Developer: Team Ladybug
Platforms: PC (Reviewed), Switch
Genre: Action
Publisher: Playism
Blade Chimera is a 2D Metroidvania game with fantastic pixel art that evokes the era of 2D Metroidvania games. Calling it just Metroidvania is too simplistic in gameplay, and it excels in most of the gameplay elements it attempts. It combines action, puzzle, platforming elements, and a sound upgrade system. The story lacks but doesn’t detract from the excellent gameplay I loved.
The game has an excellent art pixel style; each area is wonderfully rendered. The enemies, including the bosses, are excellently put together. The platforming elements also help the world-building create a cohesive environment. I enjoyed the mix of action and fighting elements with a rich upgrade system and a choice of a whole host of weapons. The weapon choices will directly affect the game, and your play-through will vary, so choose wisely, but try as many out as you can to find what you love.
The puzzle elements and flow of the game are sleek; you feel like a wanderer in this vast world, and each choice and decision you make will take you down a different path. The game entices you by showing you multiple paths; the avid adventurer will explore them all. I explored as much of the game as possible, trying to find that brilliant weapon and power-ups. The map is big and will help you navigate this wonderful world.
Talking about gameplay mechanics, the button layout is awful in Blade Chimera. I don’t know how they chose the default buttons, but they drove me mad for the first 30 minutes before I changed them. So don’t suffer like I did and change the button layout; once you do this, the rest of the gaming experience will be much more enjoyable.
Blade Chimera is a brilliant action-packed Metroidvania game with excellent world-building, a beautiful art style, and lots of puzzle elements to keep you trapped in this world. The choice of weapons and power-ups lets you play the game you choose. The music perfectly complements the immersive world and will keep you coming back. The combat and gameplay are solid, which underpins the whole experience.
Overall: 8/10
Enjoys more than the odd game, long time gamer, somewhat a technologist and everything else in between.
Also enjoys a good solid game of FIFA online. Currently PS4, XBOX 360 and STEAM.
