PGC NEWS

The action RPG genre has seen its fair share of highly anticipated titles. Bound By Flame, developed by Spiders Studio and Focus Home Interactive, the team behind the promising Of Orcs And Men, certainly generated a buzz. Fans of the Witcher series, in particular, were drawn to the similarities in gameplay and style. But did Bound By Flame live up to the hype, or did it fall short of expectations?

alt text depicting gameplay in Bound By Flame

A World Engulfed in Darkness: The Story of Vertiel

Bound By Flame immerses players in the dark fantasy world of Vertiel, a land teetering on the brink of destruction. The Ice Lords and their Deadwalker legions, hailing from the Shadow Cold, have unleashed a devastating campaign, pushing humanity to the edge of extinction. You play as a mercenary, a member of the dwindling human resistance, who becomes infused with the power of a powerful fire demon. This infernal pact grants you immense power but comes at a steep price – your very soul. The fate of Vertiel, and your own humanity, rests in your hands. This intriguing premise, with its classic fire-versus-ice motif, immediately captures attention. The moral dilemmas and difficult choices you face throughout the game add considerable depth to the narrative.

alt text showing environment in Bound By Flame

Familiar RPG Elements with a Twist

Bound By Flame consciously invites comparisons to The Witcher, but it attempts to carve its own path with a captivating story and unique world-building. The game offers a diverse skill system with three distinct playstyles: the heavily armored Warrior, the nimble Ranger, and a third, fire-based magic path unlocked as the story progresses. This allows for a personalized experience, though specializing in one path may be more effective than spreading your skill points too thinly.

alt text displaying character customization

The crafting system also adds another layer of customization. Instead of traditional gem-socketing, players attach various pieces of armor and weapon enhancements, providing both stat boosts and visual flair. This adds depth to character progression and encourages experimentation with different builds.

Companionship and Romance on the Battlefield

Your journey in Vertiel is not a solitary one. Bound By Flame features a companion system that allows you to issue commands in combat, adding a tactical element to the gameplay. These companions, while not permanently killable, can be incapacitated, forcing you to adapt your strategies. Interestingly, these companions are more than just tools of war. They have personalities, emotions, and react to your choices, even becoming potential romantic partners regardless of gender. These relationships add an unexpected layer of emotional depth to the game.

alt text depicting combat in Bound By Flame

A Fallen Idol: Where Bound By Flame Stumbles

Despite its promising aspects, Bound By Flame suffers from some significant flaws. The combat system, while initially appearing complex, boils down to light and heavy attacks with little practical difference. Long attack animations leave you vulnerable, and the enemy AI, much like your companions, often behaves erratically. Even boss battles feel repetitive, with limited enemy variety distinguished primarily by color palette. The frequent, random slow-motion sequences further disrupt the flow of combat, adding little value to the experience.

alt text showing weapon and armor upgrade system

Unfortunately, the companion AI proves more of a hindrance than a help. Their combat ineffectiveness and tendency to be incapacitated quickly leaves you to carry the weight of every battle. The command system, intended to provide tactical control, is hampered by clumsy controls and a frustrating camera.

alt text depicting a scene in Bound By Flame

Technical Shortcomings: A Disappointing Presentation

The game’s visuals and audio further detract from the experience. The graphics fall far short of pre-release trailers and screenshots, with bland textures, poor lighting, and a lack of detail in environments. Character animations are stiff and awkward, and the voice acting often feels over-the-top and poorly delivered. The demanding system requirements for such subpar graphics are particularly disappointing. While the soundtrack is passable, it does little to elevate the overall presentation.

alt text showing a character portrait in Bound By Flame

A Flickering Flame: Conclusion

Bound By Flame presents an intriguing story and interesting RPG mechanics, but its execution is ultimately hampered by technical shortcomings and frustrating gameplay elements. While the game has its moments, the flaws outweigh the positives, leaving a sense of unfulfilled potential.