MercurySteam's upcoming action-adventure game Blades of Fire represents a departure from typical RPG mechanics, focusing instead on realistic weapon combat and player skill. The game is set to release on May 22, 2025, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series S|X, bringing a fresh approach to the action genre.
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| A victorious warrior raises their hammer high, embodying the skill-based combat at the heart of Blades of Fire |
A Different Approach to Combat
Blades of Fire is deliberately moving away from the magic-heavy, stat-based systems common in modern action RPGs. Lead Game Designer Joan Amat emphasized that players won't be turning protagonist Aran de Lira into a magic god by the end of the game. Instead of filling the screen with flashy visual effects and spell animations, the development team is focusing on making combat feel meaningful through realistic weapon mechanics and thoughtful engagement.
Weapon Crafting at the Core
At the heart of Blades of Fire is the Forge system, which allows players to craft unique weapons by combining various materials. Rather than following the traditional RPG path where weapons scale and become more powerful over time, Blades of Fire takes a more realistic approach. Weapons don't automatically improve with character progression—their effectiveness depends on their craftsmanship, design, and how well they're maintained.
Combat Based on Realism
The combat system draws inspiration from historical weapon mechanics rather than fantasy RPG statistics. Instead of focusing on attributes like agility, strength, and dexterity, the game emphasizes realistic weapon properties such as edge alignment, balance, center of mass, and handling. This approach creates a more grounded combat experience where player skill and weapon choice matter more than character stats.
Enemy Design Philosophy
MercurySteam has designed enemies with chaotic movement patterns that force players to adapt rather than simply memorize attack sequences. The game features approximately 50 enemy types, and the combat system allows players to target specific body parts for tactical advantage. This creates a dynamic combat environment where players must constantly adjust their strategies.
System Requirements
For PC players, Blades of Fire demands relatively powerful hardware to run at optimal settings. To achieve 60 FPS at upscaled 1080p with high settings, players will need at least an Intel Core i7-11700KF or AMD Ryzen 7 5800X CPU paired with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 or AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT. Those aiming for 4K resolution at ultra settings will require significantly more powerful components, including an RTX 4080 or Radeon RX 7900 XTX.
Spiritual Successor Speculation
While not officially confirmed, there's speculation that Blades of Fire may be a spiritual successor to the 2001 hack-and-slash game Severance: Blade of Darkness. MercurySteam emerged from the remains of Rebel Act Studios, Severance's original developer, and there are notable similarities between the games, including the protagonist's appearance and the limb-targeting combat system.
Story-Driven but Unrestrained
The developers describe Blades of Fire as a story-driven experience that follows Aran de Lira's quest against an evil queen who can turn metal into stone—a particularly troublesome ability for a weapon-wielding warrior to face. Despite its narrative focus, the game won't hold players' hands, encouraging exploration and discovery through its mechanics rather than explicit guidance.