When I first sat down to play developer MercurySteam's latest project, Blades of Fire, I anticipated a return to the studio's Castlevania: Lords of Shadow roots, infused with modern elements from God of War. An hour into the game, it felt more like a Soulslike, but with a twist—here, all the stats are embedded in the weapons rather than an RPG character sheet. By the end of my three-hour hands-on session, it became clear that Blades of Fire both embraces and defies these comparisons. It stands on familiar ground but weaves its borrowed elements and fresh ideas into a unique take on the action-adventure genre.
At first glance, Blades of Fire may remind you of Sony Santa Monica's work with its dark fantasy setting, heavy-hitting combat, and a third-person camera that keeps you close to the action. During the demo, I navigated a labyrinthine map filled with treasure chests, accompanied by a young companion who aided in puzzle-solving. Our quest led us to a woman of the wilds who resided in a house atop a giant creature. The game borrows heavily from FromSoftware, including anvil-shaped checkpoints that restore your limited health potions and respawn enemies. Yet, despite these similarities, it never feels like a mere clone.
The game's world evokes a nostalgic 1980s fantasy vibe, where characters like Conan the Barbarian would fit right in among the muscular soldiers, and bizarre orangutan-like enemies bouncing on bamboo pogo sticks could have stepped out of Jim Henson's Labyrinth. The storyline, too, feels retro—an evil queen has transformed steel into stone, and it's up to you, playing as Aran de Lira, a blacksmith demigod, to defeat her and restore the world's metal. However, the narrative and characters seem somewhat generic, reminiscent of many overlooked Xbox 360-era games.
Blades of Fire's true strength lies in its mechanics. The combat system is built around directional attacks utilizing every face button on the controller. On a PlayStation controller, for instance, triangle targets the head, cross the torso, while square and circle swipe left and right. By observing an enemy's stance, you can break through their defenses strategically. For example, a soldier protecting their face can be defeated by aiming for the torso. The visceral impact of each strike is accentuated by graphic blood effects.
The demo's first major boss, a slobbering troll, showcased the combat system's depth. Its second health bar could only be depleted after dismembering it, with the limb removed depending on your attack angle. Striking from the right could sever its left arm, disarming it, while a well-aimed strike could even remove its face, leaving it blind and vulnerable until it regrew its eyes.
Weapons in Blades of Fire require meticulous attention. Unlike most games, weapons dull with use, reducing damage with each successive strike. Sharpening stones are necessary to maintain their effectiveness, or you can switch stances, as the edge and tip wear down independently. This adds a tangible quality to the weapons, influenced by your combat style.
Much like Monster Hunter, you'll need to find moments during combat to sharpen your sword. However, all weapons have a durability meter that eventually leads to them shattering. You can repair them at an anvil checkpoint or melt them down to craft new ones—a unique feature of Blades of Fire. The game's forging system is extensive, starting with choosing a basic weapon template and tweaking its design on a chalkboard. For example, adjusting a spear's pole length and head shape affects its stats, such as range and effectiveness at slashing or piercing. Different materials also influence weight and stamina requirements, enhancing the crafting experience. You can even name your creations.
The crafting process doesn't end with design; you must physically hammer out the metal on an anvil. This involves a detailed minigame where you control the length, force, and angle of each strike to match a curved line on the screen. Overworking the steel weakens the weapon, so precision is key. Your performance earns a star rating, determining how many times you can repair the weapon before it's lost forever.
The forging system is an innovative addition, but the minigame felt frustratingly unclear. I hope improvements or a better tutorial are introduced before the game's release, as it's crucial to Blades of Fire's unique appeal.
MercurySteam's vision extends beyond the demo, aiming for players to form deep attachments to their crafted weapons, which they'll carry throughout a 60-70 hour journey. As you explore and find new metals, you can reforge your weapons to enhance their properties for tougher challenges. The death system reinforces this bond; upon defeat, you drop your weapon, respawning without it. While it's inspired by Dark Souls, it fosters a more meaningful connection with your armaments, which remain in the world for you to recover.
MercurySteam's adoption of ideas from Dark Souls and its successors is no surprise, given FromSoftware's influence on action games. Blades of Fire also serves as a spiritual successor to Blade of Darkness, developed by the studio's founding members in the early 2000s, seen by some as a precursor to the Souls series. The developers are building on their past work and incorporating advancements from other studios.
While Blades of Fire draws heavily from its influences—Blade of Darkness's brutal combat, FromSoftware's innovations, and God of War's world design—it ultimately forges its own path. It's not just another Soulslike or God of War clone; it's a distinct blend of ideas that creates a unique gaming experience.
I have some reservations about the game's generic dark fantasy setting and potential lack of variety, having faced the same miniboss multiple times within three hours. However, the intricate relationship between your forged blades and the enemies you encounter is captivating. In an era where complex games like Elden Ring and Monster Hunter have gained mainstream appeal, Blades of Fire has the potential to offer something truly intriguing to the gaming community.
Blades of Fire Screenshots
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