Blades of Fire, MercurySteam's latest release, feels like a spiritual successor to Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, but with an extremely original and narratively solid approach. It's a game that emphasizes exploration and combat through a system that, while not perfect, is varied and entertaining. Of course, I can't overlook the Forge mechanic, which adds an extremely interesting system to the overall experience, around which much of the gameplay revolves.

Blades of Fire is a thrilling third-person action-adventure that draws you into a rich, mysterious fantasy world full of lore, puzzles, and rewarding exploration, with intense, tactical combat and a deeply satisfying forge system that make it a must-play for anyone who loves challenging, story-driven games.

Blades of Fire is a lengthy and substantial quest, dense with optional challenges and secret encounters. There is no shortage of similar action games out there, but Mercury Steam proves that their work on Metroid Dread was no fluke. Blades of Fire is easily one of the best options out there, and it achieves epic AAA quality without being a $70 game, too.

Blades of Fire was a game I preemptively assumed would be just another soulslike. What I found instead was not only deeply rewarding combat, but also a crafting system that is unlike anything I’ve seen before. These, coupled with the engaging story, create an experience that is much better than I’d imagined. If you’re a fan of challenging games or want to experience a title with original mechanics, then this is definitely one to pick up!

Blades of Fire, el nuevo juego del estudio español MercurySteam, llega sin hacer mucho ruido pero dispuesto a convertirse en una de las sorpresas de 2025. Una fábula de fuego y acero que mezcla con bastante buen gusto elementos reconocibles de distintos géneros y los hace girar en torno al poderoso concepto de la forja de armas y la profundidad con la que el estudio madrileño ha dotado al concepto. Al poco que os llame la atención, Blades of Fire es un juego que no deberíais dejar de probar, os atrapará.

It’s ambitious, can be occasionally ambiguous, but Blades of Fire is relentlessly original and delivers a fantasy world unlike anything else you've experienced. Blades of Fire is a glorious oddity.

Blades of Fire non è un titolo adatto a tutti, un’esperienza pensata specialmente a quella fetta di giocatori che cercano una narrativa criptica che al tempo stesso vanta un sistema di combattimento galvanizzante e senza compromessi. Se siete interessati ad un titolo sorprendente, con una buona longevità, Blades of Fire potrebbe fare al caso vostro, una release che merita la giusta attenzione.

I was quite taken in by the story of Blades Of Fire, which is a good start, but I was further drawn in by the intriguing and fun forging mechanic. Building my own weapon and being able to add my own little touches to it really helped invest me in combat in a way I never thought of before. If you like action-adventure weapon play with a touch of magic and a lot of monster slaying, I'd say grab a copy-it's a lot of fun!

Get past the slow early game, and Blades of Fire really opens up into an interesting and highly satisfying souls-lite action adventure game. Though the defining forge mechanic could still use some work in my opinion, it still sets the game apart from other titles and makes for a very personalized ARPG experience.

Con excelente sistema de combate y con la posibilidad de forjar descomunales armas, estamos ante una experiencia fresca y que no es el típico juego soulslike. Blades of Fire se diferencia del resto a su manera y nos permite disfrutar de su variado y amplio mundo, es recomendable seas o no un fan de este estilo de juego, siendo una grata sorpresa, proveniente del talento de un estudio español.

Blades of Fire no busca deslumbrar con grandes artificios, sino convencer desde la solidez, el carácter y una propuesta bien definida. MercurySteam firma un RPG de acción y aventura que combina con acierto tradición y novedad, evocando el espíritu de los clásicos mientras introduce mecánicas propias que le otorgan identidad. Puede tener asperezas, como todo metal recién forjado, pero bajo su superficie late un diseño valiente, cuidado y con alma.

Blades of Fire es uno de los juegos españoles más ambiciosos de los últimos tiempos y una propuesta de acción digna de aplaudir al traer cierta renovación a un género copado de juegos. Con un sistema de combate directamente vinculado a elementos roleros y a la exploración, este título enganchará a los amantes de los RPG de acción más exigentes.

Blades of Fire ha un impatto anonimo che consigliamo calorosamente di superare. Dopo i primi passi, infatti, si entra in un mondo vasto e ammaliante, ben architettato e gradevolissimo da scoprire e affrontare. Il combat system stupisce, coinvolge e soprattutto diverte. Come diverte l’esplorazione, fortificata da un level design intelligente e mai noioso, seppur minacciato da una mappa poco chiara e da mancanza di linee guida “moderne” (mancanza che per alcuni potrebbe essere un pregio). La storia è un crescente, così come è un crescente l’intero gioco. Una perla sapientemente forgiata e che suggeriamo di non perdere.

Blades of Fire may not be remembered as the most original action-adventure game of this generation, but MercurySteam's latest effort is still well worth playing for fans of the genre. While its convoluted level design can be confusing at times and the well-crafted combat system doesn't evolve much throughout the journey, the engaging smithing mechanics and the touch of grounded realism in the fighting, without overcomplicating things, make Aran and Adso's quest to slay the queen an enjoyable adventure.

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 ci ha decisamente conquistato: il lavoro di MercurySteam tiene tranquillamente testa a team e motori grafici più blasonati offrendo un'esperienza di gioco gradevole e appassionante – salvo qualche occasionale sbavatura – in quello che non è “il solito souls-like” ma un gioco con idee interessanti ed esclusive e contemporaneamente uno sviluppo vasto ed intrigante. Una vera sorpresa in un panorama videoludico sempre più pieno di sequel e “more of the same”.

Blades of Fire is brave and great in the soul-like and Metroidvania style. MercurySteam has taken some risks, especially with the length of weapons, which might turn off some players, but will ultimately make the game more enjoyable and engaging.

Blades of Fire shakes up the usual action RPG formula with its sharp directional combat and weapon crafting that actually matters. The controls take some time to click, but once they do, the gameplay really hits its stride.

New action-adventure worth checking out on PS5

Blades of Fire is an excellent Soulslike that boasts a unique and cohesive blacksmithing theme throughout with visceral combat and plenty of secrets to uncover. ⚒️

Con todo esto, tenemos que Blades of Fire es una obra que combina lo mejor de los juegos Souls-like con la accesibilidad de títulos más orientados a la acción. Su sistema de combate táctico, la innovadora forja de armas y su atmósfera única lo convierten en una propuesta atractiva para los amantes del género. Aunque presenta algunos apartados que podrían haber sido mejores, especialmente en lo que respecta a la narrativa y ciertos elementos de diseño, el título demuestra el potencial de MercurySteam para crear experiencias memorables. Con Blades of Fire, el estudio español ha logrado forjar una nueva leyenda en el mundo de los videojuegos, una que, con el tiempo, podría convertirse en un referente dentro del género de acción y aventura.

