Blade Chimera is a captivating Metroidvania experience brought to you by PLAYISM, Team Ladybug, and WSS Playground, and it’s a must-play on the Nintendo Switch. In this title, you step into the shoes of Shin, a demon hunter with a forgotten past. He teams up with Lux, a demon capable of transforming into a sword—a curious partnership given Shin’s demon-hunting role. But Lux isn’t just for show; she’s incredibly versatile, supporting Shin by attacking enemies, shielding him from harm, and even transforming into platforms to access hard-to-reach areas. In the vibrant cyberpunk setting of Osaka, Lux proves to be an invaluable ally.
When you first delve into this game, you’ll find the controls straightforward yet engaging. Navigate Shin using the left analog stick or D-Pad, jump with the A button, and unleash attacks with the B button. The Y button activates your secondary attack, which varies depending on your equipped item. The L button serves as your dodge, while the R button is used for equipped skills, which consume some of your MP.
Lux is essential to your gameplay and is activated with the X button. Her abilities range from offensive strikes and creating protective barriers to morphing into sizable objects when there’s a temporal distortion available. Additionally, she can attach to walls, becoming a platform, or connect to grapple points for advanced maneuverability. What’s more, defeating enemies with Lux can help replenish your HP over time, which is a boon in challenging encounters.
Battling through the game’s numerous demons and daunting bosses, you’ll earn experience points, leveling up to enhance your stats. A higher level means more damage dealt to foes and greater resistance to their attacks. Don’t forget to scour every corner for special items that can boost your maximum HP and MP.
As you vanquish enemies, you’ll gather money, which is crucial for buying helpful items. From restoring HP with Life Elixirs, restoring MP with Energy Drinks, or curing ailments with Miracle Mixes, there’s no shortage of supplies. You can also invest in new weapons and equipment to bolster your abilities or sell items for extra cash. For additional money, head back to HQ to check for side missions that provide extra cash rewards.
The progression through Blade Chimera also involves unlocking new skills by accruing Skill Points from leveling up. These skills, accessed in the menu via the + button, are pivotal to your advancement in true Metroidvania style. Unlock an Air Dash to enhance your jumping and evasion capabilities or double jump to reach new heights and extend your platforming repertoire.
Blade Chimera thrusts you into a vibrant Metroidvania world on the Switch, with the intriguing narrative of Shin and his demon-turned-ally Lux at its core. As you traverse cyberpunk Osaka, annihilate all enemies you encounter. Each defeated foe yields experience for leveling up and money for purchasing crucial equipment and items. Sometimes, luck will favor you with rare item drops, ranging from healing Candy to extraordinary weapons beyond those available for purchase. Personally, I struck gold when an Amenbozu dropped a Chakram, a weapon five times stronger than my standard arsenal. Priced at $19.99 on the Nintendo Switch, Blade Chimera promises an enthralling and rewarding adventure for any Metroidvania fan.
Please note, this review of Blade Chimera is based on a Nintendo Switch copy provided by PLAYISM.
