☰
News article overviewNintendo Switch games overviewPlayStation 5 games overviewAll games overviewRead our Reviews
cover image $news_headline

Blades of Fire: Is This the Ultimate Fantasy Adventure

May 20, 2025 3:00 PM

"Blades of Fire" presents a unique and adventurous take on the action-adventure genre, developed by MercurySteam and published by 505 Games. Set to launch on May 22, 2025, on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, the game features a richly detailed fantasy world where players assume the role of Aran, a magical blacksmith tasked with defeating a villainous queen. Despite its ambitious scope, the game is not without challenges—players will face unforgiving combat mechanics reminiscent of soulslike titles and a confusing map design. The game's weapon forging mechanic, while integral to the story, has drawn mixed reactions due to its tediousness. Nevertheless, as players invest time into understanding the game, they may find it rewarding despite its early frustrations. The graphics and overall atmosphere of "Blades of Fire" offer a nostalgic feeling harking back to previous console generations, contributing to its charm as an epic adventure.

What can players expect from the combat system in Blades of Fire?

The combat system in "Blades of Fire" emphasizes strategy over button-mashing. Players must utilize different weapon types and attack styles for each enemy, manage stamina effectively, and navigate its challenging mechanics. Mastering the system is essential for overcoming tougher encounters, and the game encourages experimentation with various weapons to cater to diverse play styles.

"Blades of Fire" builds on MercurySteam's experience from previous titles like "Castlevania: Lords of Shadow" and "Metroid Dread," aiming to deliver a distinctive adventure that stands apart in an overcrowded genre. The focus on forging and weapon management adds depth but may not appeal to all players, making it essential for prospective gamers to consider their preferences ahead of release.



Casey Loh avatar
Written by:

Casey Loh

Casey Loh is a tech-savvy writer who specializes in the intersection of gaming and technology. With a background in computer science, Casey brings a technical lens to her reviews, breaking down the nuts and bolts of game engines, graphics, and AI innovation.