Dall’altro, l’esperienza di gioco in generale può risultare troppo diluita, con quest frammentate e obiettivi poco chiari, che possono compromettere il ritmo dell’esperienza. In definitiva, Blades of Fire non ha paura di allontanarsi dai canoni consolidati degli action per proporre una visione certamente autoriale. Non è un titolo immediato, né così indulgente, ma saprà gratificarvi se siete alla ricerca di una esperienza nuova tra le tante uscite di quest’anno.

Blades of Fire nos regala un fascinante acercamiento a la aventura de acción, utilizando ingredientes del Action RPG y el souls like dentro de un inmenso mundo, para dar una mezcla con un sabor único . Su espectacular y adictivo sistema de batalla, en combinación con las enormes posibilidades del sistema de forja, convierten Blades of Fire en uno de los mejores trabajos de Mercury Steam hasta la fecha, a pesar de sus asperezas.

Blades of Fire manages to feel original, lovable, and born of genuine passion, despite the near overwhelming number of problems that could have extinguished it.

MercurySteam follow up the career high point of Metroid Dread with a dark fantasy soulslike full of neat ideas. Blades of Fire dares to make the case for weapon degradation being a good thing and succeeds. The fun characters, secret-stuffed level design, and terrific combat don’t hurt either. A really pleasant surprise.

Blades of Fire is a very good game, blending tough action RPG combat with a fun and unique weapon forging. The story is a little by the numbers and exploration does have a lot of back and forth, but the different regions and enemies look great and the narrative is elevated by Aran and Adso's relationship.

Blades of Fire doesn't try to reinvent the Souls-like wheel, but it does add some new aspects to it. With a unique weapon crafting mechanic and varied combat system, it's only let down is the unfairness of combat itself. Still, it tells a good story through its leads, one that does entertain throughout.

Blades of Fire isn’t for everyone, and that’s fine. Losing your best weapon only to be transported right back to the beginning of a segment with only degraded and broken remaining weapons can be a truly painful experience, but if you persevere and push on, you’ll soon discover that Blades of Fire is a real gem. Its original focus on weapon building is refreshing, and there’s something about it that feels modern and yet so distinctly old-school. Blades of Fire is challenging and punishing, it’s true, but as Taylor Swift once said, “Nothing safe is worth the drive.” Prevail through the peril, and Blades of Fire will reward you.

Perhaps mislabeled as a Soulslike, Blades of Fire is a third-person fantasy action game with RPG elements. Its combat is exemplary. Finding the right weapon and the right place to strike each enemy is a well-thought-out system that feels great. While story is a bit bland, it’s told through an impressive blend of cinematic cutscenes, and a cryptic info drip. I loved the amount of detail in the environments. Like its title, Blades of Fire suffers from aspects that are kind of generic. The visual design and musical score emulate Hollywood fantasy to a fault, and the gameplay is excellent. Fans of action RPGs can safely ignore the Souslike label and enjoy this very accessible game.

Gemessen an der gigantischen Größe von Blades of Fire und dem Spaß, den seine einzigartigen Elemente ins traditionelle Action-Adventure einbringen, sind derartige Probleme in der Spielerführung aber eher nachrangiger Natur. Überwiegend kommt man in Blades of Fire sehr gut voran, ist neugierig auf das, was nach der nächsten Leiter auf einen wartet – und manchmal sogar ein bisschen nervös. Siege über (Mini-)Bosse fühlen sich verdient und lohnend an und das Freischalten und Schmieden neuer Waffen ist wahnsinnig motivierend. Sogar das Minispiel dazu ist gut gelöst. Dass sich meine Schöpfungen selbst farblich, je nach Wahl des Stahls der einzelnen Komponenten, unterscheiden und ich ihnen einen Namen geben darf, lässt mich nur noch tiefer in die Fantasie eintauchen, ein mit allen Wassern gewaschener Meisterschmied zu sein. Das ist in der Form einzigartig.

Stilistisch ist sie dennoch über weite Strecken sehr überzeugend. Das gilt für das Umgebungs-, Charakter- und Monsterdesign bis hin zu den Animationen. Meckern können wir da nicht, zumal die Grafik auf der PlayStation 5 rein technisch betrachtet deutlich über dem Niveau eines Elden Ring liegt.

Als ich den Prolog spielte, habe ich Schlimmstes befürchtet; spätestens als ich das unspaßige Schmiede-Minispiel kennenlernte und fälschlicherweise dachte, davon hinge die Qualität der Waffe ab. Besonders aber erzählerisch fand ich den Einstieg schwach. Doch so können erste Eindrücke täuschen. Denn ob in Bezug auf die Kämpfe mit ihrem hohen Fokus auf die Waffengattungen, das Design der Welt und der Gegner oder auch die Story und meinem Bezug zu Protagonist Aran: da wird Blades of Fire immer besser.

"Blades of Fire" hat uns überaus positiv überrascht. Nach dem zweifelhaften Prolog hätten wir eher noch auf Mittelmass getippt, aber das Game fängt sich rasch und wird mit nahezu jeder Spielstunde besser. Daran kann nicht mal das dämliche Schmiede-Minispiel etwas ändern. Ein Überflieger ist "Blades of Fire" nicht geworden, allerdings ein richtig gutes Action-Adventure, das viele eigene Ideen mitbringt und trotz kleinerer Parallelen weit entfernt von einem weiteren Souls-Klon ist. Gerade die Kämpfe, die vielfältigen Gegnertypen und die gelungene Architektur der Welt machen Spass, weshalb wir "Blades of Fire" Genre-Fans ohne grössere Einschränkungen empfehlen können.

Blades of Fire è un'ottima avventura in un mondo fantasy tanto affascinante quanto brutale, nonché un notevole gioco d'azione in cui a essere centrale è la creazione di armi variegate per combattere le diverse tipologie di nemici. Attinge un po' al sistema narrativo e alla progressione dei nuovi God of War, recuperando spunti dal sistema di combattimento di For Honor e una generale impostazione "alla Souls" (ma molto più accessibile, state tranquilli; e poi comunque ci sono tre livelli di difficoltà). Nel complesso si tratta di una produzione inattesa, che abbiamo accolto con piacere e che riconferma come, in fondo, non serva chissà che cosa per creare un videogioco divertente ed efficace. Bastano poche idee purché solide, e, se gli spunti provengono da contesti opposti, amalgamarli tra loro può portare a soluzioni efficaci e inattese. Siate dunque pronti, Forgiatori: c'è una regina malvagia che attende il vostro arrivo, ignara che qualcuno vanti ancora dell'acciaio in un mondo di pietra.

