Blades of Fire: A Deep Dive into MercurySteam’s Action-Adventure Romp on PS5
Blades of Fire, the latest offering from MercurySteam, known for their work on Castlevania: Lords of Shadow and Metroid Dread, has arrived on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC. This action-adventure game blends elements from God of War and the Souls series, creating a unique experience centered around crafting and combat. But does it forge its own legend, or simply rehash familiar ground?
Several reviews highlight the game's strengths and weaknesses. Let's delve into what makes Blades of Fire a compelling, yet somewhat flawed, adventure.
A World Forged in Familiar Flames
The narrative of Blades of Fire unfolds in a dark fantasy world, where ancient beings known as The Forgers once reigned. Following a cataclysmic event, humanity inherited the secret of The Steel, only to see their power usurped by the tyrannical Queen Nerea. Players step into the role of Aran de Lira, tasked with stopping the Queen and restoring balance.
While the storyline itself may tread familiar territory, reminiscent of fantasy epics from the 80s, the game introduces an engaging sense of adventure. Aran's journey is filled with side quests and detours, offering a vast world to explore alongside his companion, Adso. This dynamic mirrors that of Kratos and Atreus from the modern God of War games, and provides a compelling dynamic.
Combat: A Dance of Steel and Stamina
Blades of Fire's combat mechanics draw heavily from FromSoftware's Souls series. Players must manage their stamina, dodge enemy attacks, and find openings to strike. The game offers a unique directional attack system, allowing players to target specific body parts with varying degrees of effectiveness. A key element of combat is adapting to enemy resistances and vulnerabilities by switching weapons mid-fight.
"Featuring a relatively high difficulty level on even the easiest setting (at least when it comes to boss encounters), combat is very much in the FromSoftware mould, with a few novel twists," notes a review.
"The game truly believes that taking the time to explore its rustic fantasy locales, poking around sandy ruins and enormous crumbling castles instead of rushing from one waypoint to the next, is the heart of the experience" points out another reviewer.
The Forge: Crafting Your Destiny
Central to Blades of Fire is the forging mechanic. Players can craft a wide variety of weapons, each with its own stats and attributes. Schematics are earned by defeating enemies, and materials are gathered throughout the game world. The Forge offers a customizable crafting system with a mini-game that adds depth to the process.
Weapons degrade with use and must be repaired or recycled. This system encourages players to experiment with different weapon types and constantly refine their arsenal. The crafting system, however, can become grindy, requiring players to defeat specific enemies multiple times to obtain rare components.
A World of Beauty and Repetition
Graphically, Blades of Fire shines on the PS5 Pro, maintaining a high frame rate even during intense battles. While the art style may be considered generic, and the enemy design somewhat lackluster, the game's environments are visually appealing.
However, the game overstays welcome. Some reviewers criticize the repetitive nature of combat and the lack of enemy variety. The level design, while inspired by Soulslike games, can be convoluted and confusing. Despite these flaws, the boss battles offer a high level of challenge and excitement.
Final Verdict: A Steely Romp with Blunt Edges
Blades of Fire is a lengthy action-adventure game that offers solid combat and a deep crafting system. While it may not reach the heights of its inspirations, it provides a compelling experience for fans of the genre. However, the game's generic setting, repetitive combat, and convoluted level design may test players' patience.
What are your thoughts on Blades of Fire? Share your impressions in the comments below!
