"Blades of Fire Demo Review: Unforgettable Experience!"

Blades of Fire Review [Demo]

Completely Un-forge-ettable!

Ever backed out of something you were convinced about, only to find out it was the right move? As someone who's both impulsive and indecisive, this is a familiar scenario for me. Fortunately, my initial hesitation with Blades of Fire turned out to be a blessing in disguise. What began as a rough and underwhelming demo transformed into an experience that the single-player RPG community has been eagerly awaiting.

Yes, this is about a demo, but stay with me as I take you through my journey from skepticism to excitement, eagerly anticipating the full release. Let's dive into the details and see why Blades of Fire is forging a unique path in the gaming world.

No Ashen Ones or Unkindled Here—Just A Humble Blacksmith!

Let's start with the game's introduction, which feels like a raw, unpolished lump of iron. It's the weakest part of Blades of Fire, but it sets the stage for what's to come. The game opens with Aran de Lira, a blacksmith in the forest, who hears a cry for help and rushes to save a young Apprentice with an iron axe. That's the entire opening—simple, yet effective in its minimalism.

While it might seem underwhelming, especially compared to other games with cinematic intros, remember it's a demo. The focus here is on gameplay, not on polished cutscenes. And speaking of gameplay, the combat system is where Blades of Fire truly shines.

The combat in Blades of Fire is unique, drawing inspiration from For Honor's directional system. You can strike with overhead, body, or lateral attacks, each with a heavy variant. Initially, it felt clunky and unnecessary, but as the game progressed, I appreciated the depth it added to the combat.

The game introduces different damage types—blunt, pierce, and slash—that interact differently with enemy armor. A color-coded targeting system helps you choose the right weapon for each enemy, making strategy crucial. The combat loop is engaging, rewarding players who pay attention to enemy weaknesses and adapt their tactics.

With solid parry, block, and dodge mechanics, the combat becomes a satisfying dance of strategy and skill. It's refreshing to see a game where real-world medieval weapon knowledge can give you an edge. Unarmored enemies are vulnerable to most attacks, while mail-armored foes resist slashing and piercing. Plate-armored enemies are immune to these but crumble under blunt force. And against beasts with thick hides, you'll need to switch to piercing weapons.

This attention to detail elevates Blades of Fire from a generic fantasy RPG to a game that rewards knowledge and strategy. But the real gem of this game is its weapon crafting system.

No Weapon Drops Here Either—You Gotta Make Your Own!

Blades of Fire boasts an intricate weapon crafting system that's unlike anything I've seen before. It's not about collecting monster parts to create fantasy weapons; it's about using realistic materials to forge detailed, functional melee weapons.

At the heart of this system is the divine forge, introduced during the tutorial. Here, you design every aspect of your weapon—from the spearhead's shape and cross-section to the haft's length and material. Crafting a sword? You decide the cross-guard, pommel, and every component's material. You can even mix materials to create custom alloys, tailoring your weapon's performance to your combat style and the enemies you face.

The forging process itself is a minigame that, while initially frustrating, becomes rewarding once you master it. You use sliders to shape the heated metal, and every strike affects the outcome. It's a system that captures the essence of real forging, requiring precision and patience.

Once you've crafted a weapon to your liking, you can save it as a template, streamlining future creations. This crafting system is not just about aesthetics; every choice impacts your weapon's stats and effectiveness, making it a core part of the gameplay loop.

New Blueprints, Weapons as Checkpoints, and Weapon Altars

In Blades of Fire, loot comes in the form of new blueprints, materials, and parts for your forge. Defeating specific enemy types unlocks the ability to craft their weapons, encouraging you to engage with the game's diverse enemy roster. The game's anvil serves as your checkpoint and resurrection point, where you can recycle or repair weapons and access the full Forge.

Another unique feature is the Weapon Altars, which reward you with new components for your weapons if you interact with them while wielding the depicted weapon. It's a clever way to encourage experimentation and repeated crafting.

Instead of traditional currency, you lose your equipped weapon upon death, adding a layer of tension to the game. If you die before reclaiming it, it's gone forever, forcing you back to the forge. This mechanic creates a compelling loop of crafting, fighting, and reclaiming your gear.

God Awful Voice-Acting with Unfinished World-Building

Unfortunately, not everything in Blades of Fire is a masterpiece. The voice acting is subpar, with poor recording quality and unconvincing deliveries. The casting choices, especially for the Abbot's apprentice, leave much to be desired.

The world-building also feels incomplete, with a lot of exposition but little payoff. While it's a demo, the narrative needs significant improvement to match the game's other strengths.

Not A Game For First Impressions

Blades of Fire's demo might not make a strong first impression, but it's a game that grows on you. It's about taking something rough and shaping it into something extraordinary. The demo showcases innovative mechanics alongside areas that need refinement, hinting at the potential for a truly memorable game.

While it may not be the crown jewel of 2025, Blades of Fire is a game that's hard to forget.

Game8 Reviews