One of the biggest difficulties in the gaming industry is discoverability, with 40-50 games released every day on Steam in 2023 (as reported by Kotaku). This number has undoubtedly remained strong in the years since, if not increased even more. This influx not only hurts developers who just want players to even see their games, but it can hurt players because it means their next favorite game could be buried under tons of others. A Steam game that should be on your radar, especially if you like the emphasis on immersion Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 and the narrative method of Disco Elysiumis Blade song.
Blade song released into Early Access on Steam on January 22nd, billing itself as the “ultimate sword crafting game.” Players will have the freedom to make any sword they want, including realistic swords from the East and West, as well as venturing into imaginative weapons should they wish. However, this game is wrapped around a story that takes place in Eren Keep. In the world of Blade songlife goes on in a post-apocalyptic world, kept safe only by the walls of Eren Keep and the Iron Hand of the Masked King.
Players will be able to work their forge all they want in creative mode, but as part of the campaign, players will be tasked with crafting a variety of weapons. By doing so, they will make allies among Eren Keep, such as the Crows or Scholars, and potentially draw the attention, or annoyance, of the Masked King. They will also get caught up in the mystery of the former blacksmith, who mysteriously disappeared before the player took on the role.
Bladesong features at a glance
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Early Access Release: January 22
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Create any type of sword you want
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Improve and master your trading in a fantasy world
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Discover 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 Bladesong Early Access release, we want to finally give you access to the sword crafting tools we've been building and testing over the past few years in Bladesong's creative mode. With your help, we want to further refine these tools, while deepening the Story Mode gameplay and crafting the remaining chapters of Bladesong's ambitious story.
Bladesong's weaponsmithing has a touch of KCD2's realism with greater scope and imagination
Fantasy and realism in the game go hand in hand with Blade song. Using a free-form blade shaping and modular construction system, players will be able to create whatever weapons they prefer. It can be east or west, historical or fantastical, or even futuristic, but every part of this crafting system is up to the player. They can customize every detail, craft every part of it and decorate the weapon as they wish, thanks to its library of sword parts and engravings. There are plenty of materials to ensure that every order (in campaign mode) or creation (in creative mode) is unique, ranging from basics like leather and metal to advanced ones like obsidian and ivory.
As players advance in campaign mode, they will be able to expand their collection of sword parts. They'll also be able to share creations, participate in community challenges, and otherwise feel like a real-world blacksmith. All the while they have to live the life of a blacksmith Blade song. Quests come from warriors, nobles, mercenaries and more, each with specific needs. Players must balance a weapon's damage and parry ratings, curve blades, engrave engravings, acquire rare materials, and keep up with the demand of their forge. In fact, they may even need to hire underlings to keep up with demand.
According to the developer, you will 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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PC Building Simulator
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Potions Craft
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Disco Elysium
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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
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Total War: MEDIEVAL II
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Dungeons & Dragons
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Path finder
Bladesong's story delivery may not have the depth of Disco Elysium, but it has the same freedom
Blade songs crafting gameplay may be enough for some players, even some developers, but the world of Blade song is rich and story delivery is also important. Disco Elysium is highly rated on Metacritic for, among other things, its varied dialogue options and how its protagonist Harry Du Bois can interact with the world. To be clear, Blade song may not have that depth, but the freedom and delivery are similar.
The story will unfold through long text readings that explore the world of Eren Keep. Players will be able to visit Citadel Square or places like The Den, a local tavern, all of which are beautifully illustrated in the game. There, players can find some short-lived peace, ready to fight with allies 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 a crow fighting with the barkeep. They will learn more about the world and interact with it with a high level 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 Blade song lives up to freedom Disco Elysiumnails the vibe off Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2lives up to all its inspiration and delivers something unique itself remains to be seen, but players will get a first taste on January 22nd. Beyond that, early access sounds just like what Blade song needs. Its developers will be able to continue to refine all of this, and more, based on community feedback. In other words, Blade song will become a better sword thanks to how all its players forge it.
