Announced in February of last year and now expected on May 22, 2025 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, Blades of Fire is set to make its mark in the competitive narrative action-RPG genre. Developed by MercurySteam, a Spanish studio known for titles such as Metroid Dread and Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, and published by 505 Games, the game aims to distinguish itself from others in the market. Recently released gameplay videos have provided insights into its mechanics, combat system, and weapon forging features; however, our enthusiasm has diminished upon observing these details. The title appears to feature unremarkable graphics alongside outdated animations and a structure reminiscent of games from the 2010s.
Blades of Fire seeks to differentiate itself through its intricate forge system. In this game, weapons are not merely defined by their stats; each sword, axe, or dagger is crafted from a unique combination of materials, essences, and ancient scrolls, which directly affect their characteristics: length, weight, durability, sharpness, and penetration capacity. The game features seven weapon families along with over 30 forge scrolls, providing numerous combinations and an evolving gameplay experience where managing weapon wear becomes a strategic element.
In terms of combat, “Blades of Fire” features a tactical system that allows players to target specific body parts of opponents — head, legs, arms, torso — in order to break their guard, disarm them, or neutralize threats. The concept of weapon durability and defensive stance emphasizes the strategic elements of battles. Each encounter is a life-or-death duel where the choice of weapon, its sharpness, and attack stance significantly influence the outcome. The development studio appears to have set a certain level of requirement for handling the arsenal and reading enemy animations.
In the world of Blades of Fire, it revisits classic clichés: in a medieval-fantastic ancient world shaped by the Forgeers, titans who passed on to humans the secret of metalworking, a magical coup has overturned the established order. Queen Nerea, a dethroned sovereign turned tyrant, triggered an illegal spell turning steel into stone, depriving rebel armies of their weapons and securing her power through “divine metal,” a unique alloy only her elite guard can wield. The player embodies Aran De Lira, son of the royal guard commander, torn between his inheritance and his mission: assassinate the queen to restore order. Alongside him is Adso De Zelk, a young scholar passionate about ancient knowledge and mystical theories, who accompanies the hero on his quest for redemption and truth.
We will see if the result lives up to the studio’s reputation, but at this point, there is nothing to suggest it will be thrilling…
