Stray Blade is an action-adventure game developed by Point Blank Games and published by 505 Games. In this game, you play as a character who died and was brought back to life in a mysterious, war-torn land called Acrea, the Lost Valley. The game is all about exploring this land, mastering intense combat, and restoring balance to the world. It’s available for PC and consoles, and we checked out the PlayStation 5 build.
One of the core features of Stray Blade is its combat system. The hyper-responsive combat system allows quick reactions and precise attacks to fully control the flow of battle. It merges strategic anticipation of enemy attacks with split-second blade-to-blade reactions, making for fluid and engaging battles. The combat is challenging, but also satisfying, making each encounter feel unique and rewarding. Purists might not find the combat mechanics to be deep enough, but we had a blast with them.
Another positive aspect of Stray Blade is its world design. The world ranges from overgrown city ruins to frozen caves and winding canyons, and each area is rich in detail and color. The level design is somewhat non-linear as well, allowing players to explore the world at their own pace, and rewards exploration with rare materials, recipes, weapons, lore pieces, and beautiful places.
The story of Stray Blade is intriguing, though not particularly deep. It’s told through NPC dialogues, lore pieces, and cutscenes, but could have been fleshed out more even though the lore itself is engaging, and the discovery of new locations and relics adds to the sense of mystery and intrigue. Having more fleshed out characters to live in this world would have made for a richer narrative experience.
One of the game’s weaker points is the lack of variety in enemy design. Many of the enemies have similar attack patterns and strategies, leading to fun but repetitive combat encounters. This issue is somewhat mitigated by the addition of boss fights that require a more strategic approach, but the game could benefit from more varied enemy designs.
Another criticism of the game is the lack of variety in environments. While the world design is beautiful, there could have been more variety in the types of locations players visit. This issue is compounded by the game’s non-linear structure, which can lead to players revisiting areas multiple times throughout their playthrough.
Despite these criticisms, Stray Blade is a fun and engaging game that offers a challenging combat system and a richly detailed world to explore. The game’s art style and character designs are also notable, with a unique aesthetic and a well-designed upgrade system that allows players to upgrade both their character and their companion, Boji. The Adventurer is a fighter who gains experience through battle, whereas Boji is a craftsman who increases his experience by finding pieces of ancient lore. This system encourages players to explore the world and discover its secrets, adding to the overall sense of adventure.
In conclusion, Stray Blade is a solid action-adventure game that offers engaging combat, a richly detailed world, and a unique aesthetic. While the game could benefit from more varied enemy designs and environments, the overall experience is enjoyable and rewarding. If you’re a fan of challenging combat systems and non-linear exploration, Stray Blade is worth checking out.
Score: 7.0/10
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