Hands-On Preview of Blades of Fire at GDC 2025

MercurySteam’s Upcoming Adventure: Blades of Fire

In an increasingly competitive landscape of AA gaming, where expansive budgets and sizable development teams are the norm, it’s becoming increasingly rare to witness a developer truly excel. MercurySteam, known for its creative craftsmanship in third-person adventure titles, has been diligently working on their latest project. Scheduled to launch in just two months, Blades of Fire promises to be an adventure that, while perhaps seeming conventional at first glance, reveals unexpected depth and richness.

Engaging Lore and Introductions

The journey begins with a captivating backstory that immerses players into the world of Blades of Fire. The narrative unfolds in a realm once ruled by gigantic beings known as The Forgers, now overshadowed by the malevolent reign of a Queen who possesses the alarming ability to transform steel into stone. Players assume the role of Aran de Lira, the son of a commander and a skilled blacksmith, whose character design mirrors that of a beleaguered Gabriel Belmont. Following a concise introduction, players meet Adso, a spirited sidekick, alongside a fleeting abbot whose early demise serves as a pivotal moment, propelling Aran and Adso into a quest to vanquish the merciless Queen. This setup efficiently establishes the atmosphere before the duo embarks on their mission, complete with a travel montage and an introductory tutorial focused on weapon crafting.

The Crafting System: A Unique Hook

Central to the gameplay of Blades of Fire is its weapon crafting system, which distinguishes it from other character action titles. Players can return to The Forge between adventures to select a crafted recipe, combining various ores and wooden materials gathered during their quest. In the hands-on experience, only basic materials were accessible, as the game was played from a fresh save file. Once the required components are collected, players engage in a mini-game where they must hammer out impurities and ensure the metal is evenly shaped for the blade.

Mastering the Crafting Mechanics

The crafting mechanics employ an intriguing but somewhat convoluted system. Players adjust a specified section of the blade using a sliding scale that affects both the chosen area and surrounding sections. This mechanic may take some time to master, as achieving a perfectly symmetrical blade can be challenging. Initially, crafting appears to primarily enhance essential attributes like damage and durability. However, players can also modify the handle type and add various flourishes and accessories, empowering them to create unique weapon builds that reflect different playstyles. The Forge, thus, acts as a cornerstone for progression throughout Aran’s journey.

Dynamism in Combat Style

Blades of Fire introduces an innovative combat system that leverages all four face buttons, each corresponding to specific body parts of enemies. This feature might be unusual, requiring players to adapt their tactics based on armor locations. Aran wields two swords and can seamlessly switch between them, with each weapon dealing varying types of damage (slashing, blunt, and piercing).An effectiveness system is also in play, where enemy body parts glow in different colors, indicating their vulnerability to specific damage types.

Durability and Strategy in Gameplay

Despite players’ desire to forge a potent weapon, the durability mechanics necessitate regular visits to The Forge. As is common in modern action RPGs, combat in Blades of Fire relies on a stamina system, which depletes rapidly during evasive maneuvers and continuous strikes. Fortunately, stamina naturally regenerates, and players have the option to hold down L2, entering a defensive stance to recuperate more swiftly.

Blades of Fire – Gameplay Showcase 1 [ESRB M] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bKp_mqNpXo)

Final Impressions

MercurySteam’s Blades of Fire might not have initially caught my attention prior to its GDC showcase, but after experiencing gameplay firsthand, I now see its distinct charm and innovative approach. The emphasis on forging and refining weapons provides a compelling twist to the action-adventure genre, making it a title worth watching. Even if the narrative follows familiar fantasy tropes, the allure of crafting powerful weapons and indulging in grand barbaric fantasies has me eagerly anticipating its launch on May 22nd across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S|X, and the Epic Games Store.

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