Battlesmiths: Blade and Forge

gostei

Battlesmiths: Blade and Forge is a free strategy RPG that mixes crafting, town building and tactical battles. I start with a small settlement and slowly turn it into a proper town while building up a group of heroes. What makes it different for me is that the equipment is not just random loot. I actually have to craft the weapons, armour and runes that my fighters use, so the forge becomes a big part of the progression. The crafting is easily my favourite part. I can make swords, armour and other equipment, improve them and add enchantments to change how my heroes perform. There is even a smithing minigame where I can take part in forging the weapons myself. I like that the gear actually matters in battles instead of just being something I collect and forget about. The combat is more about preparation than directly controlling every attack. I put together a squad of different classes such as defenders, archers, mages, assassins and warriors, then choose their equipment and abilities before the fight. Movement and damage are affected by the gear and runes, so putting together a good combination can make a noticeable difference when a battle starts. I also like the town building side because it gives all the crafting and resources a purpose. I can restore buildings, unlock new facilities and improve the settlement as I progress through the campaign. There are also different activities and modes to unlock, including the Arena, Tower of Trials, Labyrinth and clan battles. That gives me quite a lot to work towards once I get past the early stages. The biggest problem is that there are a lot of systems to keep track of. Crafting, resources, heroes, runes, buildings, upgrades and different battle modes can become confusing, especially when I am still learning what equipment works best with each class. The game has plenty of depth, but I think some of that depth could be explained more clearly. The free to play side is also something I have mixed feelings about. There are in game purchases and premium currency, and some of the progression can make me feel like I am managing several different resources at once. I can play without spending money, but the monetisation is noticeable and sometimes makes the progression feel less straightforward than it needs to be. I also think the semi automatic battles will not be for everyone. I enjoy the preparation and watching a plan come together, but sometimes I want more direct control once the fight actually begins. The strategy is mostly in what I do beforehand, so if I make a bad choice with my squad or equipment, there is not always much I can do to fix it during the battle. Overall, Battlesmiths: Blade and Forge has a really good idea at its core. I like crafting my own equipment, building up the town and then seeing whether the gear and squad I created can actually win battles. It can get complicated and the free to play systems are noticeable, but there is a surprising amount here for a free strategy RPG, and the crafting gives it enough personality to stand out. Rating: 7.3/10