X-Blades Review (PS3)
Introduction
This is an adventure hack-and-slash game developed by Gaijin Entertainment. This game has a spiritual successor game called Blades of Time, where the playable character has the same name but different artstyle.
Story
Ayumi is a treasure hunter, and she found a map that shows her next relic hunt. As she progress in the ruin, she found a relic that is guarded by a wolf beast. After interacting with the relic, she is overwhelmed by the power of darkness, causing her to be transported to another place. Ayumi must find a way to lift the relic's dark curse on her.
The story is simplistic, but not interesting enough to hook players. The playable character, Ayumi, is an attractive woman with a sexy design, but her personality is not likable enough in the game. Poor dialogue, poor voice direction, and poor personality. Other supporting characters are also poorly developed and acted.
Gameplay
This game plays like other adventure hack-and-slash games like Devil May Cry series. However, this game puts heavy emphasis on spells in combat. Ayumi can attack enemies with her gunblades close-range, use it to shoot enemies from afar, or use spells to defeat her enemies. You may also jump, or dodge while targeting an enemy.
Progression is simple, as you must clear a level to progress the game's story. However, unlike other hack-and-slash games, this game features interconnected areas, where you might have to backtrack to certain areas to unlock new levels. Most of the time, you are required to defeat all enemies in a level to progress. There are also some trap levels, but there are very few of them.
Whenever you defeat an enemy or break objects, you will receive Souls, which act as currency in the game. You can use the Souls to purchase new Spells, new Shooting upgrades, and items. Each Spell has different use, such as projectile attacks or weapon enhancements. You may also find artifacts in this game to learn new melee combo or new shooting move.
Combat is simple, as you can defeat enemies using Ayumi's melee attack, ranged attack, or spells. Each enemy has their own resistances, so you may have to switch between spells frequently to defeat enemies and bosses effectively. For example, a monster in the game is only vulnerable against a Light-based spell. Bosses are tougher than regular monsters, so you may have to use different tactics when fighting them. You may also check out the Bestiary on hints on how to hit certain enemy's weaknesses.
Overall, the gameplay is mediocre. Poorly balanced combat, mediocre level designs, poor enemy reaction against attacks, dragged out combat sections, too much emphasis on spells when fighting certain enemies and bosses, poor map design, and not many variety of melee combos. This is one of the weakest hack-and-slash adventure game I have ever played. The only pro I can mention on this game is the variety of enemies' elemental weaknesses.
Graphics
This game has decent graphics. Decent anime-looking playable character, with decent graphical performance. I don't particularly like the artstyle and cutscenes however. No bugs or glitches encountered so far. The game's levels look pretty bland, and the monsters don't look that great.
Sound
The soundtrack is mediocre. No memorable themes other than the vocal song played at the game's main menu. The voice acting is pretty mediocre too, with no standout performances that I really like.
Replay Value
This game has low replay value. You can play this game in harder difficulties such as Hard or Pro, unlock Good Ending, or collect all Trophies.
Conclusion
This is an average game. It is not the best game, and it ages poorly due to the deliberate old-school design. Unlike Devil May Cry games, they age better despite the old-school design due to polished gameplay controls. There are not much to like in this game, and I suggest that you skip this game in favour of other hack-and-slash games like Devil May Cry games, Ninja Gaiden games, or God of War games. At least, they are more entertaining than this game. Not recommended.
Score
Story: 4/10
Gameplay: 5/10
Graphics: 6/10
Sound: 6/10
Final Score: 5.25/10 or 21/40
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Decent elemental weaknesses and strengths of enemies and bosses.
- Decent graphics.
Cons
- Ayumi is a terrible playable character, especially her personality.
- Poor gameplay balance.
- Lack of melee combo variety.
- Poor enemy designs.
- Mediocre level designs
- Poor enemy reaction against attacks.
- Dragged out combat sections.
- Too much emphasis on spells when fighting certain enemies and bosses
- Poor map design.
- Hit-and-miss anime styled characters.
- Mediocre soundtrack.
- Mediocre voice acting.
- Low replay value.
This is an adventure hack-and-slash game developed by Gaijin Entertainment. This game has a spiritual successor game called Blades of Time, where the playable character has the same name but different artstyle.
Story
Find the hidden treasure.
The story is simplistic, but not interesting enough to hook players. The playable character, Ayumi, is an attractive woman with a sexy design, but her personality is not likable enough in the game. Poor dialogue, poor voice direction, and poor personality. Other supporting characters are also poorly developed and acted.
Gameplay
Hack-and-slash gameplay with heavy emphasis on magic.
Progression is simple, as you must clear a level to progress the game's story. However, unlike other hack-and-slash games, this game features interconnected areas, where you might have to backtrack to certain areas to unlock new levels. Most of the time, you are required to defeat all enemies in a level to progress. There are also some trap levels, but there are very few of them.
Whenever you defeat an enemy or break objects, you will receive Souls, which act as currency in the game. You can use the Souls to purchase new Spells, new Shooting upgrades, and items. Each Spell has different use, such as projectile attacks or weapon enhancements. You may also find artifacts in this game to learn new melee combo or new shooting move.
Combat is simple, as you can defeat enemies using Ayumi's melee attack, ranged attack, or spells. Each enemy has their own resistances, so you may have to switch between spells frequently to defeat enemies and bosses effectively. For example, a monster in the game is only vulnerable against a Light-based spell. Bosses are tougher than regular monsters, so you may have to use different tactics when fighting them. You may also check out the Bestiary on hints on how to hit certain enemy's weaknesses.
Overall, the gameplay is mediocre. Poorly balanced combat, mediocre level designs, poor enemy reaction against attacks, dragged out combat sections, too much emphasis on spells when fighting certain enemies and bosses, poor map design, and not many variety of melee combos. This is one of the weakest hack-and-slash adventure game I have ever played. The only pro I can mention on this game is the variety of enemies' elemental weaknesses.
Graphics
Decent graphics.
Sound
Mediocre soundtrack and voice acting.
Replay Value
Low replay value.
Conclusion
Skip this game and get other hack-and-slash games like Devil May Cry 4: Special Edition instead.
Score
Story: 4/10
Gameplay: 5/10
Graphics: 6/10
Sound: 6/10
Final Score: 5.25/10 or 21/40
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Decent elemental weaknesses and strengths of enemies and bosses.
- Decent graphics.
Cons
- Ayumi is a terrible playable character, especially her personality.
- Poor gameplay balance.
- Lack of melee combo variety.
- Poor enemy designs.
- Mediocre level designs
- Poor enemy reaction against attacks.
- Dragged out combat sections.
- Too much emphasis on spells when fighting certain enemies and bosses
- Poor map design.
- Hit-and-miss anime styled characters.
- Mediocre soundtrack.
- Mediocre voice acting.
- Low replay value.
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