Blades of Fire Review

MercurySteam may be a developer many have not heard of until their recent hit in Metroid Dread. Also responsible for the respectable Castlevania “reboot” in the 2010 Lords of Shadow release, it’s safe to say that they know their way around action-adventure titles.

Fast-forward to 2025, and MercurySteam now has Blades of Fire, a new third-person action-adventure title that follows Aran de Lira, a warrior whose mission is to stop Queen Nerea and end her curse that turns steel into useless stone. Steel, in particular, is vital because of the game’s weapon forging system that allows the player to forge various weapons to meet all of the challenges that lie ahead.

Souls of War

We’ll get to the forging part of the game later, but Blades of Fire’s obvious gameplay influences look similar to third-person titles like God of War with a sprinkle of Soulslike elements. You have a weapon-wielding protagonist who can sprint, dodge/sidestep, open chests, explore various locales, and even have a companion who can aid you in your journey. Unlike God of War, though, there are checkpoints across the map that players can use to rest, upgrade, and revive slain enemies.

While you may have seen most of these in other titles, Blades of Fire does not stop at just borrowing, but also introduces some unique elements that make it stand out in its genre.

Blades of Fire sets itself apart with a combat system that moves beyond traditional hack-and-slash mechanics, embracing a more strategic approach that factors in weapon type, attack direction, and enemy armor composition. There is a LOT to consider here, and it may get too intimidating at first glance.

In Blades of Fire, the face buttons are dedicated to a direction of attack. Triangle (we played on a PS5) corresponds to an attack to the head, Square and Circle being the left and right side attacks respectively, and X being a torso attack. These directional inputs are crucial, as effectiveness depends on the weapon used and the enemy faced.

Enemies in Blades of Fire will wear various types of armor, and while some will be clad in simple leather garb, others will be heavily armored. You can check your weapon’s effectiveness against these foes through a colored outline, where green means dealing maximum damage, orange means effectiveness is lessened, and red means that you’ll cause no damage. If an enemy has armor plates on his arms, attacking using Square or Circle isn’t the best way to go about it.

One more thing to consider is what weapon you are equipped with. Bladed weapons such as the sword can have styles, and a style will correspond to whether you will be slashing or piercing, improving or lessening weapon effectiveness as you switch styles with R2. On top of this, hammers can deal blunt damage, which is highly effective against light enemies through brute force, becoming less effective the heavier the foes get.

Additionally, stamina is a key resource that players will have to manage. Depending on your weapon, your stamina will vary, and you’ll need this for attacking, dodging, and blocking. Should you run out, hold L2 to recover your stamina quickly, giving you another shot at dealing damage. While attacking is still possible with low stamina, your swings will slow to a crawl and be left open for a brutal counterattack.

Combat in Blades of Fire revolves around these key principles, which could be extremely intimidating to some players. For someone like me, who is used to action-adventure titles, Blades of Fire took a bit of time to get used to, so I imagine others may be less patient than I am when learning the game’s intricacies.

Once you get used to it, though, Blades of Fire’s combat is pretty crunchy and satisfying, and the directional attacks are not for show as you can hack the limbs and face off some enemies, affecting how the ensuing battle will play out. Controls are responsive, and while the camera can be a bit of an issue when dealing with enemies in tight spaces, dancing with enemies as you recognize their patterns is pretty fun.

Hammer of the Gods

In Blades of Fire, combat is only half the equation—the other half is an intricate and deeply immersive forging system that rivals, if not surpasses, the complexity of its combat mechanics.

Weapons in Blades of Fire are not just tools but vital resources that demand attention and care. Notice I termed it a resource because that’s exactly what they are. You will forge countless weapons throughout your journey, inevitably breaking and losing them. Sharpening and maintaining them is essential to survival. You might even find yourself reserving your most prized blades for formidable foes while wielding lesser weapons against common enemies.

The forging process begins with acquiring weapon blueprints, which are unlocked by encountering and battling various enemies. For instance, if you wish to craft dual blades, hunting down assassin-type adversaries multiple times will grant access to their blueprint.

The forging system allows meticulous customization—every weapon detail influences its final attributes. If you’re crafting a sword, selecting the right tip determines its piercing ability, while sharpening the blade enhances its effectiveness for slashing. This level of involvement extends to every weapon component, with material choices also significantly shaping its stats.

Once you’ve finalized the design, the forging process requires shaping the weapon through a mini-game that challenges you to mold the metal within a limited number of strikes. The closer your creation is to the optimal shape, the more stars it will receive, each indicating how many times the weapon can be repaired before breaking. While this mini-game can initially be daunting, mastering it and forging a weapon with maximum durability is immensely gratifying.

Expect to repeat this process frequently, as dying in Blades of Fire results in dropping your weapon instead of losing currency or experience points, a mechanic reminiscent of other Soulslike titles. Upon resurrection at a checkpoint, you must retrace your steps to recover your lost blade before proceeding. This system fosters a deep attachment to your weapons, much like how a blacksmith cherishes their creations.

Much like its combat mechanics, Blades of Fire’s forging system is both intricate and demanding, which may feel overwhelming to some players. The extensive thought and care required to craft and maintain weapons could initially deter newcomers. However, those willing to embrace and master its depth will find the experience incredibly rewarding.

Dulls With Use

While Blades of Fire excels with its intricate combat and forging mechanics, it falls short in other key areas. The narrative, for instance, lacks depth and fails to create a compelling hook. Even in its initial setup, the story’s motivations feel underdeveloped, making it difficult for players to invest in the unfolding events fully.

Blades of Fire is far from the most striking entry in its genre visually. While the landscapes and environments are serviceable, character and monster designs appear relatively unremarkable. The game carries the aesthetic of an older console generation—not necessarily a flaw, but it does suggest that much of its refinement was directed toward its gameplay systems rather than visual presentation.

However, Blades of Fire delivers a smooth experience on a base PS5 from a performance standpoint. Movement feels fluid, and frame drops are virtually nonexistent, even in intense battle sequences.

Verdict: Wait for it…

Blades of Fire is not a game for everyone, but players who choose to invest in its deep and highly involved systems will be treated with a title that rewards persistence and creativity. The game’s combat and forging systems are the star of the show and really make it stand out among its contemporaries.

It is a surprise, especially from a developer such as MercurySteam. However, it is also dragged down by its uninspired story and world that would fail to hook players from its dreadful start and premise. It’s a respectable effort and worth checking out if you overlook its flaws.

*Blades of Fire was reviewed on a PS5 with a review code provided by the publisher.