Blades of Fire è in definitiva un’opera che parla a chi sa apprezzare il bello oltre l'estetica, a chi cerca nel videogioco non solo l’intrattenimento, ma anche la possibilità di attraversare, comprendere e, in un certo senso, forgiare se stesso. Imperfetto e un po' grezzo a un primo sguardo, ma incredibilmente solido e profondo, il nuovo progetto di MercurySteam è l'ennesimo esempio di come non servano budget faraonici per creare un gran bel gioco.

Blades of Fire non è un gioco perfetto, ma è un titolo coraggioso. MercurySteam ha scelto di innovare, introducendo un sistema di combattimento mai visto prima in questi termini, oltre a una struttura di forgiatura delle armi che stimola la creatività del giocatore. Alcune meccaniche hanno bisogno di ulteriori rifiniture, soprattutto nella responsività dei comandi e nella chiarezza visiva degli scontri più affollati, ma la base è solida e promettente. Non vi resta quindi che vestire i panni di Aran de Lira e provare a completare la sua missione.

Blades of Fire è una scommessa coraggiosa da parte di MercurySteam, che riesce a emergere nel panorama degli action-fantasy grazie a un’identità forte, un sistema di combattimento originale e una meccanica di crafting davvero ambiziosa. Pur attingendo a piene mani da un immaginario ben noto – tra God of War, Dark Souls e i classici sword & sorcery anni ’80 – il gioco trova la sua voce proprio quando osa di più: nelle forge, nel martello, nelle armi che si costruiscono e si perdono, nei combattimenti duri ma soddisfacenti.

MercurySteam ha demostrado una valentía poco común en la industria actual. En lugar de apostar por fórmulas seguras o secuelas de sus éxitos anteriores, ha creado una experiencia nueva y dura, pero profundamente gratificante. Blades of Fire no es un título redondo al arrastrar problemas en la accesibilidad del sistema de forja, el caos en combates multitudinarios y la ausencia de opciones gráficas.

Blades of Fire opts for smart systems instead of a spectacle. You forge your weapons yourself, discover everything without help and fight your pace. It is well -arranged, solid and grows with you. For players who love building, planning and freedom, this is a surprisingly strong and original RPG.

Blades of fire is a fun and challenging game that brings something different to the Soulslike table. If you are a fan of Soulslikes or want to try something a little different, I recommend giving it a go. It’s more forgiving than others in the genre and I know a lot of Souls purists will say it doesn’t belong, but I genuinely think this game is a bit of a sleeper hit, showing that not every game in the genre has to be so damn gloomy. Plus the ability to actually forge your weapons became a real highlight for me.

Blades of Fire does not want to please everyone. And that is precisely what makes it so special. It is a brave game that asks for patience and returns immersion, discovery and a sense of adventure that is no longer in style. If you are willing to let yourself be swept away by its proposal, it may mark you, but its virtue is also, sometimes, defect.

Blades of Fire is well crafted, beautiful, and engrossing. I would highly recommend it to RPG fans. It is a great contender in the area. It can be very difficult at times, but with patience and a steep learning curve, it becomes very rewarding.

Take God of War, Dark Souls and Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, put them in a blender along with some new elements such as being able to craft weapons and target specific body parts, and you have Blades of Fire. Its map design can be devious at times, and its enemy placement a little questionable, but overall it's an engaging, and rather epic, adventure.

Despite its flawed presentation and dated visuals, Blades of Fire remains an engaging experience, thanks to bold new ideas of combat, wide-enemy variety, and progression. If you're tired of the same old hack-and-slash titles, give this one a try.

Mercury System has cemented its position as one of the most prominent studios in game development across various genres. This time, with the resources to develop a massive game, they delivered a masterpiece in the form of a polished role-playing game (RPG) that combines depth and suspense.

Blades of Fire may not revolutionize the genre, but it brings enough quality, originality and heart to stand out in a crowded field. Its approach to crafting is genuinely engaging, its world is refreshing to explore, and the relationship between its two leads adds emotional depth to tale. Combat isn’t flawless, but when it clicks, it’s rewarding, tense, and complements the satisfying weapon crafting mechanics.

Blades of Fire tries something new with its combat, truly excelling as a result. Those that devote the time to its blacksmithing and weaponry will no doubt have fun slicing and dicing (and piercing and blunting).

Blades of Fire could have been another Soulslike with a gimmick. Instead, MercurySteam has delivered a well crafted world with an intriguing adventure and the means to let players really find out what works best for them when they need to take hold of some cold steel.

Blades of Fire is an action RPG following its own rules and trying to be something else, even though the similarity with the Souls titles and their influence is something it cannot escape from. However, the unique fighting mechanics, paired with the original weapon management, are enough to make this game very intriguing and to make it stand out in the sea of titles that mindlessly try to be like every other game out there.

In the end, Blades of Fire is an intriguing blend of old-school charm and modern design, like a game forged out of time. Its deep combat and weapon forging shine, even as its 3D Metroidvania structure occasionally falters. Backtracking and vague direction can frustrate, but the game’s heart and ambition stand out, especially with plenty of secrets to uncover in its sprawling fantasy world.

Blades of Fire is ultimately a game for those who can appreciate beauty beyond appearances-for those who seek in video games not just entertainment, but a chance to journey through, understand, and, in a way, forge themselves. Imperfect and a bit rough around the edges at first glance, yet incredibly solid and deep, MercurySteam's latest project is further proof that you don't need a massive budget to create something truly special.

The developers of Metroid Dread and Castlevania return with a new identity in Blades of Fire—a story-driven adventure inspired by Souls-like mechanics. But rather than merely imitating the genre, the game carves its own path with unique systems like weapon forging, weapon loss, and resource management. It offers a journey that blends challenge, narrative depth, and a beautiful visual style, making it a perfect experience for fans of story-rich and gently punishing games.

If you're a fan of Souls-like games, Blades of Fire is a must-play. It introduces unique mechanics that may not suit everyone, making it a very specific experience. It's not as accessible as God of War, but also not as punishing as traditional Souls titles'landing somewhere in between. While it may not look like it at first glance, this is very much an RPG at heart, not just a hack-and-slash.

Will MercurySteam now be recognized as the studio behind Blades of Fire? Based on my experience, I certainly hope so. Their new IP offers a challenging and engaging adventure with a distinct identity and well-crafted gameplay elements, particularly its combat system and arsenal management. Its main flaw lies in an overly extended duration, leading to some redundant and less inspired sections that may amplify a sense of disorientation due to certain design choices. Nonetheless, it remains a game with a strong personality, making bold and divisive gameplay decisions that will reward those willing to embrace its nature.

