Blades of Fire Review

MercurySteam has long been making action-adventure games. They have repeatedly shown that they can masterfully combine intense combat with exploration and story, from their early games to the cult classic Castlevania: Lords of Shadow series and, most recently, the critically acclaimed Metroid Dread on the Switch.

Their most recent game, Blades of Fire, is a bold move into the dark fantasy souls-like mixed with Metroidvania elements. It's not just a copy of other games in the same genre; it actively challenges and changes what you think a weapon-based action RPG should be like.

In most souls-like games, you need to gather all the powerful weapons or keep upgrading your favorite sword. Blades of Fire, on the other hand, has a radical system for how long weapons last that forces you to adapt. MercurySteam is telling you, "You won't just stay in your comfort zone here," with this tough love. They take a chance that pays off, giving a genre that can feel stuck in its ways some new life.

It's you who step into Aran de Lira's worn-out boots. Aran is a blacksmith who lives alone in the woods. When an old friend shows up, his peaceful life is shattered, and almost right away, the friend is brutally killed. Aran is driven by a desire for revenge and sets out to overthrow the cruel queen who is to blame. Along the way, he has to find his way through a world full of blood and darkness.

But don't think Blades of Fire is a dull, dark slog. Even though the setting is full of nightmare creatures and violent warriors who cut their throats and turn into deadly spinning hazards, the tone of the story is surprisingly happy and pulp-inspired. Adso, Aran's friend, a pacifist scholar who is writing about the dangerous animals, adds humor and warmth to the story. 

Their relationship is refreshing because it strikes a balance between bloody fights and genuine moments of friendship. One of the best things about the game is how it mixes dark and funny elements. You can do a lot more than just cut and hack in Blades of Fire. Combat, making weapons, and exploring are what the game is all about.

Aran, the main character, doesn't level up in the way that most RPG characters do. Instead, you move forward by crafting and improving weapons, defeating enemies to get materials, and exploring the world to find hidden upgrades that make your health and stamina better. There are many rewards for exploring, with secret areas spread out in forests, deserts, icy tundras, and huge castles, among other biomes.

Combat is what you do most of the time. You can use claymores, sabers, polearms, axes, daggers, and spears, among other weapons. Each one has its own feel that you need to learn. In some games like souls-like, you can hide a new weapon and always use your old favorite, but in this one, every weapon breaks at some point. Instead of relying on a single "murder toy," this degradation mechanic makes you try out and get good at different ways to play.

The crafting system is very deep and complicated. As soon as you kill enough of a certain enemy, you can make their weapon, which encourages you to get involved in the fight. The types of wood and steel you use for your weapon affect how long it lasts, how much stamina it uses, and how much damage it does. One interesting thing is that there are no shields. However, some materials let you block a few hits with your weapon.

Blades of Fire's battles are like a dance where timing, positioning, and weapon choice are all very important. You can use light and heavy attacks, dodge, and a parry mechanic that rewards timing that is just right. In some games like souls-like, dodging is as easy as tapping once. In this game, however, tapping once only moves Aran a small distance, while tapping twice does a dodge roll that takes time and stamina but protects you better from damage.

For some reason, heavy attacks are especially satisfying. Each successful hit causes the screen to shake and can take out a lot of an enemy's health. This attack can be risky but very rewarding if timed right, and some weapons have longer wind-ups for it. Even though parrying is hard, it feels very rewarding, and it reminds me of MercurySteam's time in Metroid Dread when they perfected a similar mechanic.

What makes the combat unique is how much it lets you try out different weapons. Because weapons break, you have to learn how to use them in different ways and how they react to different attacks. By showing resistance and weaknesses, the UI helps you pick the right weapon for the enemy in front of you. This keeps you from having to waste time on the wrong weapon, which happens a lot in other Souls-like games.

But the system that checks how long a weapon lasts can slow things down. Sometimes the flow is broken by having to keep going back to the forge or looking for crafting supplies. Some players might find this boring, but it helps them think strategically and manage their resources better. It's not easy, but it works.

One of the best things about Blades of Fire is the way you fight. It's fun, requires skill, and encourages change instead of memorization by heart. It becomes second nature to parry, dodge, and choose the right attack direction, which makes every fight exciting and tense.

Some people don't like the durability mechanic. Some people will get angry if they have to give up a favorite weapon in the middle of a game or constantly deal with materials and repairs. But it's also a smart design choice that keeps battles interesting and makes you work hard at crafting. If you don't use traditional levels, your skill and your ability to make and fix weapons are what really show your progress.

Blades of Fire doesn't use experience points or normal leveling like most RPGs do. Instead, it uses a system where crafting materials drop. When you kill enemies, you get the materials you need to make new weapons or improve the ones you already have. The more gear you get, the more connected exploration and combat become, giving each encounter meaning.

You can also find health and stamina boosts hidden all over the world, which makes you want to explore them. These upgrades have a direct effect on your ability to stay alive in battle and for a long time. This design makes you want to explore every corner, combining the best parts of exploring in Metroidvania games with the tension of souls-like games.

Blades of Fire has beautiful graphics that create a dark fantasy world full of creepy and strange creatures. The settings, which range from creepy forests to ominous castles, are very detailed and atmospheric, but the themes aren't always very original. The truly impressive part is the design of the monsters, which is filled with happy creativity: flying ant colonies, a purple ogre king, and strange enemies that use pogo sticks as swords.

A lot of blood and gore is shown, and enemies are cut up and sprayed with blood to make battles more realistic. The animation is very good, with smooth weapon swings, quick enemy movements, and nice visual feedback when you hit something.

Sound design creates atmosphere and works well. The clanging of steel, the bone-crunching impacts, and the eerie soundscape all pull you into the harsh world. The voice acting is good, especially when Aran and Adso are joking around, which makes the dark setting feel warmer.

The only annoying sound is a ghost NPC that says the same nervous line over and over, breaking the mood with overused barks. Aside from this, the sound is mostly a good addition to the game's tone.

Blades of Fire is brave and great in the souls-like and Metroidvania style. MercurySteam has taken some risks, especially with how long weapons last, that might turn off some players, but will ultimately make the game more fun and interesting. The mix of brutal battles, careful crafting, and exploration makes for a deep, sometimes hard, and often thrilling adventure.

The relationship between Aran and Adso gives the story a good mix of darkness, humor, and charm, and the world is full of creative enemies and settings. Combat feels heavy and requires skill; timing and smart weapon choices are more important than brute force. The crafting system adds another level of depth that makes you think about each swing and piece of material.

There are a few annoying NPC lines and a few repetitive crafting trips that slow things down, but they're the only problems with an otherwise great experience. Are you sick of souls-like games that let you keep getting more and more weapons or keep grinding the same upgrades for your weapons? Blades of Fire will push you out of your comfort zone, and you'll be better for it.