MercurySteam, the renowned studio behind Metroid Dread and Lords of Shadow, is facing challenges with its latest release, Blades of Fire. Despite high expectations, the game has underperformed commercially. Digital Bros, the parent company of Blades of Fire‘s publisher 505 Games, pointed to ‘challenging competitive dynamics’ and an oversaturated market as key factors behind the game’s poor sales performance.
With an influx of new game releases and an increasingly discerning player base, it seems that Blades of Fire couldn’t carve out a niche.
The game’s exclusivity on the Epic Game Store (EGS) has sparked debate among fans and analysts alike. Many believe that the decision to limit the game to this platform may have restricted its audience. Some players shared on forums like ResetEra that they might have been more likely to buy it on Steam, a platform with a much larger user base. ‘EGS exclusivity is a death sentence for an unknown game,’ one user wrote.
The game itself, which features blacksmithing mechanics and customizable weapons, received mixed reviews. While IGN highlighted its potential with a strong premise, they critiqued the game’s simplistic combat and lackluster story, ultimately awarding it a 5/10. Many players echoed these sentiments, calling it a generic action game that didn’t offer enough to stand out in the crowded market.
Despite the setback, fans remain hopeful for MercurySteam’s future. The studio has a strong track record with hits like Metroid Samus Returns and Metroid Dread, and many are eager to see what comes next. Whether Blades of Fire is a lesson in the harsh realities of modern game development or a minor blip in MercurySteam’s impressive legacy remains to be seen.