Blades of Fire

Blades of Fire is a welcome return to MercurySteam and I think it’s one that is going to be a sleeper hit. The way the story unfolds and pushes the player to explore the environment that is littered with hidden fights and upgrades that will help Aran become stronger. Even the characters that players will meet along the way are fun and add something to the overall game, and I for one loved Adso but if players like to adventure in silence the developers have allowed for that which is neat. If you are a fan of big, adventure action-RPG’s with a beautiful land to explore and tons of weapons to make and use; then Blades of Fire is going to be for you.

Blades of Fire has all the elements to be a memorable action-adventure game but a few questionable decisions in my eyes have made it slightly fade in the crowd. Great graphics, complex combat, and interesting forging mechanics but the lack of direction sadly steers the game into becoming repetitive.

MercurySteam has created a coherent, risky and honest work, which vindicates the role of the videogame as a deep experience, in which mechanics, art and story converge into an indivisible whole. It is not perfect, but it is essential for those who are looking for something more than a simple digital pastime in their next adventure.

Blades of Fire comes from the hand of Mercury Steam as a curious breath of fresh air to action games. Its gameplay system, although it has elements that could be improved, shines with its own personality, which also fits perfectly with a fantastic design. It's not the best game of its genre, but it doesn't pretend to be, and it offers a series of ideas that work really well.

Blades of Fire is a demanding action-adventure shaped by MercurySteam’s distinct style: rich worlds, deep systems, and thoughtful combat centered on its excellent weapon-forging mechanics. However, cryptic objectives, confusing level design, and an unremarkable story can frustrate. Despite these flaws, its strong identity and rewarding progression make it a worthwhile journey for patient players seeking a unique, handcrafted challenge.

Blades of Fire is a game that you have to adapt to, rather than the other way around. Embrace its systems and it will reward you, but there is practically no scope for playing how you want to play.

Blades of Fire marks a welcome return for MercurySteam to large-scale games. Its melee-focused combat is deeply satisfying and carries a distinct identity, no small feat in the crowded soulslike genre. If only its objectives and level design weren't quite so convoluted.

Blades of Fire lets you be both the hero and the blacksmith, crafting unique weapons that drive the game’s progression. While the story feels a bit disjointed, the game offers a solid combat system and an engaging world that rewards exploration.

Blades of Fire is not going to be a game for everyone. It’s beautiful, runs great, and has some design decisions that made me pull my hair out. It’s incredibly long, and I do not think that it benefits the game in any meaningful way.

Blades Of Fire gets in its own way sometimes with busywork-heavy quest design, but the unique combat and enjoyable weapon crafting save it.

If Blades of Fire manages to strike a chord, it won't be for its narrative, nor its world, but its violence.

Blades of Fire is probably going to end up as one of those games people refer to as a PS2-ass video game (complimentary), and I feel that. It’s a kind of game that feels out of place in time, but benefits from its accidental time travel by doing things a PlayStation 2-era console simply can’t. And in turn, it benefits from not being beholden to several more decades of convention that burden so many games coming out today, in a much more risk-averse and audience-starved environment. In that respect, Blades of Fire is pretty cool and interesting. It also annoys the bejeezus out of me at every possible opportunity. But I’m glad I played it, which is way more than I can say about Samus Returns.