New medieval sim Bladesong turns Skyrim’s most useful mechanic into a full game

If you want the best weapons and armor in Skyrim, you’ve got to put the work in. To even get anywhere close to crafting Daedric and Dragonbone equipment you need to cut your teeth on as many swords and helms as possible. Or, you can do as we all did back in the day and craft thousands of iron daggers instead. However you choose to get the best equipment, there’s no denying that it’s an essential part of truly becoming Dragonborn. If you found Skyrim’s weapon crafting system lacking, though, Bladesong is the game for you. This medieval swordsmithing sim is packed with intricate details, and you can try it right now.

Bladesong transports you to the city of Eren Keep. You won’t be out in the dark fantasy city streets, however, as you’ll be holed up in your workshop making blades. Every customer who walks through the door has different physical and stylistic requirements for their weapon, and it’s up to you to meet them. That means every single detail is important in the simulation game, from the color of the hilt and the angle of the sword, to the mystic runes that adorn the blade’s face.

You’ll also meet plenty of companions and adversaries throughout Bladesong, each coming to you looking for a weapon that might decide Eren Keep’s future. You’re not getting into scrapes like Geralt, but you are giving those like him their swords.

You’ll need to uncover magical secrets to make the best swords in the city, but to do so you’ll need to extend your forge. That, in turn, means you need to make the blades entice customers to keep coming back, otherwise you won’t have the money to expand.

The new playtest features the campaign and the first story location, but I’m most intrigued by creative mode. With new features and sword parts, I want to embrace my love for Ghost Recon Future Soldier’s Gunsmith mechanic, and take all that creativity into sword crafting. You can change materials, engravings, width, polish, and countless other details, and come out the other side with the sword of your dreams.

Sun and Serpent Creations is launching Bladesong in 2025, but there’s a playtest running from now until Friday December 13. The demo is on the Steam page right here, you just need to request access.

While you wait for the Bladesong launch we’ve also got all the best medieval games and crafting games, if you want to get into the smithing spirit.

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