PLAYISM, Team Ladybug, and WSS Playground have teamed up to deliver Blade Chimera, a captivating Metroidvania you won’t want to miss on the Nintendo Switch. In this game, you step into the shoes of Shin, a demon hunter who can’t recall anything about his past. What’s intriguing is that you’ll be paired with a shapeshifting demon named Lux. It’s quite the match, given your occupation, right? Lux isn’t just any partner—she can morph into a sword, dish out attacks, shield you from harm, and even transform into a platform to reach places you normally couldn’t. She becomes indispensable as you navigate the neon-lit streets of a cyberpunk-inspired Osaka.
As soon as you start the game, you’re thrown into the action. You control Shin using either the left analog stick or the D-Pad, jump with the A button, and launch attacks by hitting B. The Y button lets you perform secondary attacks depending on the items you’re carrying. Dodging is mapped to the L button, while the R button unleashes your equipped skill, consuming some of your magic points (MP) in the process.
Lux can be summoned with the X button. You can attack with her, create a barrier, or even use her ability to transform into large objects from the past, provided there’s a time distortion allowing it. She can also cling to walls as a platform or latch onto grapple points for platforming segments. Notably, beating enemies with Lux restores some of your health—an advantage that becomes vital over time.
As you fight through waves of demons and colossal bosses standing in your way, you’ll earn experience points. Collect enough, and you’ll level up, improving your statistics; you’ll deal more damage and withstand enemy attacks better. Make sure to explore each room, as you might find items that increase your maximum health and MP.
Defeating enemies also earns you money, which can be spent on life-savers like Life Elixirs for HP recovery or Energy Drinks for MP. Stock up for your journey with weapons and gear enhancements. You can sell surplus inventory for cash and take on side missions from HQ operators to earn extra funds.
Every level up grants you Skill Points, accessible through the menu. Here’s where Blade Chimera’s Metroidvania elements truly shine. Unlock skills such as the Air Dash to dodge mid-jump or cover expansive gaps and the double jump to scale higher platforms. These abilities open paths and allow deeper exploration.
Don’t overlook the utility of Lux, who echoes the unique vibe of this adventure. Collect experience to boost your stats, gather cash, and hope for those random loot drops. Sometimes luck lands you a rare find, like an unexpectedly powerful weapon—which happened to me with a lucky Chakram drop from a formidable Amenbozu.
Blade Chimera on Nintendo Switch is priced at $19.99, offering an engaging blend of gameplay, narrative, and aesthetics. This distinctive title is worth checking out for any Metroidvania enthusiast or Switch owner.
This review was based on a Nintendo Switch copy of Blade Chimera provided by PLAYISM.
