Blades of Fire [PlayStation 5] | REVIEW

Blades of Fire steps into the well-trodden territory of Souls-likes but finds a spark of originality through thoughtful crafting mechanics, vibrant world design, and a surprisingly compelling narrative. While it doesn’t entirely escape the genre’s usual trappings, what it does differently makes it well worth a look.

Check out some screenshots down below:

Set in a high fantasy world where humans were forged by giants known as the Forgers, Blades of Fire follows Aran de Lira, a disgraced warrior turned would-be revolutionary. Armed with a mythical hammer capable of creating legendary weapons, Aran sets off to confront Queen Nerea, who has plunged the land into decay by corrupting the sacred steel that sustains it.

Players learn about the world, its history, and the central conflict at the same pace as Aran and his scholarly companion Adso, with this slow-burn narrative approach bringing with it a sense of immersion that makes the somewhat confusing opening hours easier to invest in. You’ll often often left wondering about character motivations and world events without clear answers, but thankfully, more details and twists are revealed as you progress that’ll hook you into the world completely.

What also stands out is the dynamic between Aran and Adso, with their back-and-forth – ranging from snide remarks to heartfelt conversations – adding a human touch to the otherwise stoic journey. Adso isn’t just comic relief or a lore dispenser, but rather a non-combatant who studies enemies and feeds useful information back to Aran to add a clever gameplay layer while also developing their relationship. Souls-like often feels like lonely outing where you take on the role of a lone hero, but Blades of Fire changes that and it’s very effective.

Structurally, Blades of Fire shares some DNA with other Souls-like titles: bonfire-style checkpoints, interconnected level design, punishing enemies that push your skills to the limit… you get the picture. If you’re familiar with the genre, you’ll feel at home immediately, though Blades of Fire does make its world feel more alluring from the get-go by bringing with it striking colour instead of drab greys and endless ruins. It feels like a rich fantasy world that hasn’t been completely sunken into despair, and honestly, it was kind of refreshing to experience.

“Blades of Fire may not revolutionize the genre, but it brings enough quality, originality and heart to stand out in a crowded field.”

Exploration in the game sees players following a semi-linear path, with areas unlocking in sequence but containing shortcuts and hidden passages that reward exploration. Rest points serve as both checkpoints and gateways to The Forge, the heart of the game’s most distinctive feature. This is where Blades of Fire really earns its place in the genre, with its deep and methodical crafting system certainly upping the ante when it comes to combat. Aran’s hammer doesn’t just whack enemies – it builds an arsenal from the ground up, with players gathering materials, learning weapon techniques, and then using those parts to forge entirely custom weapons.

There are seven weapon types, each with multiple variants, and every part of a weapon has a meaningful impact on stats like reach, stamina cost, and damage type. Choosing a longer pole for a spear might give you better range at the cost of swing speed, for example, whilst crafting a heavier axe head might increase power but make combos harder to chain. It’s a deep and engrossing system which is a far cry from the typical weapon upgrade system seen in similar titles.

Instead, it makes every weapon feel like a personal project. Each weapon’s design can influence gameplay in significant ways and switching styles depending on the enemies you face becomes essential if you want to progress, with it offering a rewarding loop: dismantling old weapons for parts, unlocking new styles, and seeing your creations evolve. It’s utterly compelling and really puts a lot of creative control in the player’s hands.

Combat in Blades of Fire is where the game’s ambition can both shine and stumble. Instead of traditional light or heavy attacks, face buttons correspond to directional swings – left, right, upward, and overhead. This opens the door for creative chaining and a more physical feel to battles, which, when combined with the weapon crafting system and targeting of visible enemy weak points, brings a unique tactical edge to each encounter.

Check out some screenshots down below:

However, the execution isn’t always perfect. The stamina system can feel overly punishing, and Aran’s movement – particularly with heavier weapons – can be sluggish to the point of frustration at times. Players can’t interrupt their own attacks or cancel animations either, which makes split-second decision-making feel unnecessarily limited. Enemies often have faster, more fluid move sets and can interrupt your attacks, creating an imbalance that can feel unfair rather than challenging. It does feel like I’m nitpicking a little because these are forgivable flaws that in no means makes combat feel bad at all, but given how much freedom is offered in crafting weapons, it could be a little disappointing when it didn’t always feel like you could take full advantage of your creations.

When the everything does come together in combat, it’s a real blast. Enemy encounters in Blades of Fire are varied and thoughtfully designed, with each foe presenting its own tactical puzzle. Standard enemies often telegraph their weaknesses through visual cues – like exposed joints or lighter armour – allowing players to exploit them with the right weapon and attack angle. Boss battles on the other hand are standout moments, with these fights slower and more methodical, often built around recognizing patterns and adapting your crafted weapon to counter specific phases. It’s a lot of fun, with each encounter bringing plenty of strategy and thrills in equal measure.

Developer: Mercury Steam
Publisher: 505 Games
Platform(s): PlayStation 5 (Reviewed), Xbox Series X|S, PC
Website: https://bladesoffire.com/en/