Die by the Blade
- May 16, 2024
- Toko Midori Games
Get on Steam"Die by the Blade" is a 1v1 weapons-focused fighter where every strike can mean death, with no health bars and a focus on reading opponents and exploiting mistakes. Your moveset is determined by your choice of weapon, allowing for strategic customization. Battle in local or online multiplayer, or test your skills in online ranked matches. One hit can decide the match, so choose your weapon wisely and stay alert.
PC
Playstation 4
Playstation 5
Windows
Xbox One
Xbox Series X|S
Epic Games
PlayStation
Xbox
Reviews
- The combat system is engaging and requires strategic thinking, making matches intense and satisfying.
- The game has a unique one-hit-kill mechanic that adds tension and realism to fights, reminiscent of classic titles like Bushido Blade.
- The developers are responsive to community feedback and are committed to improving the game with updates and new content.
- The game suffers from server connectivity issues, leading to long wait times for matches and a lack of online players.
- Many players find the controls clunky and unresponsive, which detracts from the overall combat experience.
- The game feels incomplete, lacking sufficient content and features, and is often compared unfavorably to more polished titles in the genre.
- graphics12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the beautiful visuals and unique art style that blends cyberpunk and samurai elements, particularly during intense combat. However, others criticize the quality of character models and the overall graphical fidelity, likening it to outdated technology and expressing disappointment in the pre-game interface. Overall, while there are moments of impressive graphics, many players feel let down by the execution.
“The art style is a mix of cyberpunk and samurai.”
“The combat is super fun and intense, with beautiful graphics and a great atmosphere.”
“I really like the graphics and effects during fights.”
“Graphics are unfortunate, faces look awful, gameplay is intensely clunky, and the pre-game UI is laughably bad.”
“It's baiting you into entering a AAA graphics gameplay, but you find yourself playing with garbage graphics.”
“It almost felt like playing a PS1 game with a modern-day graphics overlay.”
- gameplay10 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 10 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by its accessible mechanics that are easy to learn but challenging to master, allowing players to quickly engage with the game. While many appreciate the unique one-hit kill feature and the competitive nature of the fights, some criticize the clunky execution and poor graphics, suggesting that the experience can sometimes devolve into repetitive actions rather than strategic play. Overall, it offers a fun and relaxing experience, particularly for those looking for a casual yet competitive 1v1 game.
“The mechanics are very easy to grasp, easy to learn, hard to master. You can get the hang of everything in 15 minutes of messing around; there are no intricate combos to memorize and learn.”
“I really loved the fights, animations, and overall gameplay.”
“I think this is an amazing 1v1 game with unique mechanics, and what I really like is one hit - one kill.”
“It is a highly competitive game, and you have to control individual stances and distances first (know and master mechanics), and after this, you are able to think and make strategy... at the moment I'm just in the getting-to-know-you phase.”
“Graphics are unfortunate, faces look awful, gameplay is intensely clunky, and the pre-game UI is laughably bad.”
“-gameplay- this game seems off...”
- optimization4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Overall, the game runs smoothly and performs well, particularly in its core mechanics and network aspects. However, some users have noted that it lacks comprehensive optimization, leading to issues like interference with other applications when alt-tabbing, suggesting that further improvements could enhance the experience.
“The game runs super smoothly overall, both from a performance and network perspective.”
“Runs smoothly.”
“The game does not feel particularly optimized overall, and it also caused issues with my Google Chrome when alt-tabbing, but the core fighting mechanics work fine.”
“The game runs very well, but obviously some additional optimizations wouldn't hurt.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by its absurd scenarios, such as fighting as a gangster with a katana and playfully flipping off defeated samurai, which many players find hilarious. Additionally, the game offers customization options that allow players to adopt a more serious samurai persona, adding depth to the comedic experience.
“Lmao, someone help! I can't stop laughing.”
“Fighting as a gangster with a katana against samurai and winning, then flipping them off, I find hilarious. But if you want to be a super serious samurai, you can do that too with the customization options the game gives you, which is also an added bonus.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with users reporting significant visual glitches and stuttering that severely impact gameplay, making it nearly unplayable.
“The bottom part of my screen has weird visual glitches.”
“A festering cesspool of glitches and stutters that rendered the entire experience unplayable.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users note that the developer's heartfelt response adds a layer of emotional connection to the game, enhancing the overall experience. This gesture is seen as a thoughtful acknowledgment of the community's feelings, contributing positively to the game's emotional impact.
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its beauty and intensity, enhancing the overall experience of the fun and engaging combat.
“The combat is super fun and intense, with beautiful graphics and a great atmosphere.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the replayability of the game to be strong, highlighting the strategic depth and mastery that can be achieved through multiple playthroughs.
“The replayability, strategy, and mastery that you experience from playing is outstanding.”
“Each playthrough offers new challenges and strategies, making it a game you can enjoy multiple times.”
“The variety of choices and outcomes ensures that no two playthroughs are ever the same.”
- story1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Users express disappointment regarding the absence of a story mode, indicating a desire for a more narrative-driven experience in the game.
“The story mode is completely missing.”
“I was expecting a rich narrative, but it felt shallow and unengaging.”
“The plot twists were predictable and lacked any real impact.”
- music1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Reviewers feel that while the current music and sound effects are satisfactory, there is significant room for improvement. Suggestions include enhancing the variety of sound effects, particularly by tailoring them to different characters and weapons, to create a more immersive experience.
“The sound effects and music could be improved, especially the sound effects. While the current ones aren't bad, adding more variety to certain animations or segments would enhance the experience. Different sounds for different characters or weapons would be a nice touch.”
“The music feels repetitive and lacks the depth needed to keep players engaged. It would benefit from a wider range of tracks that match the game's atmosphere.”
“Overall, the audio design is underwhelming. The music doesn't really fit the game's tone, and the sound effects often feel generic and uninspired.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The monetization model is generally well-received, with users noting the absence of necessary or heavily incentivized microtransactions, suggesting a player-friendly approach that does not pressure users to spend additional money.
“There are no necessary or highly incentivized microtransactions.”
“The monetization model is fair and doesn't pressure players to spend money.”
“I appreciate that the game offers plenty of content without requiring additional purchases.”
“The game is riddled with unnecessary microtransactions that feel more like a cash grab than a fair monetization strategy.”
“I feel pressured to spend money to enjoy the game fully, as many features are locked behind paywalls.”
“The monetization model is frustrating, with essential items only available through expensive in-game purchases.”
