Early Players Reveal New Blades of Fire Details

As Aran de Lir, a blacksmith and warrior, your journey begins with a personal tragedy that leads you to discover a magical hammer. This hammer grants you access to the Forge of the Gods, where you can craft unique weapons to combat the formidable army of Queen Nereia. Embark on an epic adventure that will take approximately 60–70 hours to complete.

Immerse Yourself in a Rich Fantasy World

Explore a beautifully crafted yet brutal fantasy realm filled with magical creatures like trolls and elementals. Traverse enchanted forests and blooming fields, encountering a world that boasts a visual style reminiscent of Blizzard's work. The game features exaggerated proportions, with characters sporting massive limbs and buildings with thick walls, creating a sense of grandeur. The presence of stocky soldiers, similar to the Locust from Gears of War, adds a distinctive flavor to the game's atmosphere.

Master the Art of Weapon Forging

Blades of Fire offers an unparalleled weapon modification system and a unique combat mechanic, setting it apart from typical action games. The forging process starts with selecting a basic template, which you can then customize by altering its size, shape, material, and other parameters that influence the weapon's characteristics. The forging concludes with a mini-game where you control the strength, length, and angle of your strikes on the metal. The outcome of this mini-game determines the weapon's quality and durability.

For added convenience, you can instantly recreate previously forged weapons. The developers aim to foster an emotional connection between players and their weapons, encouraging you to use the same gear throughout your journey. If you die, your weapon is left behind at the death location, but you can retrieve it by returning there.

Dynamic Combat and Weapon Variety

You can carry up to four types of weapons, seamlessly switching between them during combat. Each weapon offers different stances, allowing for varied actions such as slashing or thrusting. Instead of scavenging for weapons in the game world, you will craft them yourself. Choose from seven weapon types, including halberds and dual axes.

The combat system is based on directional attacks, enabling you to target the face, torso, left, or right of your enemies. Strategically, if an enemy is guarding their face, you can attack their body, and vice versa. Some bosses, like trolls, have an additional health bar that becomes vulnerable only after severing a limb. For example, you can cut off the arm holding a club or destroy the boss's face to temporarily blind them. Stamina, essential for attacks and dodges, does not regenerate automatically; you must hold the block button to restore it.

Critical Reception and Release Information

While reviewers have noted some shortcomings, such as a lack of content, uneven difficulty, and a sometimes unintuitive forging mechanic, the unique setting and innovative combat system are praised for compensating for these issues.

Blades of Fire is set to release on May 22, 2025, and will be available on current-gen consoles (PS5, Xbox Series) and PC (EGS).