Blue Fire

 Switch
User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 55 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 34 out of 55
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 55
  3. Negative: 6 out of 55

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  1. Spoontastic
    Feb 8, 2021
    5
    The combat is really clunky and not fun. At first the movement seems pretty intuitive, but the character slips around so much as you turn, it makes the platforming feel super clunky as well. One of the most frustrating things is how much the character moves back when he gets hit. It sends him flying, often off a ledge. I like the art style and can appreciate the love that went into theThe combat is really clunky and not fun. At first the movement seems pretty intuitive, but the character slips around so much as you turn, it makes the platforming feel super clunky as well. One of the most frustrating things is how much the character moves back when he gets hit. It sends him flying, often off a ledge. I like the art style and can appreciate the love that went into the game... it’s just not fun because of how frustrating the controls are.… Expand
  2. Kwar
    Feb 10, 2021
    7
    This is really a great game. If it wasn't so buggy it would be a definite 10 for me. I got stuck in a treasure chest recently. Ugh. Still the world is beautiful. The music. And the frustration is starting to pay off.

    Edit: I had to lower my score from 8 to 7. This game keeps crashing. Developers please fix.
  3. he110me
    Feb 20, 2021
    7
    A soulful Zelda/Hollow Knight fan game that is fun and rewarding, and novel at times, but has some major flaws.

    The game has pretty standard platforming with a simple variable-height jump and a dash move. One novel thing about the dash is, like jumping, you can change the distance of your dash based on how long you hold the button down. This mechanic is used fairly often, so mastering    A soulful Zelda/Hollow Knight fan game that is fun and rewarding, and novel at times, but has some major flaws.

    The game has pretty standard platforming with a simple variable-height jump and a dash move. One novel thing about the dash is, like jumping, you can change the distance of your dash based on how long you hold the button down. This mechanic is used fairly often, so mastering it will be key.

    The platforming challenges are pretty substantial, which emphasizes a major flaw when it comes to platforming: the character shadow. In most 3d platforms, there is a little "shadow" that shows exactly where your character is going to land. This is essential for 3d platforming as the lack of depth perception makes distances tough to judge. Blue fire does contain this shadow for your character, but it doesn't show up on some platforms. This means for several jumps you just have to guess that you are over your target. Save points are scarce and loading times are long, so you will often find yourself plunging to your doom for guessing wrong, and having to redo a long section.

    The combat is very reminiscent of wind waker with lock-on, strafing, and dodging. The enemies are decently varied, each with their own quirks to overcome. The basic design of the enemies is solid, but the hitboxes are atrocious. You will find yourself getting hit even though your character may be a meter away from the enemy's sword for instance. Thankfully, there is a shield mechanic which allows you to consume mana to tank hits. Mana is regenerated by hitting enemies, so this is a very viable way to do combat. Because of the hitboxes, you will find yourself relying on this mechanic more than dodging.

    Another flaw with the combat is the base attack. Much like later 3d zelda games, your character will automatically dash in the direction of the locked-on enemy when attacking. If you aren't locked on, your character will dash to the nearest enemy (even if it is behind you). In most games, this is a non-issue. However, Blue Fire often has you fighting enemies on precarious terrain, with plenty of places that can cause you to fall. This dash makes it extremely risky to fight without locking on, as you will find yourself dashing in a direction you don't expect, causing you to plunge to your death. At the same time, there are several encounters where locking on is detrimental because of the number of enemies you are facing. If I were the developer, I would immediately patch in an option to turn this dash off and make the character attack in place, as the dash severely clashes with the design of the rest of the game.

    All in all, the game is fun enough that I intend to finish it. If the shadow issue were fixed, the hitboxes tightened up (or animations adjusted to match the hitboxes), and the dashing motion on attack were removed, this game could be a solid 9/10.    … Expand
  4. giannis2001
    Feb 8, 2021
    7
    The game is very fun to play even though it is lacking a bit of polish. But the platforming feels very good and the combat is nice and satisfying as well. I only didn't like some Vpid challenges which are challenging platforming sections, because the depth didn't help you much and basically you had to predict where to land. Nonetheless, I went through the whole thing and almost 100% and IThe game is very fun to play even though it is lacking a bit of polish. But the platforming feels very good and the combat is nice and satisfying as well. I only didn't like some Vpid challenges which are challenging platforming sections, because the depth didn't help you much and basically you had to predict where to land. Nonetheless, I went through the whole thing and almost 100% and I recommend it, maybe on sale if you aren't sure.… Expand
  5. Hashirama
    Feb 20, 2021
    5
    I've played 10 hours of this and it's not good.

