Blade Chimera

Release Date: January 16, 2025

Action, science fiction, platformers, RPG elements, 2D, metroidvania, indie games, side-scroll, singleplayer

8.2

OpenCritic

90%

Steam

Rate It!

An action platformer metroidvania. Blade Chimera has us playing as the warrior Shin, traversing a dystopian sci-fi world, cutting down hordes of monsters while trying to remember his past.

Videos and Screens

[1:36] Blade Chimera - Launch Trailer

[1:32] Blade Chimera - Release Date Trailer

8.2

OpenCritic Rating

Game is Recomended by 86% of Critics. There are 21 Critic Reviews.

OpenCritic

Try Hard Guides: 9 / 10 by Erik Hodges

Blade Chimera feels like a breath of fresh air for the Metroidvania genre, standing out with its gameplay and design choices—though keyboard players may want to grab a controller for this one.

Full Review

GameLuster: 8 / 10 by Tim Jewett

Mixing a fantastical cyberpunk narrative with fast-paced back and forth Metroidvania action, all displayed in a fantastically crisp pixel art style, Blade Chimera had me hooked start to finish.

Full Review

8Bit/Digi: 10 / 10 by Stan Rezaee

Blade Chimera will grab your attention with its captivating style while keeping you engaged with its experience.

Full Review

90%

STEAM Score

All Reviews: Very Positive (50)

STEAM

User Reviews Summary generated by AI

The main pros of the game

Visuals and Art Style: The pixel art and animations are praised as stunning and detailed, contributing significantly to the game's aesthetic appeal.
Engaging Combat System: The combat mechanics, including the use of a sword companion (Lux) and a variety of weapons, are highlighted as fluid and enjoyable, allowing for creative gameplay.
Fast Travel Feature: The ability to warp to any previously visited location enhances exploration and reduces backtracking, making the game more accessible.
Interesting Boss Fights: Many players found the boss encounters to be engaging and fun, with unique mechanics.
Solid Soundtrack: The music is generally well-received, with some tracks described as catchy and fitting for the game's atmosphere.
Decent Story and Lore: While not groundbreaking, the story is considered interesting enough to keep players engaged, with some characters and lore that add depth.

The main cons of the game

Difficulty Level: Several reviews mention that the game is on the easier side, with some players feeling that it lacks challenge, especially in comparison to other titles in the genre.
Short Length: The game is described as relatively short, with some players expressing a desire for more content and longer gameplay.
Repetitive Side Quests: Many side quests are criticized for being mundane, primarily revolving around "kill X enemies" tasks that feel like filler.
Linear Level Design: Some players feel the level design lacks complexity, with many areas described as corridors or repetitive layouts, diminishing the exploration experience.
Control and Mechanics Issues: Some reviews point out janky controls, particularly with Lux, and issues with combat mechanics that can lead to frustrating moments.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

More Exploration and Upgrades: Players expressed a desire for a more traditional Metroidvania experience with unlockable movement abilities tied to exploration rather than a skill tree.
New Game+ or Boss Rush Modes: Many users wished for additional replayability features like a New Game+ mode or a Boss Rush mode to enhance replay value.
Improved Side Quest Variety: Users suggested that side quests should be more diverse and meaningful rather than repetitive tasks that feel like busywork.
Enhanced Difficulty Options: Some players wanted a more robust difficulty system or options to increase the challenge, as the current mechanics can trivialize encounters.

Summary

Overall, BLADE CHIMERA is seen as a visually stunning and enjoyable Metroidvania with solid gameplay mechanics, though it suffers from some issues related to difficulty, length, and repetitive content.

Summary generated on: January 22, 2025

Blade Chimera is an action platformer metroidvania. It was co-created by WSS playground and Team Ladybug, known for such games as Touhou Luna Nights and Record of Lodoss War: Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth.

Plot

Blade Chimerais set in a grim future, humanity on the brink of extinction due to horrifying monsters. After thirty years of war, the survivors united under the banner of the Missa Association, a religious group whose leader knows how to defeat the demons opposing them.

The protagonist is Shin, an amnesiac warrior and one of the Association's best fighters. He wields the Lumina sword, actually a demon named Lux. The unusual couple traverses the world together, facing all sorts of dangers. On their journey, Shin gradually remembers his past and his forgotten skills.

Mechanics

Blade Chimera is a side-scroller. The player traverses various, interconnected locations, jumps on platforms, avoids traps, obstacles and cuts down enemy hordes. Apart from regular enemies, we'll also face much more powerful bosses. Combat is fast-paced, requiring constant movement and good use of our weapons - Lumina, daggers and ranged weapons. As we progress, we grow more powerful and gain new abilities, becoming capable of fighting stronger foes and reaching previously inaccessible areas.