Engaging with the world of gaming, especially those steeped in fantasy, often sparks nostalgic memories of the past. Recently, an opportunity arose to explore Blades of Fire, a forthcoming action-packed fantasy title developed by MercurySteam. In addition to our gameplay experience, we had a conversation with the game director, Enric Alvarez, to delve deeper into the creative minds driving this remarkable project.
During our discussion, we inquired about the key influences shaping the story of Blades of Fire. Alvarez shared that the foundation of everything, encompassing the narrative and gameplay, originated from the idea of steel transforming into stone. He emphasized their dual role as both game developers and storytellers, actively merging these elements throughout the development process.
The narrative unfolds in a land where a witch acquires the magical ability to convert steel into stone. This newfound power enables her to ascend to the throne while simultaneously dismantling the weapons of her adversaries.
Alvarez elaborated on the symbiotic relationship between the narrative and gameplay, which blossomed from this common idea of transformation. He acknowledged that their storytelling evolved alongside gameplay mechanics, all inspired by the forge itself. Furthermore, he mentioned that their creativity was also influenced by various literary works and cinematic experiences. One film that particularly stood out for him was Excalibur by John Boorman, and he intriguingly noted Ladyhawke as another inspiration. The enchanting films from the 80s and even 90s served as a substantial influence on their creative vision.
Although Ladyhawke may not hold the title of the most renowned fantasy film of its era, it's fascinating to consider how such cinematic experiences shaped the creative processes of Alvarez and his team. Despite drawing inspiration from various sources, Blades of Fire carves out its own distinct identity. For a deeper dive into its fascinating universe, additional insights can be found in our complete interview below.