Bladesong

come for the swords, stay for the text adventure -- I'm really enjoying this game so far, but since it's in early access I figure I'll offer my genuine feedback. I'd love to see this game get even better. There's not much incentive to make designs in story mode that strictly fit the mechanical requirements, it would be nice to have some in-game encouragement to think outside the box (but also, that's what creative mode is for). I would really love a little more information on what the given sword parts are for, since you buy books that teach you how to add quillions and peens and I have no clue what those are and I would like to try to learn stuff about swords instead of just sticking them places to make my peen count (heh). There are some skill checks within the text adventure parts, but I'm honestly not convinced that my skills have anything to do with them. The game tells me that I have skills, but I don't think about them until a check happens. Even if I fail a check, there doesn't seem to be any consequences for it other than potentially death, which restarts my day and is very annoying to deal with. Resource management is also very annoying. I'm not aware of my resource count until I find I don't have enough to complete the sword I'm making, at which point I either buy the resources I need (I always have enough money) or I salvage some junk (this doesn't seem to be worth the action points honestly). The repair tasks also don't earn you nearly enough coin or XP to seem worthwhile. I've stopped doing them, and it's really confusing keeping track of things I've already done when I'm exploring the town after a day of forging. I keep accidentally doing nothing because there is some secret limit on how much stuff you can do before the day ends, and I worry that certain plot points are time based. This has been a bit frustrating to deal with. In summary, the game as-is is enjoyable enough for me to keep playing. It's semi-idle in that I can bang away at swords while also kind of doing other stuff, and the story is interesting enough to keep me going. It could use some polish though, in particular: * I would LOVE a codex/journal so I can keep track of sword anatomy and also who I've met and what they're doing (this might exist and I just haven't found it) * More/clearer consequences for failure/clearer indications of how your "end of day" works/more indication of your character build. Basically, if you're going to add RPG elements, add RPG elements. The story part is mostly text except for when it's not, and it's kind of confusing. * An incentive to make swords that aren't just meeting required specs with as few resources as possible

I like the concept the story is interesting, but shaping the sword from a square just didnt feel like it for me, im hoping that as development progresses they add more to it, like heating and quenching to shape the blade. kingdom come deliverince 2 had a very fun black smithing system and i was hoping for something more like that personally

played a bit , its basiclly just sword lego lol , theres zero mining or smelting , you slap parts on and shape them , which is cool but hardly what ide consider the "ultimate sword smithing game" or however they marketed it lol , its good but , not what I want from a smithing game

I did not expect the extremely compelling story that goes alongside the sword-making mechanics of this game. My only suggestions would be to revisit the pacing a little bit and increase the demands of the sword-making. The story pacing around the start of act 2 felt off in my play-through. As for the sword-making, the customers are not demanding enough for your skills throughout mid-late act 2. Increase the customer rewards and make me be creative with the system! Also, as you unlock all of the possible hilt options, it becomes increasingly difficult to navigate the menu. I hope something is done here to increase the navigation clarity 👍

The sword making in this game is incredible. There are essentially infinite customization options for creating any kind of sword you can think of (just take a look at the community hub to see what you can do). The game's mechanics are easy to learn and satisfying to use. The story is well written and has great worldbuilding. Overall just a really good game that's definitely worth the price.

sowrd

After 8 hours of play, I can definitely recommend this game to anyone even remotely interested in bladesmithing. It's not realistic insofar as actual bladesmithing is concerned, but it scratches that itch pretty good, but what really makes it interesting is the story/plot/questline around it. So far, I'm quite enjoying the immersion of the storyline, and the fact that you have to make judgments and decisions that have differing effects on the world and people around you. Even good or moral decisions can be turned negative, just like in real life, and that aspect brings realism where the smithing itself doesn't. I didn't get this game looking for an authentic smithing experience. That's not what games are for, as they're an escape from reality, so this game gets a huge thumbs up from me! Even if you're not interested in black/bladesmithing, the story and immersion of this game are compelling in and of itself as is.

Why does a game about crafting pretty swords have some of the best writing of any game this year???

It's Early Access... but its good... like really good... Like play for way longer than I should good... It plays better than most completed titles and is very fun while doing so... Its just good.

Art sound design and story is amazing but it lacks in the shopkeeping and smithing parts. kind of feels like that one mobile pottery making game but its a sword smithing game. Def would recommend still needs some work.