Summary
- Release Year: 1997
- Genres: Adventure, Role-playing game (RPG)
- Platforms: Amiga
- Publishers: Alive Mediasoft
Blade (1997) Review
Blade is a turn-based role-playing game developed by Westlake Interactive and published by GT Interactive Software. It was released for Microsoft Windows in 1997. The game is set in a fantasy world where the essence of a powerful demon, Quaal, has been trapped inside a sword for centuries. After a volcanic eruption, however, the blade is stolen by one of Quaal’s dark servants intent upon reviving their lord. Four heroes are called upon to retrieve the blade before it’s too late.
The player controls a party of four heroes, each of whom has their own unique abilities and skills. The game is played from an isometric perspective, and the player can freely explore the game world, interacting with NPCs and solving puzzles. Combat is turn-based, and the player has a limited number of action points per turn.
Blade was praised for its innovative control scheme, which made it feel like a tactical game. It also had a great story and characters, and the combat was challenging and rewarding. However, the game was also criticized for its simplistic graphics and repetitive gameplay.
Gameplay
Blade is a turn-based role-playing game played from an isometric perspective. The player controls a party of four heroes, each of whom has their own unique abilities and skills. The game world is divided into a series of maps, which the player can freely explore.
The player can interact with NPCs and solve puzzles to progress through the game. Combat is turn-based, and the player has a limited number of action points per turn. The player can use their action points to move their characters, attack enemies, or cast spells.
Blade’s combat system is unique in that it is more similar to turn-based tactical games of the time like X-COM, in that each turn is strictly divided into a player phase and an enemy phase. This means that the player has to carefully plan their moves in order to avoid being overwhelmed by the enemy.
Story
The story of Blade is set in a fantasy world where the essence of a powerful demon, Quaal, has been trapped inside a sword for centuries. After a volcanic eruption, however, the blade is stolen by one of Quaal’s dark servants intent upon reviving their lord. Four heroes are called upon to retrieve the blade before it’s too late.
The player takes control of the four heroes as they travel across the game world, searching for the stolen blade. Along the way, they will encounter a variety of enemies, including goblins, orcs, and dragons. The heroes will also have to solve puzzles and overcome obstacles in order to progress through the game.
Characters
The player controls a party of four heroes, each of whom has their own unique abilities and skills. The four heroes are:
- Anya: A skilled warrior who is proficient with both swords and bows.
- Gareth: A powerful mage who can cast a variety of spells.
- Isara: A cunning rogue who is skilled in stealth and lockpicking.
- Thor: A strong dwarf who is proficient with axes and hammers.
The player can choose to play as any of the four heroes, and each hero has their own unique storyline. The player can also customize their heroes’ appearance and equipment.
Graphics and Sound
Blade’s graphics are simplistic, but they are effective in creating a sense of atmosphere. The game’s world is rendered in a vibrant color palette, and the character sprites are well-animated. The game’s music is also well-composed and helps to create a sense of immersion.
Conclusion
Blade is a solid turn-based role-playing game with a unique control scheme, a great story, and challenging combat. While the game’s graphics are simplistic and the gameplay can be repetitive at times, it is still a fun and rewarding experience. If you are a fan of turn-based RPGs, then you should definitely check out Blade.
Score: 7/10
Review Score
7/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