    My main issue is how buggy the game is. The following has happened: Being glued on the floor, unable to jump. An error occurs, closing the game. After dying against a certain boss, the loading screen gets struck. I climbed a ladder and when I reached the top I drowned? somehow? My other issue is the platforming, where timing    I've played 10 hours of this and it's not good.

    My main issue is how buggy the game is. The following has happened:

    Being glued on the floor, unable to jump.

    An error occurs, closing the game.

    After dying against a certain boss, the loading screen gets struck.

    I climbed a ladder and when I reached the top I drowned? somehow?

    My other issue is the platforming, where timing your dashes can be frustrating. It gets easier though, after you obtain the double jump, giving you more control on where to land. But that will likely take the first 6 hours of your play through.

    I do like the concept though, it looks like past Zelda games. But these issues do ruin the experience.    … Expand
  6. breadman123
    Feb 19, 2023
    6
    I played through the main story and beat the final boss, but I had no desire to find and complete all voids. I think the platforming and parkour mechanics are solid, but combat is just annoying. I would have loved the whole game to be as interesting as the first 2-3 areas.
  7. Luxox412
    Jun 17, 2021
    7
    I just finished it 100%, it took me 16 hours to complete, good game, although the developers confused the entertainment with the difficulty, it has quite frustrating challenges, quite entertaining enemies and bosses, characters with little narrative, however it keeps you entertained. I do not know why they resemble games like Zelda, if it is a different platform and adventure game,I just finished it 100%, it took me 16 hours to complete, good game, although the developers confused the entertainment with the difficulty, it has quite frustrating challenges, quite entertaining enemies and bosses, characters with little narrative, however it keeps you entertained. I do not know why they resemble games like Zelda, if it is a different platform and adventure game, although I must say that the plot of the Gods has a small similarity.… Expand
  8. Vash0125
    Feb 10, 2021
    5
    Disregard all those tens you alot of gamers these days have lower standards and also are more forgiving towards games that remind them of much better titles. This is like if Zelda and Hollow Knight gave birth to a retarded child. Boring combat ugly graphics, bad camera and buggy as hell. Ive had the game crash several times on me and experienced a wierd glitch where my feet got basicallyDisregard all those tens you alot of gamers these days have lower standards and also are more forgiving towards games that remind them of much better titles. This is like if Zelda and Hollow Knight gave birth to a retarded child. Boring combat ugly graphics, bad camera and buggy as hell. Ive had the game crash several times on me and experienced a wierd glitch where my feet got basically glued to the ground. This game needs some heavy duth patching and also an extreme makeover to justify all the good reviews ive seen for it. Save your money and wait for something better.… Expand
  9. Plasmodiumv
    Feb 22, 2021
    7
    Blue Fire tries to be a lot of different things but succeeds at only a few. Zelda-like, Souls-Like, Metroidvania even sometimes, with a gorgeous art-style reminiscent of the Gamecube era mixing Wind Waker's cel shading with Hollow Knight's feel and tones. This is a good game, a very good game I would even dare say, but it suffers from its issues a little too much. The combat feels good,Blue Fire tries to be a lot of different things but succeeds at only a few. Zelda-like, Souls-Like, Metroidvania even sometimes, with a gorgeous art-style reminiscent of the Gamecube era mixing Wind Waker's cel shading with Hollow Knight's feel and tones. This is a good game, a very good game I would even dare say, but it suffers from its issues a little too much. The combat feels good, but there are only 3 types of enemies. The platforming feels great, but the decor in each area is very same-y, making it difficult to orient yourself when exploring, backtracking or chasing collectables. And then, there's the lack of polish.. Bland menus, strait-to-black loading transitions, lack of animation for certain actions.. And the character's arms constantly clip through its swords when it's running..

    I have to admit I really like the story though. It's told mostly through the classical Zelda-style of running into the same NPC over and over again, him offering advice and lore over the course of the game and that was done really well. Although (yes, another criticism) it's a bit convoluted and confusing. I have nothing to say against the NPC overall design. That and the writing are absolutely spot-on. It's funny, quirky, and each character has its own personality, making it fun to interact with them. I haven't talked to ALL NPC in a game in a very long time..

