Review: Blades of Fire

@brunosbom
Jun 18
3 min read

Forge your own destiny in a ravaged land where steel has turned to stone and only your weapon can turn the tide.

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From the same developers of Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, it was expected that Blades of Fire would bring something unique, and that is exactly what we have here. MercurySteam is a renowned studio that has worked with companies like Konami and Nintendo.

GAMEPLAY / VISUAL

We dive into a dark and brutal journey, with clear inspirations from Souls-like games. The story revolves around Aran of Lira, a lone warrior who wields a sacred hammer capable of forging steel weapons in a world where all metal has been turned to stone by a curse. At his side is Adso of Zelk, a young scholar who follows and documents his journey toward Queen Nerea’s throne.

The art style may feel unusual at first glance. It resembles titles from the Xbox 360 era, like Brütal Legend, but with much smoother and more polished execution. While it may initially seem outdated, the visuals impress through boldness and originality. The game does not use cel shading but instead builds a distinctive visual identity that stands out for its quality.

Gameplay is intense and highly immersive. The combat system blends classic hack and slash mechanics with the precision and challenge expected from Souls-style games. Each controller button serves a specific purpose, not only determining the strength of the attack but also the direction it will come from. Light, heavy, and directional strikes combine to create a deep and strategic system.

The game's greatest innovation lies in its forging mechanic. During weapon crafting, the player actively participates in the process, hammering specific areas of the anvil. This directly impacts the final quality of the weapon. Additionally, it's possible to customize several features, such as the blade’s curvature (convex or concave), the style of the pommel, the type of material used, and other traits that vary depending on the chosen weapon. The arsenal is vast, ranging from daggers and spears to hammers and longswords.

ACHIEVEMENTS

The achievements in Blades of Fire are designed for players who want to fully engage with the experience. Most are tied to story progression, but there is a good variety of secondary achievements involving weapon crafting, mastery of combat mechanics, and exploration. The game does not offer easy rewards, which may turn away more casual players, but it is very satisfying for those who enjoy meaningful challenges with creative goals. Personally, I think this may alienate the casual audience a bit, but it’s fair to say that none of the achievements feel unfair or excessive. They are well balanced.

TRAILER OFFICIAL

RESUME

Blades of Fire is a game that surprises with the depth of its mechanics and the originality of its forging system. Despite its obvious inspiration from games like Dark Souls, it builds its own identity in both visuals and gameplay. The narrative serves more as a backdrop and doesn’t stand out as much as the combat and weapon crafting, which are the true core of the experience.

Visually, it may not appeal to everyone at first glance, but it delivers a solid and well-thought-out aesthetic. Highly recommended for those looking for something new in the Soulslike genre, offering a unique handcrafted approach and a mysterious universe that slowly unfolds.