Review: Blade Chimera for Nintendo Switch

Blade Chimera, an exciting Metroidvania offering from PLAYISM, Team Ladybug, and WSS Playground, is a game Nintendo Switch owners shouldn’t miss out on. Let’s dive into what makes it a must-play in our detailed review.

In Blade Chimera, you step into the shoes of Shin, a demon hunter with no recollection of his past. This journey gets even more intriguing as you ally with Lux, a demon capable of transforming into a sword. It’s a curious partnership, considering Shin’s profession, but Lux proves to be an invaluable ally. She can not only fight alongside you and shield you from harm but also transforms into platforms to reach those tricky spots in the cyberpunk landscape of Osaka.

As soon as you start the game, you’ll control Shin using the left analog stick or D-Pad, with jumps executed via the A button and attacks launched with B. The Y button serves up your secondary attacks, customizable depending on your equipped items. The L button is your go-to for dodging, while pressing R unleashes your equipped skills, consuming some of your MP in the process.

Lux, triggered by pressing X, offers a suite of capabilities. She can unleash attacks, morph into protective barriers, and even transform into objects from the past, given there’s a timed distortion present. She can be tossed up as a platform against walls and can latch onto grapple points to boost your navigation. Eliminating foes using Lux helps replenish your HP, giving you a welcomed advantage.

Progressing through the game involves confronting a slew of demons and imposing bosses, rewarding you with experience points. Accumulating enough of these points allows you to level up, which enhances your attack strength and boosts your defense. Be sure to explore every nook, as special items await that increase your maximum HP and MP.

Cash gathered from defeated enemies can be spent on various handy items, including life and magic elixirs, Miracle Mixes for ailments, and powerful weapons or equipment upgrades. Selling unwanted items for extra money is also an option. If more funds are needed, checking in with HQ for available side missions is a viable route.

As you level up, you earn Skill Points, which can be utilized via the menu access by pressing the + button. Within the Unlock Skills section, a variety of moves become available, pivotal for advancing in true Metroidvania style. Skills such as the Air Dash aid in dodging and bridging gaps, while the beloved double jump can reach new heights and, when combined with Air Dash, cover even more distance.

Blade Chimera expertly combines engaging gameplay with a thrilling narrative involving demon hunter Shin and his multifaceted companion Lux. Together, they explore a captivating cyberpunk Osaka, and players will find themselves enveloped in the rich storyline and gameplay dynamics. Be sure to challenge every enemy you meet—they can drop valuable items, experience points, and cash. Occasionally, you might stumble upon exceptionally powerful loot, like when I discovered a Chakram from an Amenbozu, making it my go-to weapon due to its incredible power.

Blade Chimera is now available on Nintendo Switch, priced at $19.99. It offers an engrossing experience for any Metroidvania fan.

Note: This review is based on a Nintendo Switch copy of Blade Chimera provided by PLAYISM.