With just a few weeks until its release on May 22, 2025, Blades of Fire is gradually revealing more details through a new nearly 5-minute “Character Trailer,” showcasing a dark world marked by human tragedies, ancient magic, and characters whose depth one hopes to see fully realized. The first character highlighted in this trailer is Aran De Lira, the protagonist who was not born by chance. As the son of the royal guard commander, he grew up alongside Princess Nerea in a close fraternal relationship that was shattered by a tragic event marking his soul forever. Instead of succumbing to fate, Aran aims to protect his loved ones, confront his past, and put an end to the tyrannical rule of the woman he once called friend. Wielding one of the seven “forge hammers,” mythical relics passed down by the Forgers—creators of humanity—Aran possesses the unique ability to manipulate sacred metal: steel. His blacksmith skills are complemented by combat techniques inherited from his father, making him the chosen instrument to overthrow the Queen.
A hero never rises alone. Along Aran De Lira’s journey, he encounters Adso Dezell, a young scholar from the Abbey of Dorin. As a meticulous analyst, Adso plays a crucial strategic role in their adventure. On the battlefield, he observes, records, and deciphers enemy behaviors. Outside of combat, his intelligence illuminates ancient texts, unlocks doors sealed by magic, and reveals hidden secrets of the world.
Blades of Fire also features a gallery of secondary characters such as Glinda, the renowned master blacksmith who serves as a mentor to Aran. She challenges him to prove his worth, integrity, and potential to become a true hero. Like Aran, she possesses one of the hammers of the Forgers. Another notable character is Nerea, the former queen, who personifies the corruption that can arise from absolute power. As the heir to an empire in decline, she ascended to the throne amid popular acclaim but subsequently ushered in an era marked by darkness and oppression. Her decision to turn all weapons in the kingdom to stone signifies her pursuit of total control, allowing only sacred steel to inflict harm once more.
Tok, the comic yet brutal ogre who considers himself a king, contributes a touch of rough humor. He guides Aran through Durian’s hostile lands, albeit reluctantly, serving as both a valuable ally and a potential threat, his sharp fangs hinting at the beast lurking beneath his royal facade. Melkart Agdar, formerly a gravedigger in Dorian’s cemetery, now risen from the dead, provides crucial yet dark assistance to Aran during their journey through the Necropolis. It is revealed that he is under the control of the mysterious necromancer Acedes Alexander.
It remains to be seen if Blades of Fire will succeed in establishing itself amidst a year characterized by the consecutive release of high-quality large-scale games. This outlook appears less assured given that approximately 20 minutes of gameplay have been reviewed, which raises considerable concerns, indicating that the game’s concept seems at least 15 years behind current standards…
