Importance Score: 12 / 100 🟠
Action RPG Blades of Fire Sparks God of War Comparisons in Gameplay Reveal
Spanish developer MercurySteam recently unveiled Blades of Fire, a new action RPG and a spiritual successor to the cult classic Severance: Blade of Darkness. Fans of the original hack ‘n’ slash title have eagerly anticipated this release, hoping to see a modern reimagining in the vein of the God of War franchise. However, after viewing the debut gameplay showcase for Blades of Fire, concerns have arisen that the game may lean too heavily into the God of War style, potentially overshadowing its own identity.
First Look at Blades of Fire Gameplay
The gameplay reveal presented an uncut, five-minute glimpse into Blades of Fire. The footage introduces players to Aran de Lira, the protagonist, as he explores a lush woodland environment. Combat ensues against goblin-like enemies and shambling undead creatures. Following the skirmish, Aran encounters and solves a simple environmental puzzle involving the remains of a ‘Cursed Paladin of Aurora’.
Combat and Weapon Mechanics
The initial impressions are promising, suggesting a competently crafted game. Combat appears impactful and deliberate. An intriguing gameplay element is highlighted when Aran’s sword breaks mid-battle, forcing him to fight with the broken hilt before switching to a hammer. Weapon crafting is set to be a core feature in Blades of Fire. While not explicitly shown in this preview, the footage does feature Aran activating a fast travel point to his forge by striking an anvil covered in stone with a hammer – a visually satisfying interaction.
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God of War Influences and Derivative Design
However, the presentation heavily evokes comparisons to God of War across numerous facets. Beyond the readily apparent combat similarities, the artistic style, color scheme, tempo, and level design all strongly echo Sony Santa Monica’s acclaimed titles. Notably, a scene featuring Aran and his companion Adso approaching a circular stone doorway is strikingly similar to environments from Midgard. Additionally, a magical bird perched on a standard immediately recalled Odin’s ravens from God of War, though Aran doesn’t engage in any similar creature elimination.
Blade of Darkness Legacy vs. Modern Inspiration
The gameplay footage appears overly derivative and strays significantly from the essence of Blade of Darkness, at least in the demonstrated segment. The original game from Rebel Act Studios, MercurySteam’s predecessor, exhibited an atmosphere closer to the Dark Souls series, characterized by a somber and unsettling tone inspired by Robert E. Howard’s Conan stories. Initial impressions of Blades of Fire lack this distinctively dark or unsettling ambiance.
Commercial Appeal and Hope for Originality
The rationale behind MercurySteam’s design direction is understandable. A significantly larger player base is familiar with the modern God of War games compared to a niche, PC-exclusive hack ‘n’ slash game from decades past. This modern approach likely aims for broader appeal. Nevertheless, hopes were for a more pronounced presence of Severance: Blade of Darkness’ unique character. Currently, the showcased footage resembles a somewhat less polished iteration of God of War.
Final Verdict Anticipated
Ultimately, this preview is merely a brief snippet. Optimism remains that the full release of Blades of Fire will establish a more defined identity, differentiating itself from the God of War template, irrespective of its connection to Blade of Darkness. Players will discover the final outcome soon, as Blades of Fire is slated for release on May 22.