Home > Game Reviews
Blade Chimera is a new Metroidvania title that breaks the mold and hits you with nostalgic vibe . Interesting mechanics and expectant worldbuilding await at an improbably fair price , with a becoming pace and a difficultness that makes the game accessible to new players while still invoke to genre veterans . However , some die - hard Metroidvania fan might determine certain aspect of the game more mid - tier up , and player without a controller may need to snaffle one or skitter the plot altogether .
If you ’ve show any of my reviews before , you ’ll know the Metroidvania literary genre — games barrack by the gameplay stylings of Metroid and Castlevania — is not a personal favorite of mine . While I often find out certain gameplay chemical element in these game repetitive or unsympathetic , I always praise their consistent visual excellence and original worldbuilding . Not only does Blade Chimera stay on that custom , but it also make some interesting improvements on automobile mechanic I in person dislike .
The game follows the story of Shin , a professional fiend hunting watch in a haunted sci - fi version of Osaka . task with hunting down demons , which take the variant of yokai from Nipponese mythology , Shin ends up bind with a ogre himself . This bond gives him the ability to manifest a ghostly blade and rearward clip , two abilities that become of the essence in the trials onward .
I was instantly enamored with the setting . While I was n’t particularly impressed by the intention of some of the chief characters , I found myself quickly eat up in the mankind as a whole . The retro - futuristic Osaka reminded me of early PlayStation games , with Metal Gear Solid particularly coming to mind . The cold , militarize esthetical and the purposely designed fictional character portraiture during video call section added to the nostalgia .
Although I was n’t thrilled with the quality designs , I found the enemy designs , unproblematic as they are , quite witching . As mentioned originally , the enemies in Blade Chimera take the form of Japanese yokai , often dressed in traditional garb , outdated clothing , or just rags . This visual dividing line against the secret plan ’s dystopian , futurist backdrop made the daimon feel like frequent intruders who do n’t belong . That said , the enemy variety is missing , and the repetition can become obtrusive as the game progresses .
All of this is portrayed through implausibly well - done pixel art , keep on the trend I note in my recentFinal Knight reviewof modern pixel games being stunningly design .
Mechanically , Blade Chimera is very similar to other Metroidvania title . You ’ll feel basic combat , a acquirement tree system , and lots of side - scrolling platforming . One notable change , which veterans of the musical genre might love or hate , is the reduction of backtracking — something that ’s usually a raw material of the genre . in person , I prefer it this way , as backtracking often feels tedious to me . However , this selection also make exploration finger underutilized and somewhat underwhelming , giving the secret plan more of a Metal Slug vibration , where the focus is on always labour onwards rather than exploring .
A standout mechanic is Shin ’s demonic brand . While it serves as a weapon system , it ’s primarily used in platforming . Whether create an superfluous platform mid - jump , swinging across gap , or restoring barriers and chopine from the past , the spirit leaf blade adds fun and creative options for sail levels .
The plot also places heavy accent on ranged weapon . Shin is principally armed with a grease-gun , which shift the glide path to combat compared to the melee - heavy systems typical of the genre . I find out this made the game fluid and quicker , as you may clear enemies from a distance and focus on platforming without worry about shelf camper or tight spaces .
Blade Chimera feel like an old arcade plot you ’d pump quarter into at a pizza pie parlour , so much so that play it with a piece in hand gave me a comforting sense of nostalgia . That say , the plot ’s dedication to this vibe comes with drawbacks . It ’s clearly designed to be played with a stick , and trying to sail with the default keyboard ascendance can finger pugnacious . While I have n’t tested it with a regular controller , I ’d commend using one — or well yet , a marijuana cigarette — over the keyboard .
Blade Chimera offers a fresh take on the Metroidvania musical style , blending retro - futuristic visuals with unequaled mechanics that keep the gameplay engaging . Its focusing on tight - paced action over backtracking may not appeal to all fan , but it creates a aerodynamic , arcade - like experience . However , the limited exploration , repetitive foeman , and keyboard control issue may detract from the overall delectation for some players .
The Final Word
Blade Chimera feel like a breath of fresh air for the Metroidvania music genre , standing out with its gameplay and design choice — though keyboard instrumentalist may need to grab a control for this one .
Blade Chimera was review on the PC . feel more detailed looks at popular and coming titles on ourGame Reviewspage ! Blade Chimera is available onSteamandNintendo Switch .
