Blades of Fire underperformed due to “huge competition,” says Digital Bros

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Spanish studio MercurySteam, known for Castlevania: Lords of Shadow and Metroid Dread, stated in a press release that their action RPG Blades of Fire has underperformed commercially. In other words, the game failed to meet publisher 505 Games’ expectations despite receiving positive reviews. For reference, Blades of Fire launched on May 22, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC via the Epic Games Store.

According to parent company Digital Bros, the reason lies in an oversaturated market and increasingly selective players, making it harder for new titles to succeed without a strong built-in fanbase. Digital Bros also reported that financial results for fiscal year 2024/2025 will be weaker than the previous year, with losses of at least €10 million, €8 million of which come from Blades of Fire.

The decision to release the PC version exclusively on the Epic Games Store further limited visibility, as many players prefer Steam or GOG. Social media comments suggest this may have been crucial to the game’s poor performance, although Epic likely offered substantial compensation for the exclusivity deal.

One of the game’s standout features is its weapon forging system, allowing players to create nearly endless combinations. By finding Forge Scrolls and leveling up forging skills, you can mix different alloys, handles, runes, and blades to craft the perfect weapon for any situation. Each enemy type presents a unique challenge, making the right weapon choice vital for victory.