"A new flame in the dark fantasy world" Blades of Fire successfully balances inspiration and innovation. Despite being an AA entry, it has ambitious ideas that it confidently delivers, particularly through its unique blacksmithing system and thoughtful combat. Its emotional narrative and dark fantasy-infused world give it a distinct character. With some improvements, it could become one of the most prominent action-adventure games

Blades of Fire is a fantastic metroidvania that excels in its gameplay loop. The combat is addicting and gory, with a solid amount of variety thanks to the weapons you can craft and wield. Combined with the simplistic progression and upgrade system, the experience is easy to get into and difficult to master. There are some little nuisances here and there, like getting your weapon caught on walls and some storytelling woes, but these are worth fighting through to experience this wonderful game. On top of that, it runs decently on the Steam Deck, even though it is only on the Epic Games Store. It can handle near-stable 30 FPS with low settings, and while it could be improved with a Steam release, it's still a solid way to play it if you don't want to wait for that possibility.

It’s not an unmissable classic, but it’s a game I’d recommend to those who love the genre to try. I’d also like to mention that while I was playing the game, I kept thinking how great this combat system would be in new God of War games.

Blades of Fire llega de la mano de Mercury Steam como un curioso soplo de aire fresco a los juegos de acción. Su sistema jugable, aunque tiene elementos mejorables, brilla con personalidad propia, que además encaja a la perfección con un diseño fantástico. No es el mejor juego de su género, pero tampoco lo pretenden, y ofrece una serie de ideas que funcionan realmente bien.

Despite its learning curve, Blades of Fire offers a rewarding experience for players seeking deep combat mechanics, rich customization, and an open-world adventure filled with secrets. While there are areas for improvement, the foundation sets the stage for a promising franchise.

Blades of Fire is a well-made package focusing more on crafting creativity than physical battles. It forces players to take a more thoughtful approach instead of prioritizing fast-paced action.

Superar um início de jogo desinteressante e confuso, assim como level design falho em alguns momentos, pode ser um grande desafio aqui. De toda forma, há muitos elementos interessantes em Blades of Fire, assim como uma originalidade que precisa ser destacada para o combate e sistema de criação de armas, ainda que de resto o jogo seja fortemente inspirado em outras obras.

There’s a few level design issues that made some areas a little more frustrating than fun and occasionally there’s maybe a few too many enemies in one area for the pace of the combat and the story can suffer a bit in pacing and tone. But, all in all, it’s a fun experience that showcases that sometimes less is more when it comes to gameplay, and that a distinct one done well can be all you need. Even weapon durability.

For players seeking an RPG that challenges genre conventions, Blades of Fire offers a distinctive experience centered on strategic combat and weapon crafting. While its demanding systems won’t appeal universally, its unique mechanical identity and atmospheric world-building create a memorable adventure for those willing to master its intricacies.

Schönes, großes Abenteuer mit interessanten Figuren und tollem Kampfsystem, aber auch unnötig nervender Schmiedemechanik.

Blades of Fire ha un grandissimo merito: è un gioco che innova. E lo fa con audacia, fin dai primi minuti della partita, con un sistema di combattimento tecnico e un crafting che richiede strategia e attenzione alle risorse, alle statistiche, ai nemici e alla progressione. Si tratta sicuramente della componente attorno a cui è stato sviluppato tutto il resto del gioco. E si vede: la cura riposta in tutto il resto è nettamente minore. O meglio, non è sempre all'altezza delle ambizioni del gioco: proporre una storia epica della durata di 60-70 ore, con un combat system diverso da tutti gli altri e un sistema di crafting mai tedioso. Mercury Steam non ha fallito: semplicemente, ha centrato solo in parte l'obiettivo.

Blades of Fire è un po’ un’occasione sprecata proprio nella gestione delle risorse di gioco e nel modo in cui alterna ottime idee, come tutta la gestione della forgia e relativo sistema di combattimento, a cui si accompagnano altrettante cose meno riuscite, la gestione dell’esplorazione, la narrazione confusa e veloce e personaggi anonimi. La possibilità e libertà di divertimento non viene negata, ma spesso, quando si entra in piena sinergia con tutta la grammatica di gioco, puntuale arriva qualcosa a stonare con tutto il resto, una cosa messa lì senza contesto, qualche scelta mal ponderata, il tutto in un mondo ottimamente realizzato, ma generalmente spento.

Blades of Fire è un titolo coraggioso, con una sua identità e un sistema di combattimento che riesce davvero a distinguersi. La storia, pur non originale, è avvincente; il mondo di gioco è ricco e affascinante; la grafica ottima e la direzione artistica convincente. Tuttavia, le imprecisioni nei comandi, un sistema di crafting più frustrante che interessante, e un livello di difficoltà spesso ingiustificatamente alto rischiano di alienare anche i giocatori più pazienti. Si tratta di un gioco bello, a tratti persino eccellente, ma che inciampa proprio là dove dovrebbe offrire solidità e appagamento. Se siete amanti delle sfide e riuscite a tollerare una certa ripetitività, Blades of Fire saprà ricompensarvi con momenti davvero esaltanti. Ma se cercate un’esperienza fluida, accessibile e costantemente divertente, potreste finire per sentire più spesso la frustrazione che il piacere del combattimento.

Is a game of exceptional ideas imperfectly executed — which is exactly what you’d expect from a studio that has spent its career taking ambitious swings. The forging system is genuinely great. The directional combat, at its best, is distinctive and rewarding. The world is beautiful and the soundtrack is outstanding. And the Version 2.0 improvements represent real value for players arriving fresh on Steam. But the Crimson Fort escort mission, the enemy input-reading frustration, and the navigation opacity of the opening dungeon are real obstacles that drive players away right when the game needs them most. If you have tolerance for friction and an appreciation for genuine mechanical ambition, Blades of Fire has enough to offer that it’s worth the $29.99 introductory price. If you need a smooth experience from hour one, try the demo first — it’s an honest representation of the early game, but not of everything that follows. For more action-adventure coverage, check out our full reviews section.

Blades of Fire is a much better game than I initially anticipated. Granted, don’t expect grand innovations to the soulslike genre, but we’ve got some really novel ideas, such as directional-based combat and a weapon crafting system that add a unique flavour to the game. Even if not all of them work, I still have to admit I respect the efforts. I highly recommend fans of the classic Souls games to check this one out.

Good ideas alone can’t save MercurySteam’s latest title from bad design choices, like the frequently confusing exploration and a combat system that, while ambitious, is still held back by its own mechanics.

When I heard MercurySteam was behind this, my expectations were admittedly high. Their previous work on Castlevania: Lords of Shadow was, in my opinion, amazing. Those games were confident, cinematic, brutal and easy to play in a way that felt satisfying. Blades of Fire feels like a very different beast — a slower, more methodical, less directed experience. That’s not inherently bad, but it’s definitely not what I was hoping for.

