MercurySteam Set to Reforge Action-Adventure with Blades of Fire, a Spiritual Successor to Blade of Darkness

MercurySteam, the renowned developer behind Metroid Dread, has officially unveiled its ambitious new IP, Blades of Fire. Announced during a recent interview on the Epic Games Store blog, the studio is poised to reinvent the action-adventure genre with a deep, strategic combat system and an intricate weapon forging mechanic.

A Return to Dark, Sword-and-Sorcery Roots

Set in an age of petrified steel, Blades of Fire transports players to a world transformed by a powerful witch queen’s spell—one that turns all the world’s steel to stone except for that wielded by her brainwashed minions. In this unique fantasy realm, players assume the role of Aran de Lira, a reluctant hero armed with a legendary hammer. Tasked with forging new weapons from scratch, Aran embarks on a quest to fight back against the tyranny that has reshaped his world.

The narrative places Blades of Fire as a spiritual successor to MercurySteam’s earlier work, Blade of Darkness, a cult classic known for its minimalist storytelling, challenging combat, and dark fantasy aesthetics. Co-Founder, CEO, and Game Director Enric Alvarez reflects on the journey:

"It’s like closing a circle. We started with a sword and sorcery game—very dark, very gritty, challenging combat. All these years, we’ve been craving to go back to that setting. Finally, we had the opportunity."

Alvarez’s passion for classic fantasy—shaped by films like Excalibur, The Princess Bride, and Ladyhawke, and literature such as The Count of Monte Cristo—fuels Blades of Fire’s vision. This new IP aims not only to revive the raw, visceral combat of old-school action-adventure games but also to provide players with a meaningful, strategic challenge where every weapon is as unique as its maker.

Forging a New Path in Weapon Customization

At the heart of Blades of Fire lies an innovative weapon forging system that offers unlimited customization possibilities. Unlike traditional RPGs where characters level up and acquire new skills, Blades of Fire emphasizes the importance of the arsenal you create. Instead of upgrading a character, players gather materials by defeating enemies and breaking destructible objects to forge weapons tailored to their play style.

The forging process is multi-layered:

• Material Gathering: Defeating foes and exploring destructible environments yields raw materials.

• Forge Scrolls: These unlock a range of weapon designs across seven distinct families, gradually revealing new blueprints as you progress.

• Component Selection: Players choose various components—each with specific trade-offs (e.g., an axe head made from rare Reaper Steel might boost slashing power and durability at the expense of speed).

• Intensive Forging Mini-Game: Once components are selected, a skill-based mini-game commences where players hammer and shape molten metal, with the performance impacting the final weapon’s repairability and overall stats.

Lead Game Designer Joan Amat explains, “Forging is a complex thing. We had to choose a way to present this to people that was both entertaining and useful for your combat experience.” This intricate system forces players to experiment and adapt, ensuring that every weapon feels personal and strategically significant.

Weapons in Blades of Fire aren’t static tools; they evolve with reputation. As your forged weapon gains repute through battle, it can be traded to Glinda—the master forger witch—for better materials, adding an emotional and tactical layer to every encounter.

A World That Demands Strategic Combat

Blades of Fire challenges players to think critically about each combat encounter. The game eschews flashy magical attacks in favor of a grounded, skill-based system where timing, positioning, and weapon choice are paramount. With a focus on directional attacks, stances (switching between slashing and piercing moves), and defensive maneuvers like dodging, blocking, and parrying, combat becomes a strategic puzzle rather than a button-mashing exercise.

Enemies in this world are designed to test various aspects of your combat prowess. From the chaotic Vexers—monkey-like foes using their own swords as trampolines—to heavily armored adversaries that require precise strikes at weak points, every fight is a dynamic challenge. MercurySteam’s art director Arturo Serrano cites inspirations from Frank Frazetta and Gustave Doré, aiming to capture vivid, dramatic compositions that break away from overly realistic designs. The result is a game that is both artistically bold and mechanically demanding.

A Journey of Passion and Resilience

For Enric Alvarez, Blades of Fire represents the culmination of a 24-year journey. From the early days at Rebel Act—where Blade of Darkness first introduced a gritty, sword-and-sorcery aesthetic—to the modern successes of Metroid: Samus Returns and Metroid Dread, MercurySteam has continuously pushed the boundaries of action-adventure storytelling. Now, with Blades of Fire, the studio is returning to a genre that resonates deeply with its roots while infusing it with modern design sensibilities.

Alvarez reflects on his personal inspirations, noting his childhood fascination with classic fantasy movies, sci-fi novels, and graphic comics. “Whatever little money I had in my pocket always ended up at the bookstore, the comic shop, the movie theater, or the arcade,” he recalls. “I thought it would be amazing to do something that combined it all. I still don’t know how, but that’s exactly what happened!”

A Promising Future

While Blades of Fire is still in development, MercurySteam’s commitment to crafting a rich, immersive world is clear. The game promises:

• A deep narrative with memorable characters: Follow Aran de Lira and his companions, including the intellectual and quirky Adso.

• A reimagined fantasy world: Explore environments ranging from the eerie, desolate swamps to colossal, wooden mountaintop castles like the Crimson Fort.

• A strategic combat system that rewards thoughtful play: Every battle and forging session contributes to your journey in a world where survival depends on ingenuity and perseverance.

What are your thoughts on MercurySteam’s ambitious new project, Blades of Fire? Will the deep forging system and strategic combat redefine the action-adventure genre for you? Share your excitement and insights in the comments below!