    Overall, this is a really great game. But the amount of issues I've had with it can't justify me a higher score. I don't think it deserves lower than that. With a big 1.1 patch fixing most of its cosmetic bugs, (I didn't get a single crash yet) I think could become a great little gem, proudly filling the little niche it created for itself.    … Expand
  10. JFaraday
    Apr 6, 2021
    7
    At times I really enjoyed this game, and at other times I was really annoyed with it. While the game shines in its platforming and simple-yet-charming style, there were several quality of life issues I encountered. The biggest annoyance was the multiple loading-screens required to get back to Lord Sirion after a death: 1. Death loading screen 2. Entering the Fire Chamber door loadingAt times I really enjoyed this game, and at other times I was really annoyed with it. While the game shines in its platforming and simple-yet-charming style, there were several quality of life issues I encountered. The biggest annoyance was the multiple loading-screens required to get back to Lord Sirion after a death: 1. Death loading screen 2. Entering the Fire Chamber door loading screen. 3. Unskippable cutscene of opening boss arena door. 4. Thankfully skippable cutscene of Sirion coming out to fight.
    I'm no stranger to long walk-backs to fight a boss (played all From Software games), but these were the most tedious.
    Those Void levels were all a blast though (except the elevator ones).
    Similar situation for the final boss.
    The game starts out strong, but has some pacing issues and struggled to get me across the finish line with enthusiasm.
    As the others say, yes, Blue Fire is derivative in almost every aspect of the game. But the devs still made something overall fun, so I'll take it. Look forward to seeing what they release next and how they grow beyond Blue Fire.    … Expand
  11. Weight4Jake
    Aug 9, 2021
    7
    If you think you can handle the most hard and particularly specific platforming with mediocre combat, and no map or indicator of where you need to go, then this game is for you. I’m a huge platforming fan and had high hopes for this game, but it’s way too difficult and there’s no map. I looked up what I was supposed to do online and even with knowing what to do and how to do it, I stillIf you think you can handle the most hard and particularly specific platforming with mediocre combat, and no map or indicator of where you need to go, then this game is for you. I’m a huge platforming fan and had high hopes for this game, but it’s way too difficult and there’s no map. I looked up what I was supposed to do online and even with knowing what to do and how to do it, I still had trouble getting to where I needed to go. It’s not a horrible game but be ready for frustrations and be sure to have a YouTube walkthrough pulled up so that you know what to do and where to go next.… Expand
  12. Ginger_Avenger
    Nov 21, 2022
    6
    I could basically call it a 3D style hollow knight, as both games have good art direction and occasionally annoying / frustrating platforming. Also Zelda with the voids (dungeons). The controls are pretty good but some areas require a bit too much finesse for the mild jank the controls provide. The exploration was great and I would have rated this game higher, but they had late gameI could basically call it a 3D style hollow knight, as both games have good art direction and occasionally annoying / frustrating platforming. Also Zelda with the voids (dungeons). The controls are pretty good but some areas require a bit too much finesse for the mild jank the controls provide. The exploration was great and I would have rated this game higher, but they had late game bosses that were different versions of the same monster, and the collecting you have to do to unlock two of them felt like a let down as one in particular weakly recycled previous areas for the purpose. Still, if you like 3D platformers, I think you'll like this one just fine.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

28
#28 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2021

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
71

Mixed or average reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 21
  3. Negative: 2 out of 21
  1. Cubed3
    Jun 7, 2022
    70
    There's a slow burn to this fire, but it's certainly worth waiting for it to catch and see the sparks. Blue Fire offers up a challenging, and dynamic 3D platforming experience that is sure to make it a cult hit with those brave enough to persevere through the frustrating opening - but 'cult' it will remain, with little chance of garnering attention from wider audiences, sadly, as there are just too many issues to elevate this to something more. The recycling of areas in that second half combined with the flimsy fundamentals stops this from becoming a classic.
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  2. Everyeye.it
    Aug 22, 2021
    72
    By blowing on the dormant flames of Souls iconography, Blue Fire brings an experience with an authentic and challenging character to the panorama of independent development, evoking an almost melancholy scent. The inspiration from names such as The Legend of Zelda and Super Mario does not betray any lack of personality, on the contrary it reveals the attention of a team - that of ROBI Studios - which has been able to combine all the influences sought elsewhere with great coherence and playful effectiveness. The result is a 3D metroidvania that makes good platforming its stylistic code, net of the frustration inherent in some phases, on which, however, the goodness of the proposed challenge and the charisma of its atmospheres allow you to easily fly over.
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  3. Het Nieuwsblad
    Mar 18, 2021
    40
    3D platform games are too often intended for kids. Where Mario and co. are a proverbial splash pool, Blue Fire immediately throws the player into an Olympic-sized swimming pool, filled with piranhas and other mischief. The concept of the game is great, unfortunately it is poorly executed.
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