Blades of Fire doesn't try to reinvent the genre, but rather reinvents itself within its own rules. By abandoning the traditional leveling system and focusing all progression on forging and weapon customization, it offers a more focused and cohesive experience. It may not appeal to everyone—especially those seeking more accessible approaches—but those willing to face its challenges will find a rich, engaging, and memorable adventure. MercurySteam thus creates a title that honors its influences without ever becoming hostage to them, and that proves there's still room for innovation within a well-established formula. Blades of Fire is, above all, a game of endurance—physical, emotional, and creative—where every battle won, every weapon forged, and every step taken into the unknown counts.

Blades of Fire left us with mixed impressions and feelings. On the one hand, MercurySteam's title offers a deep and immersive experience thanks to its unique forging system, mature storytelling with engaging characters, gorgeous and immersive environments, and an aesthetic reminiscent of past IPs such as Fable and Brütal Legend, all accompanied by an incredibly evocative soundtrack; on the other it has some obvious limitations, such as an upwardly calibrated learning curve, less-than-stellar weapon management, a combat system with great potential but that ends up being too erratic, flawed and repetitive, and unclear objectives. In short, a little additional work, would surely have benefited the production; as it stands, Blades of Fire is a good game and nothing more!

Blades of Fire had the potential to be one of the best action-adventure games in recent memory if it had stuck to its unique ideas instead of borrowing from others. Its gameplay mechanics are some of the freshest and most exciting we've seen in years, bringing a much-needed burst of creativity. However, the story, characters, and level design feel uninspired and rely too much on familiar tropes, offering little that feels new or engaging. This imbalance leaves the game exciting to play but disappointing to experience as a whole.

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 far from a masterpiece; it has graphical and technical weaknesses, with occasional noticeable shortcomings. However, thanks to smart gameplay decisions, masterfully crafted mechanics, and creative details, it manages to make you overlook most of these flaws. If only the development team had a bigger budget, these well-designed mechanics could have been backed by the same level of technical polish. Still, Blades of Fire succeeds in thoroughly pleasing fans of the genre—even surprising them at times. Despite its imperfections, it absolutely deserves to be played and given a chance.

Drawing inspiration from leading titles in its genre, it excels at what it sets out to do but falls short in conveying its message. If it had incorporated more serious elements into its narrative, it could have become a production worthy of a place among the genre’s notable works.

Blades of Fire brings back so many good memories from previous Console generation. with an engaging combat system and interesting forging mechanics, it can entertain you for many hours.

Even so, I like it. It looks beautiful, smashing skeletons to bits with a giant axe feels fantastic, and Aran and Adso are great characters when they're not slipping into some "God of War via Marvel" routine again. Blades of Fire may not be polished steel, but there is a shining nugget of something good in here; it's just a shame it's often hidden under layers of patience-testing flaws.

Blades of Fire sadly offers very little, besides some small creative rays of hope and misses completely, when it comes to create interesting characters and a gameplay that can offer something new in a overcrowded genre. If some variety in boss fights and metroidvania-like exploration is enough for you, you can still give this a try.

Even though I had fun with the combat and forging mechanics, and was intrigued by some aspects of its narrative, I felt that the title wasn't all it could be due to some flaws that affect the experience as a whole.

Blades of Fire is an ambitious and refreshingly unconventional title. While its developers clearly lacked the resources to polish every aspect to perfection, it remains a bittersweet experience-its creative spark and unique ideas are inseparably tied to its design flaws, making it a game that's easy to admire, but just as easy to be frustrated by.

Blades of Fire turned out to be an emotional swing, which is why the joyful moment is followed by complete disappointment. We have received a masterpiece that is not understood by the world.

Si bien Blades of Fire adapta el género RPG de acción con su toque muy particular y lo hace entretenido, el juego tiene algunos márgenes de mejora. Su concepto principal de la forja de armas, debe tener una ejecución más intuitiva, además de algunos ajustes en el gameplay. Fuera de eso es un título interesante, con una historia más profunda de lo que aparenta y un combate muy metódico que castiga los errores.

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 nos ha dejado con un sabor de boca agridulce. Es un título que hace muchas cosas bien y que tiene algunas ideas interesantes, pero que también tropieza por cada uno de sus aciertos. Su sistema de forja de armas nos ha encantado y es, con diferencia, lo mejor del juego, el sistema de combate puede resultar un poco tosco, pero funciona bien, es exigente y está bien planteado y los escenarios están repletos de secretos que nos incentivan a explorar. Sin embargo, su historia y sus personajes no enganchan lo más mínimo, hay ciertas situaciones que pueden resultar un tanto frustrantes por los motivos incorrectos, el backtracking no está muy bien equilibrado y hay demasiados momentos en los que nos hacen dar vueltas de más que no aportan nada. Con todo, si buscas una aventura de acción exigente y con ideas propias y crees que sus defectos no te van a empañar demasiado su disfrute, aquí encontrarás una producción entretenida y muy completa a la que quizá te merezca la pena echarle un vistazo.

Blades of Fire has some elements that feel original and compelling, but it ultimately falls short of the bar set by other AA adventure games of recent years.

Blades of Fire stands out with its unique sword-based combat and surprisingly deep forging system. While it stumbles with repetitive enemy encounters and frustrating escort missions, there's no denying the charm and originality in its core gameplay loop. It’s a flawed gem, but one that action-RPG fans will find plenty to enjoy in.

Blades of Fire is a great return to the genre for MercurySteam. With great exploration and a unique combat system, Blades of Fire should have been a sure hit. Unfortunately, the situations you encounter feel completely unfair, and the mechanics sometimes work completely against you. Even still, Blades of Fire is a fun game that harkens back to the old school action-adventure titles, where exploring its world reaps the best rewards and game experience.

All in all, Blades of Fire is a remarkable action RPG, and it executes its themes, combat, and presentation in a balanced, synergistic manner. While it hammers out its best aspects with force and confidence, it unfortunately suffers from pacing issues that hold back its endearing, attractive plot. Despite its stunning presentation and sophisticated location design, the adventure’s scale feels a bit too long for its own good sometimes. Nevertheless, if RPGamers seek fiery and engaging combat, well-designed progression systems, and an exquisitely crafted world, Blades of Fire offers an experience players will want to brush up their smithing skills for.

Blades of Fire is a well-made and lengthy action adventure romp that will test your combat skills, provided you can see it through. Taking inspiration from some of gaming's greatest hits, it never quite manages to reach those lofty heights itself, let down by a generic setting and lacklustre art direction. Still, it offers some interesting concepts, with combat and crafting mechanics that remain satisfying throughout.

At its best, this blacksmith action adventure endears with great characters, engrossing action, and retro simplicity. Attempts to chase industry trends often hold it back.

Blades of Fire è un titolo che si basa su delle idee sicuramente interessanti, che non riesce però a concretizzare a pieno. Un buon sistema di combattimento e un level design abbastanza ispirato non sono infatti sufficienti per far spiccare completamente il volo all’ultima opera di MercurySteam, che si impantana in ingenuità varie e in un’esperienza fin troppo derivativa. 

