Bound By Blades

  • November 18, 2018
77%
Game Brain Score Based on 41 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Bound By Blades Game Cover
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"Bound By Blades" is a fantasy action RPG, both single and multi-player, inspired by Monster Hunter. The game features unique combat, brutal bosses, and customizable characters. It also includes cooperative gameplay, end-game dungeons, and crafting equipment from boss remains.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Windows
  • Linux
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

77%
Audience ScoreBased on 41 reviews
gameplay5 positive mentions
grinding3 negative mentions
  • The game features a charming art style and enjoyable graphics, making it visually appealing.
  • The combat system is unique and strategic, allowing players to switch between three different classes and difficulties at any time.
  • Co-op gameplay is fun and accessible, providing a good experience for casual players and those looking for light multiplayer action.
  • The game is very short, with the main story being completed in under two hours, leaving players wanting more content.
  • Gameplay can become repetitive quickly, as there are only ten bosses and limited exploration, leading to a lack of variety.
  • The combat mechanics can feel restrictive, with a node-based movement system that may frustrate players seeking more freedom in their actions.
  • story24 mentions

    The story is relatively short, featuring only ten boss fights that can be completed in about one to five hours, depending on player skill. While the narrative involves defeating corrupted beasts and offers a charming aesthetic, many players find the missions repetitive and the story's significance minimal. However, the game compensates with engaging endgame content, including tougher boss challenges and additional gameplay modes.

    • “The story takes you on a journey of glory as you are tasked, as the three bound, to defeat Ilycions; strange, corrupted beasts that were once furries like yourself, but got corrupted by whatever source.”
    • “Overall, the story is great along with the gameplay, and the art that follows is very well done; some frames do seem to be a bit lacking, but not enough of them for it to ruin the game in any way.”
    • “The panels of art really assist in the storytelling, and I was actually devastated when certain things happen.”
    • “The story really doesn't matter much...”
    • “But there are only 10 boss fights in the main story and it can be completed in an hour or two depending on your skills.”
    • “I beat the main story in less than an hour; there is 'extra content' after that, but it all seems irrelevant after completing the story.”
  • gameplay14 mentions

    The gameplay is praised for its replayability and innovative mechanics that blend classic RPG elements with unique character abilities, creating a rewarding and challenging experience. While some players find certain mechanics, like pet feeding and material collection, to be repetitive, the overall smoothness and engaging atmosphere contribute to a fun experience, especially for younger players. The charming art style and well-crafted environments further enhance the gameplay, making it a standout title from a talented indie studio.

    • “Developed by a talented indie studio, this game offers a refreshing take on the RPG genre, combining classic elements with innovative mechanics that keep players hooked from start to finish.”
    • “This aspect adds a layer of depth to the gameplay, making every encounter feel rewarding and challenging.”
    • “Gameplay really shines in this indie game and you can tell it was made with a lot of love.”
    • “However, there's this feeding the pets and collecting materials mechanics, which didn't sit well with me.”
    • “It doesn't entirely strip away the fun, but it does make the gameplay feel somewhat repetitive.”
    • “And when the environment would change, it gave the familiar setup a fresh feel each time, even though every battle has the same movement layout mechanically.”
  • graphics11 mentions

    The graphics of the game are generally praised for their charming and cute art style, featuring a lovely color palette and beautifully crafted hand-drawn visuals. While some players find the aesthetic appealing and fitting for the game's theme, others feel it may not resonate with everyone, describing it as reminiscent of a children's book. Overall, the graphics contribute positively to the game's atmosphere, despite some inconsistencies in quality.

    • “I liked the graphics with the nice color palette, the likable characters, the atmosphere, and the challenging gameplay.”
    • “The world of Bound by Blades is beautifully crafted with a stunning hand-drawn art style.”
    • “It's got a pleasing aesthetic which focuses on cute animals as the main characters.”
    • “Bound by Blades is a top-down puzzle shooter in which you are tasked to defeat several beasts by using one of three class characters; to me, the aesthetic was a nightmare.”
    • “The unique art style is not for me; it seems like something out of a children's book.”
    • “Aside from inconsistencies in the art style's quality and lack of further monsters, the game has a reasonable set of build diversity.”
  • music4 mentions

    The music in the game is highly praised, particularly the boss soundtracks, which enhance the gameplay experience and contribute to an exciting atmosphere. Despite some inconsistencies in art quality, the music stands out as a strong point, effectively hyping players during battles. Overall, the sound effects and music receive significant commendation from users.

    • “The bosses have a great soundtrack and gameplay is smooth and fast.”
    • “Each of these fights has great music which got me hyped, huge shout out to the SFX and music.”
  • grinding3 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and slow, particularly regarding the pet system and gear upgrades. While grinding is present and necessary for leveling and pet growth, many feel it lacks the depth and necessity found in more complex games like Monster Hunter. Overall, grinding is seen as manageable but not essential for progression.

    • “The pet system is tedious and slow.”
    • “In truth, the game doesn't have the depth or requirements of something like Monster Hunter, and grinding isn't really required.”
    • “However, you gain levels, grind for better gear, and grow your pet - so it's all doable with a lot of grinding.”
  • character development3 mentions

    The character development in "Bound by Blades" is praised for its flexibility and engagement, featuring three distinct playable characters with well-thought-out concepts and charming designs. Players appreciate the fast-paced gameplay and minimal hand-holding, allowing for a more immersive experience right from the start.

    • “The character development system in Bound by Blades is both flexible and engaging.”
    • “You find yourself with three playable characters that all act differently and have some actual thought put into their concepts; the character designs themselves are lovely as well.”
    • “The game is very fast-paced and there isn't a ton of hand-holding after the first fight (which I personally really enjoyed, as I dislike long tutorials), and the character designs are downright adorable.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    The game offers high replayability due to its variety of game modes and ranking systems, allowing for diverse experiences in each playthrough. The extensive customization options further enhance this aspect, ensuring that players can enjoy unique gameplay every time.

    • “Filled with multiple different game modes and ranking systems, which help to extend the length of the game and enhance replayability.”
    • “This level of customization ensures that each playthrough can be entirely different, significantly increasing the game's replay value.”
    • “Filled with multiple different game modes and ranking systems, which help to extend the length of the game and the replayability.”
    • “This level of customization ensures that each playthrough can be entirely different, increasing the game's replay value significantly.”
  • stability2 mentions

    The game generally runs well, especially in two-player online co-op mode, but users have reported occasional bugs and technical glitches, such as the "champion" achievement not triggering, which can disrupt the experience.

    • “This is such a super cozy and charming little game 😊 even better when played with a friend (2-player online co-op) and runs great with a controller!!”
    • “One of the issues is the occasional presence of bugs and technical glitches, which can momentarily disrupt the overall experience.”
    • “The 'Champion' achievement is glitched and does not trigger, leading to frustration for players.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is praised for its appealing graphics and vibrant color palette, which contribute to a charming and engaging environment, complemented by well-designed characters and challenging gameplay.

    • “I liked the graphics with the nice color palette, the likable characters, the atmosphere, and the challenging gameplay.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
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