make this into a game worthy of your money. At the moment this title is a souls like for beginners, but even then would not prepare you to put on your big boy pants and play a game that is harder. There are too many technical issues regarding input delay and general timing to ever make you better than what this game will allow you to be right here and now.
  6. Gaming Age
    May 15, 2023
    50
    I can say that looking a little different than your usual Souls-like isn’t enough to make Stray Blade worth checking out. Unless you’ve always been keen to explore the genre but aren’t skilled enough to actually play the games – in which case, I guess, here’s your chance to try one with a much lower difficulty level – it’s hard to see who’d really enjoy it.
  7. GamersRD
    May 10, 2023
    50
    Stray Blade is another game with the Souls formula that fell short. It may have interesting mechanics but they are not outstanding at all. Its world is well built on a visual level and at the same time it does not offer much to do.

User Reviews

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User Score
6.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 5 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 5
  3. Negative: 2 out of 5
  1. Devilseye
    Jun 3, 2023
    8
    Playing the game on highest difficulty, stating you die allot. Is no joke. You have to focus, parry sometimes slow, sometimes fast and usePlaying the game on highest difficulty, stating you die allot. Is no joke. You have to focus, parry sometimes slow, sometimes fast and use dodge and in some roles, block as well.
    I cannot relate to much to above ratings as I had a lot of fun playing so far.
    At this moment I am 10 hours in and having a blast also noticing the differences witg dark souls and/or bloodborne games.
    I must admit, not improving a weapon, but instead having another variety of it. Makes it fun to explore and try out new weapons.

    Story is thusfar ok, but I am taking my time to go off road and find hard camps where you need to wage war with sometimes 6-10 npc's.
    Or to backtrqck and see how previous camps have changed.

    Difference in Mobs/Npc's is also fun and fighting 5 mibs easy just to end with a elite in the end with a big difference in movement set, I like it.

    Compared to ither games, I think it is comparable with Ashen and Chronos. If you like those, you will like this.

    But yes It is a souls like in a happy setting. I like the variantion. Def recommend it    … Full Review »
  2. Monsterman
    May 2, 2023
    3
    I had high hopes for this game. Unfortunately it's a buggy mess. Most things don't work as intended. Sometimes the Hit Boxes are totally off,I had high hopes for this game. Unfortunately it's a buggy mess. Most things don't work as intended. Sometimes the Hit Boxes are totally off, the weapon progression doesn't rise or the game just ignores your inputs. But even if things work, the games combat system is boring and clunky. There's not much more to it than to press dodge or parry according to the color of the enemy's attack. Enemy's AI is also very bad. Sometimes they just run off cliffs and the first boss I encountered constantly ran away from me and attacked the air. At the beginning I had a little bit of fun with the game, but the repetitive and clunky gameplay and the boring progression system didn't motivate me to finish it. To end on a positive note, I liked the art style and the voice actors did a pretty good job. The world is also nice to explore and you can find much background information about it, if you're into that stuff.… Full Review »
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