Blades of Fire Demo Review: Unforgettable Experience!

Blades of Fire Review [Demo]

Completely Un-forge-ettable!

Have you ever backed out of a commitment only to realize it was the right choice? As someone prone to impulsiveness and indecision, this scenario is all too familiar. However, my initial hesitation with Blades of Fire turned out to be a blessing in disguise. What started as a rough and underwhelming demo experience eventually transformed into a standout single-player RPG that exceeded my expectations.

Yes, I'm basing this on a demo, but bear with me as I take you through my journey from skepticism to enthusiasm. 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!

The game kicks off with a less-than-stellar introduction, setting the stage for Blades of Fire at its weakest. We meet Aran de Lira, a blacksmith in a forest, who responds to a distant cry for help. After rescuing a young Apprentice with an iron axe, he brings them to safety. That's it—no cinematic flair, just a brief establishing shot and some text. It's a demo, and I understand that not everything is fully polished, but even other demos manage to weave in more engaging elements.

Combat is introduced shortly after, and it's not what I expected. Instead of simple Dark Souls-style attacks, Blades of Fire employs a directional combat system reminiscent of For Honor. At first, it felt clunky and unnecessary, especially since enemies don't block directionally. However, as the game progressed, this system grew on me, offering a fresh take on combat dynamics.

The game introduces different damage types—blunt, pierce, and slash—which interact uniquely with enemy armor. A color-coded targeting system helps you strategize, making weapon swaps crucial for overcoming varied foes. The combat loop becomes engaging, not through flashy moves, but through the interplay of its systems. It's a refreshing approach, grounded in real-life medieval combat dynamics.

What truly sets Blades of Fire apart is its weapon crafting system. Unlike games where you simply collect dropped weapons, here you craft every piece from scratch. It's not about hunting monsters for parts but gathering materials to forge realistic melee weapons.

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

The crafting process begins at your divine forge, introduced during the tutorial. You start by sketching your desired weapon, like a spear or sword, and then choose every detail—from the spearhead's shape to the sword's cross-guard design. You even mix materials into custom alloys, tailoring your weapon's stats and performance to your combat style and the enemies you face.

The forging minigame, while initially confusing, grows on you. It involves manipulating sliders to shape the metal into your designed weapon. It's a challenging yet rewarding process that captures the essence of blacksmithing. Once mastered, you can save your best creations as templates, streamlining future crafts.

New Blueprints, Weapons as Checkpoints, and Weapon Altars

In Blades of Fire, "loot" comes in the form of new blueprints, materials, and parts for crafting. Defeating enemies unlocks the ability to craft their weapons, encouraging you to engage with different enemy types. Your anvil serves as a checkpoint, where you respawn upon death, recycle, and repair weapons.

Weapon Altars provide another way to unlock new components by interacting with them while wielding the depicted weapon. This system rewards experimentation and repeated crafting.

There's no traditional currency; instead, you drop your equipped weapon upon death, adding tension to the game's loop of forging, fighting, and reclaiming your gear.

God Awful Voice-Acting with Unfinished World-Building

Unfortunately, not all aspects improve over time. The voice acting remains poor throughout the demo, with subpar recording quality and unconvincing delivery. The casting choice for the Abbot's apprentice is particularly jarring.

The world-building also falls short, with too much exposition and little payoff. The narrative feels unimportant, lacking any follow-through on established plot points. This is a concern for the full game's potential.

Not A Game For First Impressions

Blades of Fire may not make a strong first impression, but it's a game that rewards patience and investment. It's about taking something raw and unrefined and shaping it into something extraordinary. The demo showcases innovative mechanics amidst a mixed bag of other elements, suggesting room for growth. While it may not be the crown jewel of 2025, Blades of Fire promises an unforgettable experience.

Game8 Reviews