It ’s been a long time since Konami has given us a new Castlevania plot . surely , we ’ve gotten some great rerelease collecting to help scratch that itch ( and asolid Netflix version ) , but the series has n’t pump out a full new game in over a decade . Thankfully , indie developers have step in to satiate that hunger . Games likeBloodstained : Ritual of the Nightserve as splendid choice that enamor the spirit of Castlevania .
If you ’re looking for another game in that vena , you ’ll want to giveBlade Chimeraa guessing . It ’s the exact jolt of whip - cracking , demon - slaying 2D activity you ’re crave .
release last week on PC and Nintendo Switch , Blade Chimerais the modish release from Team Ladybug . The studio apartment previously release the absurdly - titledRecord of Lodoss War : Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth , a standout 2021 Metroidvania that drew inspiration fromCastlevania : Symphony of the Night . Blade Chimerafollows up on that success with another pixel graphics action game that leaf on Castlevania while adding its own tailspin .
Set in a hacker version of Japan , Blade Chimerafollows a mysterious torpedo named Shin who is charter to kill daimon . In a gimmick of fate , though , Shin befriend a demon describe Lux who takes the form of a shapeshifting sword . That frame-up sets the stage for a distinctive activeness - risky venture game where Shin lather through hallways full of monster and utilize a spate of sword powers , from time handling to grappling , to explore a dark humans .
While its story is a bite of snowy haphazardness at times , Blade Chimeraexcels as a 2D legal action game with just enough RPG layers to call Castlevania to mind . That start out with Shin ’s two weapon expansion slot , which can be filled with either foresighted or close range tools . In my playthrough , I ’m using a full - auto motorcar gun in one one-armed bandit and a long whip in the other . Those arm operate hand - in - hand with magic attacks and my blade superpower . For instance , I can dig Lux into the ground to make a roadblock around myself or discard them out to rack up foes with a devastating attack . There ’s a surprising amount of profoundness to battle thanks to commix - and - match customization . Of course , there ’s classic Castlevania RPG progression too ; bolt down enough enemy outcome in a conversant screen door - immobilise level - up .
What I especially love , though , is thatBlade Chimeragoes out of its way to make certain player are n’t wasting their meter . This is yourtypical Metroidvaniawhere maps are fill with secrets that are locked behind door that need keycard or unlockable skills like slither . Rather than forcing Shin to always double back , instrumentalist can fast travel to any square on the map instantly . That acquire the arduous task oeuvre out of exploration , as I can just zip straight back to a locked area once I ’ve amaze the right ability . It ’s a aerodynamic game for those who detest that repetitive nature of late - biz Metroidvania item - hunt .
Blade Chimerais out now on Nintendo Switch and PC .
