Blades of Fire Demo Review: Unforgettable Experience

Blades of Fire Review [Demo]

Completely Un-forge-ettable!

Ever backed out of a decision you were set on, only to find out it was the best choice? As someone who's impulsive and often indecisive, that's a common occurrence for me. But this time, it paid off. My initial encounter with Blades of Fire almost led me to dismiss it entirely, yet I'm grateful I didn't, as it turned into an experience that far exceeded my expectations. From a rocky start, it evolved into a unique and compelling addition to the single-player RPG genre.

Yes, I'm raving about a demo, but stay with me through this review, and you'll understand how my initial disinterest transformed into eager anticipation for its full release. Let's ignite those forges and dive into this review!

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

We kick off with the game's introduction, which feels like a raw, unrefined lump of iron. I wish I could sugarcoat it, but knowing where it leads makes it even more disappointing. This is Blades of Fire at its weakest, and starting on a low note isn't ideal.

The game introduces us to Aran de Lira, a blacksmith in a secluded forest, interrupted by a distant cry for help. He grabs an iron axe, rescues a young Apprentice, but fails to save the Abbot. Aran then returns the survivor to safety, and that's it. The opening is abrupt, lacking the cinematic flair or engaging dialogue seen in other demos like The First Berserker: Khazan. It simply drops you into the game without much context or buildup.

Combat is introduced next, and I expected a simple system akin to Dark Souls. Instead, Blades of Fire offers a directional combat system similar to For Honor, allowing for overhead, body, and lateral attacks with heavy variants. Initially, it felt clunky and unnecessary, but as the game opened up, my perspective shifted. The combat system grew on me, particularly with the introduction of different damage types—blunt, pierce, and slash—which interact uniquely with enemy armor.

The game employs a color-coded targeting system to help you choose the right weapon for each enemy, making combat strategic and rewarding. With solid parry, block, and dodge mechanics, the combat loop becomes surprisingly fresh and engaging. It's a system that resonates with real-life medieval combat, appealing to enthusiasts like myself.

Understanding the game's mechanics, particularly the armor types, can give you an edge. Unarmored foes are vulnerable to all attacks, while mail-armored enemies resist slashing and piercing. Plate-armored opponents are immune to those but crumble under blunt force, and beasts with thick hides require different strategies. This depth adds a refreshing layer to what initially seemed like a standard fantasy RPG.

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

Blades of Fire features a unique weapon crafting system that sets it apart from games like Monster Hunter. Instead of crafting fantastical weapons from monster parts, you gather basic materials to forge realistic melee weapons.

The crafting begins at your divine forge, your central hub. Before you even start hammering, you sketch out your weapon, choosing every detail. For instance, crafting a spear involves deciding the spearhead's shape, cross-section, haft length, and materials. The same goes for swords, where you select the cross-guard, pommel, and materials for each component. You can even mix materials into custom alloys, tailoring your weapon's performance to your needs.

Every choice impacts your weapon's stats and performance, making this more than just a cosmetic exercise. It's about creating the perfect tool for the job, tailored to your combat style and the enemies you face.

The forging minigame, while initially confusing and poorly explained, captures the essence of real forging. You adjust sliders to shape the metal into the desired form, with each strike affecting the outcome. It's challenging at first, but mastering it offers a satisfying reward, and you can save your best creations as templates for future use.

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 at the forge. Defeating specific enemy types unlocks their weapons for you to craft. Footsoldiers yield swords, captains offer warhammers, and elusive assassins grant dual knives. This system encourages you to engage with a variety of enemies, and they respawn at your anvil, which serves as your checkpoint and resurrection point.

The anvil is your hub for recycling, repairing, and crafting weapons. Another unique feature is the Weapon Altars, which unlock new components for your weapons when you interact with them while wielding the depicted weapon. This rewards experimentation and repeated crafting.

The game's take on the souls system is also intriguing. Instead of currency, you drop your equipped weapon upon death, adding tension and a unique twist to the gameplay loop. If you die before reclaiming it, the weapon is lost, forcing you back to the forge to craft anew.

God Awful Voice-Acting with Unfinished World-Building

Unfortunately, not everything improves as you progress. The voice acting remains poor throughout the demo, with subpar recording quality and unconvincing deliveries. The casting for the Abbot's apprentice is particularly jarring.

The world-building also feels incomplete, with a lot of exposition but little payoff. While it's a demo, the lack of follow-through on plot points is concerning. If the narrative doesn't improve in the full game, it could be a significant drawback.

Not A Game For First Impressions

Blades of Fire's demo suggests a game that requires patience and an appreciation for its unique mechanics. It's not about making a strong first impression but rather about the journey of transforming raw elements into something exceptional.

The demo highlights innovative gameplay features amidst a mix of other elements that need refinement. While it may not be the standout title of 2025, Blades of Fire promises to be a memorable experience that grows on you over time.

Game8 Reviews