Unchained Blades (2011)
Description
Classic Dungeon-Crawling and Turn-Based Combat
Unchained Blades offers an extensive dungeon-crawling experience where players navigate grid-based labyrinths from a first-person perspective. The game features over 180 distinct types of monsters, engaging players in strategic, turn-based battles that span more than 50 hours of gameplay. Each encounter demands tactical decision-making, making the combat system both challenging and rewarding for enthusiasts of traditional role-playing games.
Immersive Story with Voice Acting
The narrative centers on a dramatic story of vengeance, focusing on an arrogant dragon seeking retribution against a goddess who has stolen his powers. This tale is enriched with fully implemented English voice-overs, enhancing character interactions and bringing depth to the storyline. Players experience the unfolding drama through carefully crafted dialogues and cinematic moments, ensuring the story remains a central element of the gameplay experience.
Four-Character Battle Party and Customization
Players assemble a party of four unique characters, each with customizable abilities and skill paths. Through the allocation of growth points on individual Skill Maps, players can tailor their characters' abilities to suit specific strategies and combat preferences. This system provides a high level of control over character development and allows for varied play styles depending on the chosen skills and growth paths.
Artistic Collaboration
Unchained Blades features character designs contributed by 14 renowned artists, creating a striking diversity of visual styles within the same game. This compilation of artistic talent results in a unique aesthetic experience, combining multiple creative visions while maintaining cohesion across characters and environments. Players encounter a vivid contrast in design that enhances the visual appeal and enriches the overall RPG atmosphere.
Experienced Development Team and Soundtrack
The game is developed by a team of veteran creators from classic role-playing titles. Its musical score is arranged by Tsutomu Narita, an emerging composer associated with the studio of Nobuo Uematsu, the legendary RPG composer. Additionally, the iconic Uematsu himself contributes the main theme song, providing a blend of seasoned expertise and fresh musical talent to elevate the in-game auditory experience.
Licensing and Online Terms
The software operates under the license agreements provided at us.playstation.com/softwarelicense. Online features are governed by the Terms of Service and User Agreement available at www.playstationnetwork.com/terms-of-service. All intellectual property is © FURYU CORPORATION 2011, 2012, and the game is officially licensed and published by XSEED Games.
Our Verdict
Unchained Blades is a solid choice for fans of classic dungeon-crawling RPGs. The first-person, grid-based exploration paired with turn-based battles offers over 50 hours of gameplay, keeping players engaged with a variety of monsters and strategic combat.
The story is clear and entertaining, brought to life with full English voice-overs. Customizing a four-person battle party through skill maps adds depth, letting players shape their team exactly how they want.
With unique character art from 14 artists and a soundtrack featuring contributions from experienced creators, the game is visually and audibly appealing. If you enjoy old-school RPGs with modern touches, we recommend giving Unchained Blades a try.