Blades of Fire, che segna il ritorno dei MercurySteam, è qualcosa di nuovo e vecchio allo stesso tempo: il team spagnolo ritorna alle atmosfere dark fantasy di Castlevania - Lords of Shadows, ma questa volta con una ip originale, che per tanti versi non è proprio al passo con i tempi. Apprezziamo senza dubbio il tentativo di voler trovare una strada originale per il gameplay, ma Blades of Fire soffre proprio nell'essere una commistione tra troppi generi e titoli. Certo, Blades of Fire ha il coraggio di battere il ferro finché è caldo. E noi, pad alla mano, non possiamo che rispondere al richiamo dell’incudine prendendo in mano le nostre armi.

Senza dubbio competente e tecnicamente solido, il nuovo titolo di MercurySteam dimostra una padronanza del genere action-RPG ma fatica a distinguersi davvero. Il world building è affascinante, il gameplay ben bilanciato e le performance stabili, ma manca quel guizzo creativo capace di lasciar il segno. Un’avventura godibile, ben costruita, che però gioca troppo sul sicuro per diventare memorabile. Un buon gioco, ma non un’esperienza imprescindibile.

Blades of Fire is an action RPG that, despite not reinventing the genre, offers a robust experience for those looking to distract their minds while cutting monsters in half. The forging system is the big differentiator, ensuring a feeling of authentic progression. Despite so many positive points, the developers stumbled on important elements, such as the narrative and the variety of challenges. Still, for those who enjoy the combination of high difficulty, dark setting and visceral combat, this is a furnace worth facing.

Blades of Fire is a weird game with a solid story, good-looking visuals, and a unique approach to combat. However, the game is a slog to explore, one of the best parts of playing video games.

Blades of Fire combines and enriches the Soulslike and RPG formulas with some new ideas and mechanics that are both welcome and frustrating. While the game looks great and diverse, the gameplay doesn't always work out as well.

Blades of Fire is not a game for everyone, but players who choose to invest in its deep and highly involved systems will be treated with a title that rewards persistence and creativity. The game's combat and forging systems are the star of the show and really make it stand out among its contemporaries. It is a surprise, especially from a developer such as MercurySteam. However, it is also dragged down by its uninspired story and world that would fail to hook players from its dreadful start and premise. It's a respectable effort and worth checking out if you overlook its flaws.

Blades of Fire, which marks the return of MercurySteam, is something new and old at the same time: the Spanish team returns to the dark fantasy atmospheres of Castlevania - Lords of Shadows, but this time with an original ip, which in many ways is not quite up to date. We undoubtedly appreciate the attempt to find an original path for the gameplay, but Blades of Fire suffers in being a mixture of too many genres and titles. Sure, Blades of Fire has the courage to strike while the iron is hot. And we, pad in hand, can only answer the call of the anvil by picking up our weapons.

Blades of Fire brings fast-paced combat with a weapon-based combat system. Strengthen your weapons and understand your enemies’ weaknesses to succeed. Figuring out how all the mechanics work together is difficult and the story is predictable. The game puts a new spin on the action-adventure genre that pays off, though it won’t break much new ground.

Blades of Fire is a decent AA title in a new world, something MercurySteam hasn't gotten us used to with the added interest of weapon customization

A solid but uneven debut for MercurySteam’s new IP, blending satisfying weapon-crafting with God of War-inspired combat. While its enemy variety falters and pacing stumbles early on, the deep forging system and punishing boss battles carve out a niche worth exploring. Not quite a masterpiece, but a promising foundation for future installments.

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

Blades of Fire is an interesting take on a familiar genre, offering some clever ideas, well engineered combat and a vibrant world. There’s challenges with this one, though, like traversal, iffy mini games, and some grind. However this is a mostly enjoyable romp that deserves the chance to be played and appreciated and a game that ultimately presents in a positive light.

Blades of Fire may have let me down in many ways, but its solid gameplay ideas and well-crafted world still make it a game worth exploring.

The weapon-forging minigame is a slog, NPCs are overly annoying, and losing weapons upon death isn't nearly as impactful as I had hoped. It's clear that MercurySteam has a good concept on its hands, but the execution could have been better in some parts. Perhaps these ideas will be better executed in a sequel.

Todos los días sale un nuevo juego de accion, pero ninguno como el que hizo MercurySteam. Blade of Fire me ha recordado lo mucho que echaba de menos sus producciones. Es un estudio a la vanguardia que intenta ir un paso más lejos: Innovando o adaptando. Insertando nuevos componentes para refrescar lo que conocemos. Este es su primer acercamiento al mundo del rol, y no esta nada mal, quizas necesita un poco de ajustes a su historia o al bestiario para que sus grandes peleas finales no se sientan tan desaprovechadas. Sin embargo, las bases son más que excelentes. Además, lo acompaña un sistema de combate de lo más cinematográfico y un sistema de forja muy peculiar. Hizo falta mucho tiempo para que el estudio madrileño regresara a sus andanzas, y ahora espero que no se detengan nunca. Son excelentes en la materia, y espero ansioso por su próxima aventura.

Blades of Fire is a truly unique action-adventure game that focuses on its forge-your-own weapon progression and combat system that is simple, snappy, and satisfying. If you’re looking for a new game that’s similar to the likes of Darksiders, God of War (2018), and the like, then we highly recommend trying this game out for the uniqueness that it brings to the table and the gameplay alone, especially when it’s on sale. Sure, the game does have its flaws in terms of storytelling, level design, and audio aspects, but the fun factor is undeniable and is sure to fire up those who were looking for a new action-adventure game to play.

Blades of Fire is a surprisingly enjoyable experience overall, and you get to delve into a unique forging mechanic that allows you to create the ultimate weapons manually. However, despite how fun the combat is, it’s actually quite hard, even if you choose to play on the easiest difficulty.

Blades of Fire is an RPG that knows where its priorities lie, but everything surrounding its mechanical core remains underdeveloped, failing to leave a lasting impression.

Blades of Fire is a pretty decent, average game. It looks good graphically and works just as well. Unfortunately, it can be irritating and even boring at times.

