ONE TO WATCH: Blades of Fire

Forging a New Path

Release Date: 22 May 2025
Developer: MercurySteam
Publisher: 505 Games
Format: PC, PS5, Xbox Series

MercurySteam, the team behind Metroid: Samus Returns and Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, is back with Blades of Fire, an ambitious action RPG set in a world where steel has quite literally turned to stone. Published by 505 Games and expected to launch on 22 May, Blades of Fire combines cinematic storytelling, dynamic combat, and a deep forging system in what’s shaping up to be one of the most intriguing titles of the year.

You play as Aran De Lira, a hammer-wielding knight on a quest to undo the curse of Nerea, the tyrannical queen who has petrified the kingdom’s weapons and plunged the realm into chaos. Standing in your way are corrupted beasts, warlords of shattered steel, and the land itself — twisted and fractured by Nerea’s malice. But Aran won’t be travelling alone.

In a move that echoes the father-son dynamic of God of War, Blades of Fire introduces Adso — a magical companion who brings brains and elemental backup to your brawn. Adso, who you meet early in your journey, serves both as a lorekeeper and a support character, firing off magical attacks in battle or solving environmental puzzles. His presence adds depth and levity to the world, not unlike Atreus, and early glimpses suggest his bond with Aran will evolve meaningfully over the game’s 60-70 hour runtime.

Combat in Blades of Fire leans closer to the likes of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order or the rebooted God of War series, favouring cinematic flair over punishing difficulty. That’s not to say it’s a walk in the park. You’ll need to observe enemy patterns carefully, know when to parry, dodge, or go on the offensive — but it feels more intuitive than arduous. The game’s most striking innovation lies in its unique control scheme: each face button on your controller corresponds to a different part of the enemy’s body. You might launch a head-cracking overhead smash or a swift leg sweep to stagger, creating a refreshing rhythm of decision-making in the heat of battle.

At the heart of the game — literally and metaphorically — is the forging system. Anvils, much like bonfires in the Dark Souls series, are scattered throughout the land. Here, Aran can rest, upgrade gear, and most crucially, repair his weapons. Weapon durability plays a major role in Blades of Fire. Your hammer, axe, or blade won’t last forever, and as they degrade in battle, you’ll need to decide when to push on and when to stop and repair. Weapon management doesn’t end there — crafting new gear involves an interactive mini-game that challenges your timing and reflexes, adding an extra layer of involvement that’s equal parts satisfying and risky.

This mechanic is bold — and it remains to be seen whether constantly monitoring and maintaining gear will enhance immersion or become a chore over a long playthrough. With a 60-70 hour campaign, there’s a real danger it could wear thin unless balanced carefully.

Still, MercurySteam is clearly aiming for something distinctive here. The visual design is bold and elemental, mixing molten forges, crumbling castles, and cursed forests. The soundtrack, from what’s been revealed so far, is a stirring mix of war drums and melancholic strings, fitting the story’s themes of decay and rebirth.

Blades of Fire is shaping up to be a genre blend that rewards planning, patience, and mastery — but also promises cinematic thrills and heartfelt storytelling. If MercurySteam can strike the right balance between challenge and repetition, especially with the forging system, this could be one of the year’s most memorable RPGs.

Fans of God of War, Fallen Order, or anyone craving a fresh take on melee combat should keep a close eye on Blades of Fire when it hits in late May.