Forged of Blood

Forged of Blood is a turn-based tactical RPG with a unique blend of strategic overworld conquest and deep character progression. Players control multiple squads (Talons) on a map, engaging in XCOM-style grid battles with cover mechanics. The game boasts a highly customizable magic system where players craft their own spells, alongside extensive skill trees and weapon specialization. The story explores a complex alignment system (altruistic, rational, hedonistic) that influences loyalty and outcomes, adding depth to the narrative.

While the game shines in its ambition, combat mechanics, and spellcrafting, it suffers from notable issues such as frequent bugs, balance problems, confusing UI, and a punishing loyalty system that causes troops to desert. The campaign’s time-limit and some repetitive map mechanics also frustrate players. However, active developer support and patches have addressed some concerns. Overall, Forged of Blood offers a rich tactical experience with untapped potential but requires patience due to rough edges and design flaws.

Highlights

Players praise the deep and flexible magic crafting system, which allows for creative spell customization. The combat is engaging with tactical depth reminiscent of XCOM, featuring cover and grid-based movement. The story and lore receive positive remarks for their uniqueness and moral complexity, especially the alignment system that impacts gameplay. The character progression and weapon skill trees are considered robust, enabling varied playstyles. Additionally, the strategic overworld map and squad management add a rewarding layer of decision-making.

Criticisms

Common criticisms include a punishing loyalty and alignment system that leads to constant troop desertion, frustrating players. The magic system, while innovative, feels underpowered compared to physical attacks and lacks clear tutorials. Many players report balance issues with enemy difficulty spikes and unreliable hit percentages. The UI is clunky and unintuitive, with poor camera controls and insufficient tooltips. Bugs and crashes still occur, and the time-limited campaign restricts exploration, reducing strategic depth. Lastly, some find the combat repetitive and the story pacing uneven.