Blades of Fire è molto più imperfetto di quanto lasci intendere. In termini di mitologia e costruzione del mondo è affascinante e ben espresso, quando tuttavia si entra nel merito del gameplay effettivo ci si scontra con una serie di ingenuità e/o farraginosità difficili da spiegare per uno studio non al suo primo lavoro. La forgiatura, colonna portante dell'esperienza, è profonda sulla carta ma poco intuitiva all'atto pratico; il sistema di combattimento si presenta stratificato ma - complice una serie di imperfezioni - porta ad adottare un approccio ripetitivo e cauto; la progressione è limitata da decisioni incomprensibili che ne allungano inutilmente i tempi e generano frustrazione gratuita, mentre l'esplorazione soffre di un level design convoluto e che solo a volte dà le giuste soddisfazioni, anche a causa di una mappa che non permette di capire in modo adeguato i vari livelli dell'ambiente in cui ci si trova. Messi assieme, questi aspetti che vivono di pochi alti e tanti bassi danno vita a un'esperienza in cui si è cercato di fare troppo, senza però trovare la giusta amalgama che potesse renderli quantomeno tollerabili.

Blades of Fire offers some compelling and exciting ideas, particularly with its reverence for weaponcrafting and rewarding forge mechanics. But its love of steel and violence can only take it so far; its combat is enjoyable at first, but wears out its welcome across a lengthy campaign that is filled with too-chatty characters and a world that's very frustrating to get lost in. Even with those caveats, its eye-catching fantasy world and weapons that pack a punch still have enough charm to see it through. Not every one of its big swings lands, but as they say, "you miss all the shots you don't take", and Blades of Fire at least gives the action RPG genre a solid crack with a unique point of view.

Blades of Fire is a fundamentally enjoyable game bogged down by a large number of truly uninspired aspects. Spiritless combat and exploration don’t mix well with a slow-paced story. Thankfully, there are enough bright spots to bridge the gap between early plodding moments and the endgame, such as the excellent voice performances and animation work.

Blades of Fire likely sounded great on paper. However, its lack of direction, dated visuals, and inconsistent combat leads to far too much frustration. While the premise of forging your weapons is appealing, and does actually make the game stand out, the weapon swapping systems are cumbersome to use during combat and make this one adventure that's hard to recommend.

In an already packed year, Blades of Fire does its best to stand out - but it's hard to recommend with so many other games dropping at the same time, and the Switch 2 releasing in just a few short weeks. RPG fans have plenty to look forward to; maybe in a few months Blades of Fire will warrant a second look, but for now it's merely an interesting curiosity mired in some unfortunate frustrations.

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.

Despite complaints, the core of Blades of Fire remains hot, with enough individuality and fun in its boss fights to prevent it needing to be reforged. However, it's hard to shake the feeling that if a bit more focus was put on any element of the game, it could have been very good. Its hodgepodge mix of being a combat-focused, story-heavy Soulslike that relies on breaking and making weapons feels like it was an attempt to get as many keywords in as possible without polishing them enough to shine.

If I could slash its frustrating level designs in half, focusing on the character and intrigue its eccentricities added while sifting out the gameplay impurities they come with, Blades of Fire would be an easy recommendation for anyone looking for a cool hack-n-slash. Instead, it’s plagued with unforgivable wheel-spinning that undermines a lot of what I liked about its satisfying gameplay loop. I still think this distinct, innovative combat loop is worth checking out for anyone in the mood for something new, but even then, I recommend anyone but the most dedicated fan proceed with caution.

With its weapon-building systems and deliberate, targeted combat, Blades of Fire has a lot of fresh-feeling ideas. Its control scheme is strange and will force you to press each button with care. Its granular forging system makes you consider every weapon in your arsenal. But however differently it approaches them, the game only offers the same thrills as other action games of its ilk. Blades of Fire feels unique, but just can’t get weird enough.

Blades of Fire a pour lui le fait de proposer une recette forte et singulière. Il nous fait réapprendre des bases que l’on pensait acquises, et nous embarque dans son univers aussi riche à la manette que dans la profondeur de son lore que l’on peut découvrir grâce à un codex très détaillé. Son système de combat et d’artisanat sont clairement ses plus grosses forces, sa boucle de gameplay est quant à elle aussi addictive que frustrante. Le jeu est difficile, mais aussi rapidement punitif et ne plaira donc pas au plus grand monde, sans compter que visuellement il reste très classique finalement. Un jeu satisfaisant donc, mais dont les imperfections sont encore bien trop présentes pour qu’il reste dans les mémoires.

Pour conclure, Blades of Fire est un jeu difficile à juger. Le jeu de MercurySteam est très beau. Le monde est détaillé et somptueux. Et le système de forge est original et bien pensé. Mais tous les petits défauts de cette aventure arrivent à nous gâcher l'expérience, minute après minute. Les combats sont sans saveur. Le monde manque de secrets. Et certains aspects du jeu sont clairement sous-exploités. Les développeurs auraient peut-être dû éviter le côté Souls-Like, et proposer aux joueurs une expérience un peu plus classique. Quitte à revoir certaines mécaniques. Mais de notre côté, c’est surtout cet aspect qui a rendu l’aventure moins intéressante que prévu.

Medieval swordplay plays a big role in Blades of Fire, where combat is the strongest part of the game.

Blades of Fire’s excellent combat is kneecapped by awful level design and enemy AI. Hard to recommend unless you’ll tolerate anything for a good swordfight.

Despite its rather generic name, Blades of Fire is actually quite an original title. Its biggest flaw is that it disguises itself as an action-adventure game, even though it's more of a Soulslike that adapts traditional combat mechanics through its focus on weapon forging. The outdated visuals, questionable hardware requirements, and a weak opening don't help the game either.

On offer here is an interesting story with engaging characters, simple, and gorgeous environments. Where it is perhaps let down the most is the uneven pacing, characterization that can feel unnatural and unearned, and a simplistic combat system flawed enough to tip the balance from fun and challenging to frustration.

The new game from developer MercurySteam is Blades of Fire, which is not a good name. Blades of Fire. It sounds like a documentary about patriotic i...

Blades of Fire has two faces – at first the game irritates with nearly every little thing, but after a while the pieces seem to fit quite nicely. I wanted to discover new mechanics (that were extremely poorly explained) and really get to know the game. But that does not change the fact, that it is tiresome and demands frequent breaks.

MercurySteam has a lot going for with Blades of Fire despite its drawn-out story and path that does wear out its welcome over time. While not exactly the most engrossing of all action RPGs with Dark Souls DNA, Blades of Fire is still worthy of your time due to its approach to weapons-crafting and nuances to its combat system.

Blades of Fire had the potential to be a blazing sleeper hit, but too often settles for a safe, lukewarm affair. It’s not bad—it’s just painfully mid. And in today’s crowded action-adventure space, mid doesn’t quite cut it.

Blades of Fire is a game with strong ideas and a few standout features, hampered by really bad map design and repetitive moments. In many ways, it feels like a throwback to last generation’s style of games, sometimes good, sometimes bad. For fans of deliberate, punishing combat and player-driven customization, there is plenty here to enjoy. It may not burn as brightly as its influences, but it still leaves a lasting ember.