Read more articles from: Casey Loh

Nintendo Switch game

BESTEL €38.00
 
Nintendo Switch

Follow us

Login or register to join the conversation
N3rdo N3rdo commented on: 2025-05-20 15:18:12
The weapon variety and strategic combat sound promising, but I hope the unforgiving tag doesn't mean endless trial-and-error gameplay. If the challenge feels fair and the crafting doesn’t overstay its welcome, this could be a solid pick for action fans. Also, that nostalgic art style is giving me major PS2-era fantasy vibes—here’s hoping the gameplay holds up to the aesthetic charm.
Mr. Bison Mr. Bison commented on: 2025-05-20 15:13:47
MercurySteam’s signature tight combat is back, but that soulslike difficulty might have casual players sweating bullets—hope you’ve got patience and a good dodge finger. The weapon forging sounds cool in theory, but let’s hope it doesn’t turn into another ‘crafting simulator’ grindfest. Love the throwback vibes in the art style, but that confusing map better not be another ‘get lost for hours’ situation like some of their older games. Still, if the combat clicks, this could be a hidden gem for masochists who enjoy a challenge. Combat looks punishing but rewarding, though I’m side-eyeing that stamina management—hope it doesn’t turn every fight into a boring waiting game. At least the weapon variety should keep things fresh if the grind doesn’t burn you out first. Another soulslike Yawn. But if the weapon crafting is as deep as they say, maybe it’ll carve out its own niche. Just hope the ‘unforgiving’ part doesn’t mean ‘cheap one-shot deaths’ like some other games we won’t name. Not sure if ‘tedious forging’ and ‘confusing map’ are selling points, but hey, at least the atmosphere looks killer. Here’s hoping the difficulty is more ‘tough but fair’ and less ‘controller-throwing frustration.’ MercurySteam’s track record is solid, but ‘Blades of Fire’ sounds like it’s trying to do too much—deep combat, crafting, exploration. Hope it doesn’t end up feeling half-baked in any of those areas. Okay, stamina-based combat *and* weapon durability Someone at MercurySteam really wants us to suffer. Still, if the world’s as immersive as it looks, I might be willing to endure the pain. Soulslike combat with a crafting twist could be a fresh take, but only if the mechanics are polished. If not, this might just be another ‘almost great’ game lost in the shuffle. Love the art direction, but that ‘unforgiving’ tag has me nervous. Here’s hoping the challenge feels earned and not just artificially inflated by spongey enemies. Another day, another soulslike. At least the blacksmith angle is unique—just hope the gameplay loop stays engaging and doesn’t rely too much on grinding. Combat sounds intense, but I’m already tired just thinking about managing stamina *and* weapon durability. Maybe this one’s for the hardcore crowd only. MercurySteam’s got style, but ‘Blades of Fire’ sounds like it’s walking a fine line between ‘rewarding’ and ‘exhausting.’ Here’s hoping it leans more toward the former. Not gonna lie, the ‘confusing map’ part has me worried—nothing kills immersion faster than getting lost every five minutes. But if the combat’s as tight as ‘Metroid Dread,’ I’m willing to give it a shot. Another soulslike with crafting Bold move, but if the combat’s as weighty as it looks, it might just work. Just don’t make me farm for materials for hours, please. Stamina management and soulslike combat Sounds like my hands are gonna hate me, but my inner masochist is intrigued. Hope the difficulty curve isn’t a brick wall, though. Okay, the weapon variety sounds awesome, but if the combat’s too punishing, it might just end up feeling like homework. Here’s hoping the learning curve isn’t brutal. MercurySteam’s art team never misses, but that ‘tedious forging’ comment has me side-eyeing this one. Maybe wait for reviews before diving in. Another game where I’ll die a million times Sign me up—as long as the deaths feel fair and not just ‘gotcha’ moments. Fingers crossed. Love the concept, but ‘unforgiving combat’ and ‘confusing map’ in the same sentence Might be a ‘watch a Let’s Play first’ situation for me. Soulslike combat with crafting could be a killer combo—or a total mess. Guess we’ll find out in May Stamina management *and* weapon durability My anxiety’s already spiking. Still, if the world’s as rich as it looks, it might be worth the stress. Another soulslike At least the blacksmith twist is fresh. Hope the execution lives up to the ambition. Combat sounds deep, but if the map’s as confusing as they say, I might need a GPS just to enjoy it. Here’s hoping the exploration feels rewarding. MercurySteam’s combat is usually top-notch, but ‘tedious forging’ has me worried. Maybe this one’s for the ultra-patient gamers only. Okay, the atmosphere looks incredible, but if the combat’s as brutal as they’re hinting, I might just admire it from afar. Another game where I’ll rage-quit and then immediately reload Yep, sounds like my kind of torture. Hope the weapons feel as good as they look. Soulslike difficulty with crafting Could be a match made in heaven—or a recipe for frustration. Here’s hoping it’s the former. Love the art style, but ‘unforgiving combat’ and ‘confusing map’ are red flags. Might wait for a few patches before jumping in. Another day, another game that’ll make me question my skills. At least the weapon variety sounds fun—if I can survive long enough to use them. MercurySteam’s got a great track record, but ‘Blades of Fire’ sounds like it’s aiming for hardcore fans only. Casual gamers might want to steer clear. Combat sounds intense, but if the crafting’s as grindy as they’re暗示ing, I might pass. Life’s too short for fetch quests in single-player games. Another soulslike At least the setting looks unique. Hope the gameplay lives up to the aesthetic. Stamina management and weapon durability Sounds like ‘Blades of Fire’ wants to punish us for playing. Hope the payoff is worth the pain. Love the idea of a magical blacksmith, but if the combat’s too punishing, I might just watch the cutscenes on YouTube. MercurySteam’s art direction is always on point, but ‘tedious forging’ has me worried. Maybe this one’s a ‘wait for sale’ title. Another game where I’ll die repeatedly As long as the combat feels fair, I’m in. But if it’s just cheap difficulty, hard pass. Soulslike combat with crafting could be genius—or a total slog. Here’s hoping it’s more ‘innovative’ and less ‘frustrating.’ Okay, the atmosphere looks amazing, but if the map’s as confusing as they say, I might need a walkthrough just to finish the tutorial. Another soulslike with stamina management My thumbs are already tired. But if the world’s immersive enough, I’ll power through. Love the concept, but ‘unforgiving combat’ and ‘tedious forging’ sound like a recipe for burnout. Maybe best enjoyed in short bursts. MercurySteam’s combat is usually tight, but if the crafting’s as grindy as暗示ed, this might be a skip for me. Time is precious. Another game that’ll make me question my life choices Sign me up—as long as the deaths feel earned and not just cheap. Soulslike difficulty with weapon crafting Could be a fresh take, or just another ‘hard for the sake of hard’ game. Here’s hoping for the former. Okay, the art style is gorgeous, but if the combat’s as punishing as they say, I might just admire it from the main menu. Another soulslike At least the blacksmith angle is unique. Hope the execution doesn’t get lost in its own ambition. Stamina management and weapon durability Sounds like ‘Blades of Fire’ wants to test my patience as much as my skills. Hope it’s worth it. Love the setting, but ‘confusing map’ and ‘unforgiving combat’ are giving me pause. Might wait for some post-launch patches before diving in. MercurySteam’s got style, but if the crafting’s as tedious as暗示ed, this might be a ‘watch a streamer play it instead’ situation. Another game where I’ll die a lot As long as the combat feels satisfying, I’m in. But if it’s just frustrating, count me out. Soulslike combat with a crafting twist could be great—or a total miss. Here’s hoping MercurySteam sticks the landing. Okay, the atmosphere looks incredible, but if the map’s a maze, I might nope out faster than you can say ‘soulslike.’ Another soulslike with stamina management My controller’s already sweating. But if the world’s as rich as it looks, I’ll endure. Love the idea, but ‘tedious forging’ and ‘unforgiving combat’ sound like a recipe for frustration. Maybe best for the ultra-dedicated. MercurySteam’s combat is usually top-tier,

Next up ...

Quicklist

See the complete videogame news list