Blades of Fire is the most surprising game I played at GDC 2025

I entered the Blades of Fire demo at GDC 2025 with modest expectations, but I left feeling incredibly excited about it.

For those unfamiliar with Blades of Fire, it’s a new action game from MercurySteam, the studio behind Metroid Dread and Castlevania: Lords of Shadow. While it draws inspiration from Souls-like games, it sets itself apart with its unique combat mechanics. Players not only have to craft their own weapons and maintain them with gathered resources but also need to be strategic in their attacks.

Despite some initial awkwardness with the controls, Blades of Fire delivered some of the most enjoyable moments I experienced at GDC 2025. If you appreciate action games that break away from traditional conventions, keep an eye on Blades of Fire. This game has the potential to surprise players when it debuts in a few months.

Forging a new kind of combat

During my Blades of Fire demo, I navigated through a village teeming with soldiers and faced off against a colossal troll controlled by an evil queen. While there are hints of Souls-like elements in the level design and enemy difficulty, Blades of Fire introduces numerous unique gameplay systems that set it apart from traditional Souls-like games.

The standout feature is the directional combat system, where players must target specific areas on enemies by using different buttons on the controller. This system turns each battle into a puzzle, requiring players to identify weak points and adjust their attacks accordingly. It may take some time to get used to, but once mastered, it offers a deeply engaging combat experience reminiscent of For Honor.

Players collect resources by defeating enemies and can use them to repair weapons at forges scattered throughout the game world. Additionally, players can teleport back to The Forge and craft a new weapon through a forging minigame. During my demo, I opted to forge a hammer named Basher, which became my weapon of choice for the rest of the play session.

These innovative gameplay mechanics instilled a level of attachment to my weapons that I rarely experience in games unless they’re of legendary status. Naming and caring for my weapons added a personal touch, making it all the more devastating when I lost them in combat. The stakes felt higher, and the sense of accomplishment upon reclaiming a lost weapon was unmatched.

Overall, Blades of Fire offers a fresh perspective on the action game genre that took me by surprise during my time at GDC 2025. It quickly became one of my most anticipated games, and I eagerly await the full adventure that awaits when Blades of Fire launches.

Blades of Fire will be available on PC (as an Epic Games Store exclusive), PS5, and Xbox Series X/S on May 22.