Title: Blade Chimera
Developer: Team Ladybug
Publisher: Playism
Platforms: Nintendo Switch / PC
Reviewed On: Nintendo Switch
Release Date: January 16, 2025
Price: $24.99 (USD)
With a new year already underway, some big games have been released to great reviews. Games like Ys Memoire: The Oath Of Felghana and Donkey Kong Country Return HD are must-have titles. There’s another one that should be added to this list. Team Ladybug’s latest project, Blade Chimera, isn’t just 2025’s first Metroidvania, but the first action-pack indie game that should be in your library.
Synopsis
You play as Shin, a VECTAR soldier (demon hunter) for the organization The Holy Union. Shin lost his memories after being found in a cryogenics area in an abandoned hospital. After breaking into a closed mall, Shin is confronted by a demon, in the form of a dragon. Before the fight can conclude in favor of the demon, a voice calls out to Shin and saves his life while defeating the demon. A spirit reveals herself to Shin and tells him her name is Lux. Together, Shin and Lux must defeat demons while Shin recuperates his memories and reveals deeper secrets they will encounter on their mission.
Blade Chimera tells a full story with an unexpected twist but predictable plot points that still pay off. The story isn’t long, but it’s interesting after completing the game.
Gameplay
Blade Chimera‘s gameplay includes range and melee attacks. Lux, who shape-shifts into a sword and can control time, can use special abilities to help in your fight against the demons.
The gameplay goes like this. All your melee and range attacks from Shin will refill Lux’s magic bar after defeating them. Lux, can refill your life bar by defeating enemies or shielding you after range attacks hit your shield. When you collect Lux, your life bar will refill depending on how long your collection bar has spread out.
You also will level up when your experience meets a set amount which will raise your attack and defense but not your Hit Points. You have to find vials to increase your life bar and magic.
The gameplay will seem familiar if you played Team Ladybug’s previous games. For those new to Team Ladybug, no energy items automatically refill your life bar after defeating an enemy.
You can also unlock abilities for Lux and Shin by purchasing them. When you level up, you’ll be given ability points so you’ll be able to slide, double jump, use special magic for Lux, and more.
You also will control a Shibi but only for a short while. It’s the only stealth section in the game. There is another section, but without ruining the story and game, it’s a nice addition in the game.
As for the range and melee attacks, your range weapons are only guns while your melee attacks will be knives, swords, whips, and broadswords. It will be up to you to customize a setup of weapons. You also don’t have armor but you do have tapes that enhance you to be stronger. You can also buy weapons, items, and enhancements at the store. Very “vania’ in those aspects.
In attacking with the gun, you are given a limited amount of ammo that you can shoot but you have unlimited ammo. You can also get weapons from defeated enemies or find hidden rooms. You can buy guns at the two stores in the game.
Graphics
Blade Chimera uses a 32-bit sprite graphical look that pops and sets a nice science fiction tone to it. The use of color across the three maps that represent each section is well-balanced and isn’t busy which allows you to focus on the action that is before you.
The bosses also look impressive in the two forms that you will battle in the game. In true Team Ladybug form, everything is well thought-out with the use of the sprite design and colors.
Shin himself looks great and his animations are smooth and fluid when he’s shooting and moving at the same time. He does a shadow effect which you turn off in the options. Lux also shines with her translucent form and attacks. Team Ladybug continues to capture the spirit and craft of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night while still feeling original and organic.
Side-Swipes
Although the game is six to eight hours in play length, there isn’t a new game plus for speed runners. There isn’t a difficulty option, and once you have seen both endings in the game, there won’t be any need to revisit the world. These are the only problems I had with the game; but overall, nothing terrible about it.
Final Score
Blade Chimera is a sci-fi metroidvania of fun action, balance difficulty, and a wonderful story with a payoff that wraps everything up. With great-looking sprites, challenging bosses, and many secrets and puzzle pieces to find, Blade Chimera is a fantastic game that will hook you to the end.
Five out of five stars.
Have you played Blade Chimera or has it peaked your interest after reading this review? Let us know in the comments or on the Boss Rush Discord.
Featured Image: Playism
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