It’s so easy to get lost in Blades of Fire’s expansive dark fantasy world. There’s no clear indicator of whether you’re headed in the right direction, unless a cutscene plays, confirming that you’re on the right path.
Since it’s a Metroidvania game, that’s very much by design. You’re not supposed to find the perfect route on your first try. Players have to loop around and stumble upon that hidden nook they’ve somehow missed for the millionth time. This was a major concern I had with my review.
But anyway, if you’re here, it means you’re having a tough time navigating Blades of Fire’s world. So here are a few tips to help you find your way out:
Talk to Adso
Talking to Adso is the most reliable way to figure out where to go next. He won’t give you a direct objective marker, but he’ll offer a solid clue about your next goal. This is especially handy if you’ve forgotten what you’re doing after all the backtracking and fighting the same enemies over and over.
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+ 4On PlayStation 5, press Up on your DualSense’s D-Pad to ask him for guidance. He’ll give you hints, but it’s still up to you to piece them together, especially if you haven't been paying attention to the story.
Retrace Your Steps
Since this is a Metroidvania, retracing your steps is part of the experience. If you’ve played Hollow Knight or Metroid Dread, you already know how crucial backtracking is. Maybe you missed a specific key from a certain enemy, or overlooked a lever you need to pull.
click to enlarge+ 4It’s the small things that make retracing worthwhile, and you might even stumble upon secret areas with chests containing health and stamina upgrades. Just try not to get frustrated when you reach the same cave five times in a row.
Check Your Map
There’s no minimap in Blades of Fire. If you’ve played Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, you know how frustrating it can be to navigate without a guided UI.
click to enlarge+ 4In Blades of Fire, you’ll have to open the map manually through the menu. It's not always the smoothest experience, sometimes taking more than one button press to get there. But it’s worth the effort in the end.
The map can help orient you, showing areas still covered in fog of war. That one tiny corner you haven’t explored? It might just be the path forward, especially if you’ve been too busy fighting to notice.
Turn On “Show Next Objective” in Settings
This is arguably the most helpful tip if you’re really stuck. If you feel like you’ve been running in circles for hours, head into the settings and toggle “Show Next Objective.”
It might feel like cheating, but it’s not. It simply adds a large marker on your world map and compass, giving you a clearer sense of direction. It’s way more specific than Adso’s hints, though it does break immersion a little.
click to enlarge+ 4The marker disappears once you reach your objective. So the next time you get lost, just toggle it back on in the menu.
If Blades of Fire’s level design feels too frustrating, maybe it’s not the right game for you, and that’s okay. But if you’ve played your share of Soulslikes and Metroidvanias before, this isn’t your first rodeo. You’ve got what it takes to make your way through its tricky, interconnected world.
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READ: Blades of Fire - 5 Essential Tips Before You Play (Non-Spoiler)
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