One of the biggest challenges in the gaming industry is discoverability, with 40-50 games released every day. Steam in 2023 (as reported by Kotaku). This number has undoubtedly remained strong in the following years, if not increased. Not only does this influx hurt developers who just want players to see their game at all, but it can hurt gamers because it means their next favorite game could be buried under a bunch of others. One game on Steam that should be on your radar, especially if you like an emphasis on immersion Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 and way of telling Disco Elysiumis Bladesong.
Bladesong is coming to Steam Early Access on January 22nd and is billed as the “ultimate sword crafting game”. Players will have the freedom to craft any sword, including realistic swords from the East and West, as well as venture into highly fantasy weapons if they so choose. However, this game is wrapped in a story set in Eren Keep. In the world Bladesonglife goes on in a post-apocalyptic world, safe only because of the walls of Eren Keep and the iron fist of the Masked King.
Players will be able to work with their forge as much as they want in creative mode, but throughout the campaign players will be tasked with crafting different weapons. This will make them allies among Eren Keep, such as the Crows or Scholars, and potentially attract the attention or wrath of the Masked King. They also find themselves embroiled in the mystery of a former blacksmith who mysteriously disappeared before the player assumed the role.
A quick look at Bladesong's features
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Preliminary release: January 22
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Craft any style of sword you desire
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Improve and dominate your business in a fantasy world
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Uncover the mysteries and secrets hidden throughout the sanctuary
Bladesong is developed by SUN AND SERPENT Creations and published by Mythwright, who previously published games such as Terratech and Thronefall.
Why Early Access? With the release of Bladesong Early Access, we want to finally give you access to the sword crafting tools we've been building and testing over the past years in Bladesong's creative mode. With your help, we want to further refine these tools while refining the gameplay of Story Mode and creating the remaining chapters of Bladesong's ambitious narrative.
Weaponsmithing Bladesong has a touch of KCD2 realism with more range and fantasy
Fantasy and realism in the game go hand in hand Bladesong. Using free blade shaping and a modular construction system, players will be able to create the weapons they prefer. It can be eastern or western, historical or fantasy, or even futuristic, but every part of this crafting system is up to the player. With a library of sword parts and engravings, they can customize every detail, craft every piece of it, and decorate the weapon as they wish. There are plenty of materials to make each order (in campaign mode) or creation (in creative mode) unique, from basics like leather and metal to advanced ones like obsidian and ivory.
As players progress through the campaign mode, they will be able to expand their collection of sword parts. They will also be able to share creations, participate in community challenges, and otherwise feel like a blacksmith in the real world. All the while they will have to live the life of a blacksmith Bladesong. Commissions will come from warriors, nobles, mercenaries and others, each with specific needs. Players will need to balance weapon damage and knockback ratings, curve blades, carve engravings, obtain rare materials, and keep up with their forge's demand. In fact, they may even need to hire subordinates to keep up with said demand.
According to the developer, you can enjoy Bladesong if you like the following games:
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Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
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Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord
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Baldur's Gate 3
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The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
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Hellish Quart
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Half sword
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Blade and Sorcery
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Building simulator for PC
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Potion crafting
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Disco Elysium
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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
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Total War: MIDDLE AGES II
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Dungeons & Dragons
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Pioneer
Bladesong's story delivery may not have the depth of Disco Elysium, but it has the same freedom
Bladesongcrafting gameplay might be enough for some players, even some developers, but the world Bladesong it is rich and it also depends on the presentation of the story. Disco Elysium is highly rated on Metacritic for, among other things, its diverse dialogue options and how its protagonist Harry Du Bois can interact with the world. to be clear Bladesong it may not have as much depth, but the freedom and delivery are similar.
The story will unfold through reading long texts that explore the world of Eren Keep. Players will be able to visit the Citadel Square or places like The Den, the local tavern, which are beautifully illustrated in the game. There, players can find some short-term peace, allies ready to fight, or unique opportunities depending on how they engage with the story. For example, the screenshot below shows the player assessing The Den's clientele and approaching the bar to find Crow fighting the bartender. They will learn more about the world and interact with it with a high degree of freedom, comparable to Disco Elysiumif not exactly with that depth. The main character is more stable than Harry it seems.
Bladesong will be released in early access soon
Of course, comparisons can only go so far. How good Bladesong lives until freedom Disco Elysiumnails atmosphere Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2it holds all its inspiration and brings something unique, remains to be seen, but players will be able to get their first taste on January 22nd. Plus, early access sounds exactly like it Bladesong needs. Its developers will be able to improve all this and more based on community feedback. in other words Bladesong becomes a better sword as all its players forge it.
