After putting the Stray Blade to the test, we are finally ready to give our final verdict. In this review, we will delve into the pros and cons of this product and provide you with our honest assessment. If you’re considering purchasing the Stray Blade, be sure to read on and discover whether this product is really worth your time and investment.
Stray Blade Review – The Final Verdict
Introduction
Stray Blade is a game that has generated a fair amount of buzz in the video gaming community, promising an engaging story, captivating gameplay, and stunning visuals. Developed by Point Blank Games and published by 505 Games, Stray Blade was supposed to be a contender in the action-RPG genre. However, upon release, it fell short of its potential. In this review, we’ll break down what the game got right, where it failed, and whether it’s worth your time and money.
The Combat System
The combat system in Stray Blade is the foundation of the game, and unfortunately, it has some design flaws that make gameplay tedious. Attacking enemies feels sluggish, and the hitboxes are notoriously wonky. The dodging and parrying mechanics, while functional, don’t offer the level of fluidity and responsiveness that other games in the genre have perfected. Enemies can be tough to tackle, and they feel more like a chore rather than something to look forward to. Additionally, the enemy AI is frustratingly dull, and the bosses lack the depth that makes their fights memorable.
The Story
The story of Stray Blade starts out promising, with the player taking the role of Farron, a warrior with a mysterious past. The premise of the story is intriguing and has potential, but it’s hindered by an uninteresting protagonist and repetitive dialogue. Plot twists fall flat due to predictable writing, and the narrative fails to deliver a satisfying payoff after a long and repetitive campaign.
Exploration
Exploration can be enjoyable in Stray Blade, with interesting lore and environments. The game has a nice-looking aesthetic, with a unique mix of cartoonish and dark fantasy elements. The levels can be intricate and rewarding to explore, with hidden paths and treasures waiting to be discovered. The game encourages players to take their time and explore, but the tedious combat mechanics detract from the experience.
Farron’s Skill Tree
Farron, the protagonist of Stray Blade, can acquire skills through a skill tree. However, leveling and crafting weapons are required to unlock them. While this adds some depth to the gameplay, it can also feel like a grind, especially when the mechanics don’t feel polished. Traversal skills, including a teleport and slam, are learned after defeating generals, and they add a layer of excitement to exploring the world. Unfortunately, these skills don’t feel fully utilized due to the combat and movement system’s lack of polish.
Additional Polish
One of the main issues with Stray Blade is the lack of additional polish. While some aspects of the game are enjoyable, they are offset by unpolished gameplay mechanics, lack of depth in the combat, and a narrative with simple dialogue that doesn’t keep the player engaged. The game would benefit from more time and resources invested in fleshing out systems and mechanics.
Conclusion
Stray Blade is a game that falls short of its potential. While some aspects of the game, such as the visuals and exploration, are enjoyable, they don’t outweigh the game’s flaws. The combat system’s design flaws make the gameplay tedious, and the uninteresting protagonist and repetitive dialogue hinder the story. While the game has potential, it could use additional polish to make it a more enjoyable experience for players.
FAQs
- Is Stray Blade worth buying?
While Stray Blade has some redeeming qualities, its design flaws and lack of polish make it an underwhelming experience. There are better action-RPG games available, and unless you’re a die-hard fan of the genre, it’s not worth the price.
- How long does it take to beat Stray Blade?
The game takes around 15-20 hours to complete, depending on how much time is spent exploring.
- Is the exploration any good in Stray Blade?
While the combat system may be tedious, exploration can be enjoyable in Stray Blade. The game has interesting lore and environments, with levels that can be intricate and rewarding to explore.
- Can the player get any useful traversal abilities in Stray Blade?
Yes, the player can acquire useful traversal abilities such as teleportation and slamming through defeating generals. However, these skills don’t feel fully utilized due to the combat and movement system’s lack of polish.
- What are some of the flaws in Stray Blade?
The game’s design flaws include a tedious combat system with sluggish attacking, wonky hitboxes, and frustratingly dull enemy AI. Additionally, the story falls flat due to simple dialogue and predictable plot twists, and the game overall lacks polish.