Mercury Steam decided to create a different action game, both in combat style and weapon crafting and customization. However, unique ideas alone are not enough to make an excellent game, as there were other aspects of Blades of Fire that fell short, such as the story, enemy placement, and main objective design. Additionally, the low production quality showed a negative impact due to the game’s length and ambition, resulting in an overall average-level game.

If you’re all about slicing, mining ores, and burning everything in your path, give Blades of Fire a shot. It’s not exactly prime time material for those used to top-tier quality, but it fits in that weird zone of games that are bad enough to be kinda decent — perfect for killing time. Not a masterpiece, but it’s a fiery romp that somehow knows how to light a spark under the player.

MercurySteam makes its bold return with Blades of Fire, a Soulslike with some revolutionary mechanics but some serious pacing issues.

While the combat, mixed with its forging mechanics, are a system worthy of exploration, a bland story, infuriating exploration, and a gargantuan length made the fire in this blade ultimately fizzle.

Reflecting on my time with Blades of Fire, I’m left feeling conflicted. Its forging and weapon degradation systems are engaging, improving upon the most annoying feature in recent Zelda games. The combat also makes a decent first impression, and only improves as you obtain new weapons. In theory, the game had everything going for it. In reality, though, it simply left me wanting to play other, better games instead. Its characters, world, and story are generic at best and uninteresting clones at worst. The more I played, the more disappointed I became.

Well, I was fooled by the enthusiastic announcements. Blades of Fire revolves around mediocrity. Sometimes it rises above them, sometimes it scrubs the bottom with its nose.

Blades of Fire’s blacksmithing burns bright, but overly simplistic combat and a mediocre story mean it doesn’t forge a sharp enough edge to put its customizable weapons to good use.

Blades of Fire had potential. Nicely designed combat system, Interesting and original world, and most importantly, a big-name developer. To call the game bad would be unfair, but to call it mediocre would be fitting. A story without much meaning, stupid jokes, and most of all, a frustrating map that has you running back and forth. Unfortunately, combined with the PlayStation 3-like graphics, the game still fails to appeal to a broader audience. It's more for people looking for a retro feel in a modern way.

Simply put, this game seems almost perversely hell-bent on gating you off from any kind of enjoyment. Ultimately, there’s too much work involved for not nearly enough reward from the world or the narrative, despite the occasional interesting twist and turn. Players are expected to care for every single weapon that Aran crafts in the course of his journey, which is a Herculean task given just how little care Blades of Fire gives to its players in return.

Blades of Fire is a misfire, attempting to mix elements of soulslike games with its own action ideas in an oil and water result. The story is bland, and the characters are deeply unfunny despite constantly trying to be, resulting in a tone that matches the worst of the Xbox 360 era. Obtuse and confusing level designs combined with the choice not to have objective markers create a frustrating experience, which is only furthered by the unique combat system feeling out of sync with the hardcore third-person combat games it wants to emulate.

Quizás Blades of Fire no acabe siendo uno de los juegos del año o de las mejores obras de MercurySteam, pero el rato que paséis a los mandos os resultará entretenido la mayor parte del tiempo y al menos eso es de agradecer.

Blades of Fire, la nueva propuesta de MercurySteam, se desmarca como una ambiciosa evolución espiritual de los clásicos de acción técnica españoles, ofreciendo una mezcolanza de géneros que bascula entre el soulslike y el hack and slash táctico. Desarrollado con el motor propio del estudio, el título destaca por un sistema de combate deliberadamente lento y pesado, donde la gestión de la estamina se invierte: aquí, la forma más eficaz de recuperarla es cubriéndose, obligando al jugador a un intercambio de golpes más reflexivo que reactivo. Su pilar central es una profunda mecánica de forja que fomenta un vínculo emocional inédito con el equipo; no solo personalizamos materiales y estadísticas, sino que debemos nombrar nuestras armas y arriesgarnos a perderlas permanentemente al morir, sustituyendo la pérdida de experiencia por la de nuestra propia creación. Con una dirección artística colorida que roza el estilo cómic y una banda sonora a cargo de Óscar Araujo, es un título exigente y extenso que, pese a sus aristas en el diseño de niveles, aporta frescura y autoría a un género saturado.

Recomendar Blades of Fire a ojos cerrados resulta bastante complicado, ya que presenta ideas muy concretas que, seguramente, no sean menester para todo tipo de públicos. Más allá de eso, que al final termina siendo una cuestión de gustos, sí que se puede recriminar que las acciones con el personaje no sean todo lo intuitivas como deberían y que el combate, más allá de lo extraño que puede resultar en un primer impasse el sistema de control, no está todo lo pulido que debería. Sin embargo, también tiene la receta para generar una comunidad muy fiel que ayude a mantener viva la llama de su fuego durante mucho tiempo.

¿Esto quiere decir que Blades of Fire es perfecto? No, tiene sus cosillas, claro. Hay veces que da la impresión de que el juego fuerza algo el backtracking o ciertas escenas para alargar su duración. Hay algún bug. El juego me ha matado un par de veces por quedarme enganchado en una esquina, y tampoco es siempre muy claro acerca de qué caída te mata y cuál tienes que hacer para poder salir de una mazmorra. Los personajes hablan mucho. Todo está en inglés con subtítulos al español bien localizados, pero a veces Adso se hace un pelín pesado.

Malgré quelques imperfections, Blades of Fire se démarque comme étant une aventure intense, où exigence et stratégie sont au cœur du gameplay. Son univers captivant aux personnages singuliers, ainsi que son système de combat au gameplay varié et personnalisé offrent une expérience immersive qui récompense les joueurs persévérants. Cependant, le système de forge peut autant séduire les amateurs de personnalisation, que déconcerter ceux en quête d’un gameplay immédiat.

Blades of Fire llega como algo único y diferente en un mundo donde las secuelas dominan el mercado. Una nueva IP, un estilo de juego diferente, una forja con bastante profundidad y un sistema de combate que hay que dominar, por lo que aunque tiene sus más y sus menos, siempre es de agradecer que aparezcan nuevos títulos con ese toque de aire fresco que hace falta en un mundillo del que se nota algo saturado y falto de ideas.

En conclusión, MercurySteam ha engendrado un gran juego que sabe cumplir en casi todos los ámbitos. Su sistema de forja y su combate táctico son sus mayores triunfos, mientras que su narrativa y algunos problemas técnicos (nada grave por mi parte) ponen las notas más negativas.

Si decides embarcarte en él, no lo hagas con prisa. Disfruta de cada escenario, de cada forja de armas, de cada combate táctico, de las discusiones entre Aran y Adso, de su lore y de sus secretos. Te prometemos que la aventura te recompensará cada minuto que le dediques. Es un producto hecho con mimo y se nota. Y eso es lo mejor que podemos decir del trabajo de los españoles MercurySteam.