Blades of Fire: Deep Weapon Crafting Meets Soulslike Combat

Blades of Fire is a brutal, ambitious action-adventure that wears its dark fantasy badge with pride. Developed by MercurySteam and published by 505 Games, this PS5 title blends methodical combat, customizable weapon crafting, and an atmospheric world that feels both familiar and refreshing. If you’re into games that reward patience, precision, and a bit of old-school grit, keep reading. This might be your next gaming obsession.

Story and Setting

The story opens in a world that’s lost its edge—literally. Steel has been turned to stone, thanks to Queen Nerea’s curse, and the last warrior who can wield forged weapons, Aran de Lira, rises to challenge her rule. It’s a setup that feels epic in scope but personal in tone. Joined by the scholarly and sometimes chatty Adso de Zelk, Aran embarks on a quest that’s less about saving the world and more about reclaiming the past—one hammer strike at a time.

The lore runs deep, though the game doesn’t spoon-feed you. You’ll need to piece together bits through dialogue, item descriptions, and exploration. It’s a storytelling style that fans of FromSoftware’s games will appreciate.

Gameplay Mechanics

Weapon Crafting

Let’s talk about the Forge system—because it’s really the heart of Blades of Fire. You’re not just picking up swords off the ground. You’re crafting them. You hunt down Forge Scrolls, mine rare materials, and take part in a satisfying mini-game that determines the quality of your weapon. Length, weight, blade type, durability—it’s all on you. And when that weapon shatters mid-battle because you got greedy with upgrades, well… that’s on you too.

It’s not just a gimmick. Your weapons define how you approach each fight. Want a massive claymore that knocks enemies down in two swings? Go for it. Prefer a light, stabby spear that keeps you moving? That’s viable too. There’s room for experimentation, and it’s satisfying to see your personal choices reflected in your fighting style.

Combat System

Combat is slow and deliberate, but not clunky. Think tactical rather than twitchy. There’s a weight to every strike and a consequence to every mistake. You target specific body parts, exploit enemy weaknesses, and master the art of timing. Parrying is crucial, and dodging too early or late could be the end of you.

One standout mechanic: blocking actually regenerates stamina. It flips your expectations, making defense not just viable, but strategic. You’re encouraged to stand your ground rather than roll around endlessly.

But there’s a catch. Weapons degrade fast. You’ll feel it when your blade starts bouncing off armor or your swings lose impact. This isn’t a game where you can brute-force your way through every encounter. You’ve got to stay sharp—pun intended.

Exploration and Level Design

If you love exploration, there’s a lot to chew on here. The world is interconnected and layered, with vertical climbs, hidden rooms, and shortcuts that make backtracking feel rewarding. It’s got that Metroidvania DNA running through it.

That said, the game doesn’t hold your hand. Some paths feel unnecessarily vague, and it’s easy to get lost without a traditional map. At times, it feels more frustrating than mysterious. It’s an area where Blades of Fire could’ve used just a little more polish.

Visuals and Audio

Visually, the game has this heavy metal fantasy aesthetic, like if Frank Frazetta painted a Souls game. It’s not photorealistic, but it’s bold and expressive. Environments are diverse and layered, with each area telling its own visual story.

The soundtrack deserves special mention. Óscar Araujo delivers a haunting, grandiose score that elevates every boss fight and quiet moment alike. The audio design supports the weight of combat, too—each clang, crunch, and roar has real punch.

Characters and Narrative

Aran de Lira might not be the most vocal protagonist, but he doesn’t need to be. His actions speak louder than words. His chemistry with Adso, the overly enthusiastic scholar, brings a bit of levity to the grim journey. Adso sometimes repeats lines a bit too often, but he’s never outright annoying—more like your nerdy little brother who read all the lore books twice.

The narrative is layered. It’s a story of loss, legacy, and rage—but it avoids melodrama. You’ll care about the world, even if it doesn’t always spell things out clearly.

Reception

Blades of Fire is dividing critics, but for good reason—it takes risks.

• Push Square gave it a 7/10, praising the combat and crafting, but called out the lack of visual flair.
• RPG Site landed at 6/10, liking the depth of customization but frustrated with navigation.
• Finger Guns leaned more positive, highlighting the game’s identity and mechanical innovation.
• Metacritic shows a spread, with several outlets offering scores around the 80 mark, noting that while it doesn’t reinvent the genre, it sharpens its own niche.

If you’re someone who values gameplay systems and meaningful progression over cinematic polish, you’ll likely find a lot to love here.

Conclusion

Blades of Fire isn’t trying to be everyone’s game—and that’s its biggest strength. It’s raw, intense, and sometimes a little rough around the edges. But if you’re a fan of action-RPGs that demand your focus and reward your time, it’s more than worth a swing.

There’s a soul here that AAA polish often buries. Sure, it might not have the mainstream hype of a God of War, but what it offers—freedom, challenge, and craftsmanship—is worth celebrating. It’s the kind of game that sticks with you after the credits roll.

So yeah, sharpen your blade, brace yourself, and dive in.