Master Bladesmith
- February 3, 2020
- Elixir Games
- 12h median play time
Get on Steam"Master Bladesmith" is a VR role-playing game that allows you to craft your own weapons from raw ore. The game uses custom physics code for realistic interactions and includes mining mechanics to process ore and upgrade your washplant. In addition to weapon creation, you can burn calories by busting targets and testing your blades in exhilarating combat.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The smithing mechanics are engaging and provide a satisfying crafting experience.
- The game has a unique concept that combines crafting with combat in the Time Chamber.
- The developer is responsive to community feedback and actively works on updates.
- The game feels grindy, especially in the early stages, requiring repetitive tasks to progress.
- The Time Chamber can be frustrating due to hit detection issues and the chaotic nature of combat.
- The game lacks a comprehensive tutorial, making it difficult for new players to understand mechanics.
- gameplay85 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The gameplay in this title features a core loop centered around crafting and combat, which many players find engaging and rewarding, particularly in the context of VR. However, it suffers from issues such as grindiness, poor collision detection, and a lack of variety, leading to repetitive experiences. While some mechanics are praised for their uniqueness and potential, the overall execution is marred by bugs and a steep learning curve, leaving players divided on its value relative to its price.
“I think this gameplay loop is one of the best in VR gaming to date.”
“The physics and the gameplay loop are so enjoyable and feel very unique to this game; it rewards you in so many little ways as you play and discover all the little things that I won't spoil in this comment.”
“Really fun and addictive gameplay, all you would hope for in an RPG-like style with a main focus on smithing; it's like leveling up the smithing profession in WoW but you get to play in first person. 10/10, I'm loving it so far and can't wait to see where it goes in the future.”
“Unfortunately, an additional problem is that the sloppy main gameplay also happens to be extremely grindy, which goes hand in hand with crafting, a major selling point of the game.”
“I guess I will return to this game once in a blue moon, most likely when I forget how atrocious the collision detection is (and how grindy it is), but frankly, I do not think it is worth the current standard price given the quality of the main gameplay loop.”
“The overall gameplay of the 'time chamber' is a bit boring and sometimes even broken; this can be good or bad for you, either it's good and you do better because it breaks.”
- grinding37 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 3 % neutral mentions
- 97 % negative mentions
The game is heavily criticized for its grindy mechanics, particularly in mining and crafting, which can feel tedious and slow, especially for players seeking a more engaging experience. While some players appreciate the sense of progression and find the grind satisfying, many others feel it detracts from the overall enjoyment, making it hard to recommend for those who dislike grinding. Overall, the game's reliance on grinding is a polarizing aspect, appealing to some while frustrating others.
“Unfortunately, an additional problem is that the sloppy main gameplay also happens to be extremely grindy to go with crafting, which is a major selling point of the game.”
“The game feels extremely grindy without being enjoyable in the process.”
“It's a cool idea, but it needs either serious rebalancing or a core loop overhaul - it's way too grindy as it is.”
- stability18 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game is plagued by numerous bugs and glitches, particularly affecting the physics engine and gameplay mechanics, which significantly detracts from the overall experience. While some players acknowledge the typical issues associated with early access titles, there is frustration over the developer's focus on a sequel rather than addressing the current game's stability. Despite these challenges, a few users express optimism for future improvements, highlighting the game's potential if the bugs are resolved.
“The game is very buggy, and the physics engine needs work, but I guess that doesn't matter, because it's early access so things are going to be weird!”
“And while I would be more forgiving for actual early access, the developer himself reportedly mentioned working on the second part of Master Bladesmith, rather than polishing the buggy mess the game is in currently.”
“But when I got into the game, I was hit with so many bugs, glitches, and poor game design choices that hindered my experience terribly.”
- music13 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The music in the game is largely user-generated, allowing players to bring their own tracks, which can enhance the experience, especially during crafting. However, the in-game music is described as repetitive and lacking variety, particularly in the time chamber, leading some players to prefer listening to external music. While the sound design is generally well-received, the limited music options can detract from the overall enjoyment during extended play sessions.
“I also find the game a bit more fun putting some tavern radio on in Spotify and listening to some good music to set the mood while playing.”
“The crafting is oddly relaxing, the sound design is nice and music helps set a relaxing aura in the shop and smith area while the combat music in the chamber makes sure you know it's time to test the works you have made.”
“Just play some music in the background and it's Beat Saber but you craft your weapons.”
“The music, however, gets repetitive and so far I have found no way to turn it off.”
“It's nice, but when you're smelting for a couple of hours with the 2 or 3 songs (each area has a different song, the workshop, mine, and store), it can drive you a bit crazy.”
“Progression is slow, the time chamber is boring as hell, there's no NPCs to break the drone of the music, and the actual blade creation is locked behind levels (earned by doing the time chamber).”
- graphics13 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally praised for their high quality, with many users noting stunning visuals and impressive weapon crafting details. While some textures may feel generic or inconsistent, the overall aesthetic aligns well with the fantasy/medieval theme, contributing to an engaging visual experience. However, there are calls for more customization options to enhance the graphical experience further.
“The graphics are top notch, the weapons you can make are well done, and the combat portion of the game (while repetitive) is very good too.”
“Stunning graphics”
“This is quite a top quality game in terms of graphics and gameplay.”
“The graphics range from 'oh my god that's real' to 'that dude's nose is way too big', but overall it's an amazing looking game.”
“It feels like it's mainly default textures for a lot of stuff, and as a result, it looks alright for today's standards of graphical fidelity for VR.”
“The game also needs more options: graphics, audio, and general game options are missing entirely.”
- story10 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The game's story is criticized for being minimal and repetitive, with many players feeling that it lacks depth and variety. While some find the gameplay addictive, the reliance on the time chamber as a central narrative element detracts from the overall experience, leading to frustration and a sense of unfinished content. Overall, the narrative feels incomplete and fails to engage players meaningfully.
“It has an interesting story and addictive gameplay.”
“My only problem with the game is that the 'story' revolves around the time chamber, and I dread every time I have to go into it.”
“Do not buy this game; it is not finished. The dev has abandoned this game to start a sequel for more money without finishing this game. There are so many bugs and unfinished aspects. For example, the relics are not added. You can do all the extra steps, but you won't be rewarded because the dev didn't add it in. There's no story or continuation of any sort, just the same actions over and over. In my opinion, we need to stop supporting devs like this.”
“I'm new to VR and new to this game, but so far there isn't too much story or a very large variety of gameplay.”
“My only problem with the game is that the 'story' revolves around the time chamber, and I dread every time I have to go into it. I was having a blast just forging stuff and making money, but once I capped all my levels, I have to do the time chamber, which put all the fun to bed.”
- optimization4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game is inconsistent, with some users reporting excellent performance while others experience significant issues. Control mechanics are criticized for being uncomfortable and confusing, particularly when compared to better-optimized games. Overall, the game's performance and control scheme leave room for improvement.
“Performance is great.”
“The performance is absolutely horrible.”
“Rewards in each round are based on performance.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is often self-referential and light-hearted, with players enjoying the comedic elements while still being engaged in gameplay. Many find themselves amused by the game's quirks, leading to extended play sessions despite initially approaching it for other features.
“If you thought you might be funny like me and only play for the smithing elements, think again.”
“Most of my reviews have been funny, kind of poking fun at the game, but I could actually play this for twelve hours straight without getting bored.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features a captivating atmosphere that effectively draws players in from the start, creating an engaging introduction to the experience.
“This game has an interesting atmosphere and a neat introduction into the game.”
