Boreal Blade

About

Boreal Blade is a single player and multiplayer tactical fighting game with a warfare theme. It was developed by Frozenbyte and was released on November 12, 2020. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

"Boreal Blade is a team-based melee fighting game with a focus on player versus player combat. It features four unique fighting styles and three armor classes, allowing for varied and tactical gameplay. Players can choose between one-handed and two-handed weapons, a shield and weapon combo, long thrusting pole weapons, and fighting unarmed, with the ability to throw items during battle."

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69%

Audience ScoreBased on 156 reviews

gameplay16 positive mentions

stability4 negative mentions

The game features a strong visual style and enjoyable combat mechanics, reminiscent of titles like Mordhau and For Honor.
Many players find the gameplay fun and engaging, especially when played with friends, highlighting the unique combat system and customization options.
The game is very affordable, making it an attractive option for those looking for a budget-friendly multiplayer experience.

The game suffers from a very small player base, making it difficult to find matches or enjoy the game without friends.
There are significant issues with server stability and optimization, leading to lag and poor gameplay experiences.
The lack of updates and developer support has left the game feeling abandoned, with many players expressing disappointment over its current state.

gameplay
37 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
49%
8%
The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising its unique and fluid combat mechanics that are easy to learn but challenging to master, while others criticize the lack of feedback, training options, and active development. Players appreciate the fun and satisfying combat experience, likening it to titles like "Mordhau" and "Chivalry," but express concerns over bugs, server issues, and the need for more comprehensive tutorials. Overall, while the core gameplay is seen as solid and enjoyable, significant improvements and additional content are needed to enhance the overall experience.
- “Overall, the gameplay is incredibly solid, with controls being simple and easy to grasp, and a combat system that is as enjoyable as it is intricate.”
- “The mechanics are fun and it's easy to play but hard to master.”
- “Gameplay is sub-par for an action game, zero feedback, no training arena and no one playing - sadly the game is not being developed actively as well and has most likely been axed by developers for poor reception.”
- “A fun and short tutorial that doesn't force the player to learn the various mechanics of the game and drops him straight into the whirlwind of battle.”
- “P2P lag fests, subpar fighting mechanics and a player base to rival my bedroom.”
graphics
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
18%
27%
The game's graphics are praised for their originality and unique art style, drawing comparisons to titles like For Honor, Chivalry, and Mordhau. While the visuals are generally considered pleasant and satisfying, players have reported some graphical glitches and bugs that detract from the experience. Overall, the graphics are seen as a strong point, especially for those with less powerful PCs, but technical issues remain a concern.
- “Not to mention how unique and honestly great the art style of this game is.”
- “Boreal Blade is comparable to Chivalry and Mordhau, with its own unique mechanics and art style.”
- “The art style is simple and nice.”
- “The game has original graphics, but it's definitely a shame that in its current state it is practically unplayable due to the small number of players, which for me was zero at the time the game was turned on.”
- “But I had some weird graphical bugs that I could not get rid of, and one friend was not able to click any menu items or have the game register any keyboard buttons.”
- “Simple graphics that really make the game.”
optimization
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players noting significant issues likely due to its early access status, while others praise the optimization as excellent. However, common complaints include laggy servers and a general need for further improvements in optimization. Overall, the feedback suggests that while there are positive aspects, the game still requires substantial work in this area.
- “There is nothing to complain about in the early access version - excellent optimization, interesting combat system, balanced weapons, a system of loot and customization.”
- “Oh, and of course, a slight bit of optimization would be delicious.”
- “Updates, optimizations, servers, and bots would be amazing...”
- “The problems I've noticed stem from it being poorly optimized due to it being in early access.”
- “This game is so poorly optimized it’s not even worth it.”
- “My one qualm is that the optimization is rather poor and the servers are peer-to-peer, so it's quite laggy.”
stability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is marred by issues such as inconsistent hitboxes for spear-like weapons, occasional crashes and freezes during gameplay, and visual glitches. Players have noted discrepancies between what the host and other players see, contributing to a generally buggy experience. While the game has potential, it may frustrate those who are not prepared to deal with these stability problems.
- “The only thing I have to notice, though, are the hitboxes. Sometimes it seems that spear-like weapons can't hit the enemy because you're not close enough, even though the weapon already touched them. Also, the game crashes or freezes sometimes in the middle of a fight.”
- “Pretty fun, but still a tad buggy with moments where what the host sees is not the same as what other players see.”
- “All in all, I recommend it based on the premise, but unless you're willing to put up with some buggy gameplay, lack of tutorials, and a very lackluster presentation in general, I'd say don't buy it.”
music
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The music in the game, composed by Antti Martikainen, is highly praised and considered a major draw for players, contributing to the overall beautiful design of the game. However, some users express frustration over the inability to play solo and difficulty finding online players.
- “I mostly bought this game because of the music (by the way, check out the composer Antti Martikainen; his music is always amazing!).”
- “Beautiful design + music.”
- “I mostly bought this game because of the music (by the way, check out the composer Antti Martikainen, his music is always amazing!), but I was actually curious... and I couldn't play it, couldn't find anyone online... I wish we could play on our own.”
story
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users express a desire for a more developed storyline, indicating that the current low player base may benefit from a compelling narrative to enhance engagement and gameplay experience.
- “The story feels disjointed and lacks a coherent narrative, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- “Character development is shallow, leaving me with little emotional investment in their journeys.”
- “The plot twists are predictable and fail to deliver any real surprises or excitement.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players highlight that the game's replayability is significantly enhanced when played with friends, making it a highly enjoyable experience that encourages multiple playthroughs.
- “The replayability with friends is fantastic.”
- “Every playthrough feels fresh and exciting, thanks to the diverse choices available.”
- “I love how each run can lead to completely different outcomes and experiences.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Character development is highlighted for its emphasis on unique personal design, allowing players to create distinct avatars that enhance their gameplay experience.
- “You can look super unique, and your personal character design can really empower your play.”
- “The depth of character development allows for a truly personalized gaming experience.”
- “Each character's journey feels meaningful, making their growth and choices impactful.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is highlighted by its lighthearted and amusing elements, such as the comedic experience of discovering quirky weapons and the absurdity of being defeated by unconventional items like a broom. Players find the game to be both enjoyable and funny, contributing to an overall positive first impression.
- “The first impression: a nice and funny game.”
- “It's fun finding different weapons on some maps; getting killed with a broom is the worst, but hilarious.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's monetization strategy is hindered by a sparse player base and insufficient advertising, which may be exacerbated by the developers' divided attention between multiple projects.