Blades of Time

{{Short description|2012 video game}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2025}} {{Infobox video game | image = Blades of Time Cover Art.png |developer = [[Gaijin Entertainment]] |publisher = [[Konami]] Gaijin Entertainment (PC) [[Iceberg Interactive]] (PC & OS X, EU) |producer = Takayuki Fujii |designer = |composer = |engine = |platforms = [[PlayStation 3]], [[Xbox 360]], [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], [[macOS|Mac OS X]], [[Nintendo Switch]] |released = '''PlayStation 3''', '''Xbox 360'''{{vgrelease|NA|March 6, 2012|JP|March 8, 2012|AUS|March 8, 2012|EU|March 16, 2012<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.siliconera.com/2012/02/21/ayumi-picks-up-a-british-accent-for-blades-of-time/ |title=Ayumi Picks Up A British Accent For Blades of Time |author=Ishaan |date=February 21, 2012 |website=[[Siliconera]] |publisher=[[Curse, Inc.]] |access-date=February 21, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120224042944/http://www.siliconera.com/2012/02/21/ayumi-picks-up-a-british-accent-for-blades-of-time/ |archive-date=February 24, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>}}'''Microsoft Windows''', '''OS X'''{{vgrelease|NA|April 20, 2012|EU|May 18, 2012 (PC)|EU|May 25, 2012 (OS X)}}'''Nintendo Switch'''{{vgrelease|WW|May 14, 2019<ref>{{cite web |url=https://gematsu.com/2019/05/blades-of-time-remaster-coming-to-switch-on-may-14 |title=SWITCH Blades of Time remaster coming to Switch on May 14 |author=Sal Romano |date=May 2, 2019 |website=Gematsu |access-date=May 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502223417/https://gematsu.com/2019/05/blades-of-time-remaster-coming-to-switch-on-may-14 |archive-date=May 2, 2019 |url-status=live }},</ref>}} |genre = [[Action-adventure game|Action-adventure]], [[hack and slash]] |modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]], [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]] }}

{{Nihongo|'''''Blades of Time'''''|ブレイズオブタイム|Bureizu obu Taimu}} is a 2012 [[hack and slash]] video game developed by [[Gaijin Entertainment]] and published by [[Konami]] and [[Iceberg Interactive]] for [[Microsoft Windows]], [[PlayStation 3]], [[Xbox 360]] and [[macOS|Mac OS X]].<ref name="siliconera06092011">{{cite web |url=http://www.siliconera.com/2011/06/09/konamis-blades-of-time-has-neat-time-rewind-feature-to-clone-yourself/ |title=Konami's Blades of Time Has Neat "Time Rewind" Feature To Clone Yourself |author=Ishaan |date=June 9, 2011 |website=Siliconera |publisher=Curse, Inc. |access-date=August 5, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811053941/http://www.siliconera.com/2011/06/09/konamis-blades-of-time-has-neat-time-rewind-feature-to-clone-yourself/ |archive-date=August 11, 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> It is a [[Reboot (fiction)|reboot]]/[[sequel]] to Gaijin Entertainment's 2007 game ''[[X-Blades]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamesabyss.com/blades-of-chaos-seeks-to-keep-the-good-of-x-blades-thong-and-do-away-with-the-bad-everything-else/ |title=Blades of Time Seeks to Keep the Good of X-Blades (Thong) and Do Away With the Bad (Everything Else) |author=Belin, Justin |date=August 26, 2011 |website=Games Abyss |publisher=2farmedia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111107034333/http://www.gamesabyss.com/blades-of-chaos-seeks-to-keep-the-good-of-x-blades-thong-and-do-away-with-the-bad-everything-else/ |archive-date=November 7, 2011 |url-status=dead |access-date=May 8, 2018}}</ref> In the English version, the lead character is voiced by [[Miranda Raison]].

''Blades of Time'' was released in North America on March 6, 2012, in Japan and Australia on March 8, 2012, and in Europe on March 16, 2012. Versions for Windows and OS X were released on April 20, 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/208670/Blades_of_Time/ |title=Blades of Time |website=[[Steam (service)|Steam]] |publisher=[[Valve Corporation|Valve]] |access-date=May 8, 2018}}</ref> A [[Nintendo Switch]] version was released in Europe and North America on May 14, 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gonintendo.com/stories/335295-classic-hack-n-slash-blades-of-time-launches-on-switch|title=Classic Hack 'n' Slash Blades of Time Launches on Switch|last=Comments: 1|first=rawmeatcowboy {{!}}|website=GoNintendo|date=May 14, 2019 |language=en-US|access-date=May 16, 2019}}</ref>

==Gameplay== ''Blades of Time'' features an ability called "Time Rewind", which lets the player turn back time and produces a clone that replicates the last actions the protagonist Ayumi made<ref name="siliconera06092011"/> and is vital in solving puzzles and fighting hordes of enemies. The game also features a "Dash" ability which can instantly close the distance between Ayumi and her enemies, as well as travel quickly using environmental features. As the game progresses, Ayumi can unlock more than 40 sets of skills, including attacks and combos, as well as the powerful Order and Chaos forms of magic. The game also offers both a [[Cooperative video game|co-op]] campaign and [[Player versus player|PvP]] features.

==Plot== A dual sword-wielding treasure hunter named {{Nihongo|Ayumi|アユミ|Ayumi}} finds herself stuck on a mysterious and dangerous island. While rich with bounty, the island is also caught in the throes of Chaos magic. Ayumi soon discovers that it is also the home of thousands of long-held secrets, including special powers and abilities that she can gain for herself. Using everything she can, she must find a way to defeat armies of menacing villains and a multitude of treacherous traps in order to break free of the possessed island's grasp.

==Reception== {{Video game reviews | align = | PC = true | PS3 = true | X360 = true | NS = true | na = true | Destruct_X360 = 6/10<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.destructoid.com/review-blades-of-time-224347.phtml |title=Review: Blades of Time (X360) |author=Sterling, Jim |date=March 22, 2012 |website=[[Destructoid]] |publisher=Enthusiast Gaming |access-date=May 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190505121930/https://www.destructoid.com/review-blades-of-time-224347.phtml |archive-date=May 5, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> | EGM_X360 = 6.5/10<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.egmnow.com/articles/reviews/egm-review-blades-of-time/ |title=EGM Review: Blades of Time (X360) |author=Carsillo, Ray |date=March 22, 2012 |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly|EGMNow]] |publisher=EGM Media, LLC |access-date=May 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509151303/http://www.egmnow.com/articles/reviews/egm-review-blades-of-time/ |archive-date=May 9, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> | EuroG_X360 = 5/10<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-03-16-blades-of-time-review |title=Blades of Time Review (Xbox 360) |author=Donlan, Christian |date=March 16, 2012 |website=[[Eurogamer]] |publisher=Gamer Network |access-date=May 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509080158/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-03-16-blades-of-time-review |archive-date=May 9, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> | Fam_PS3 = 32/40<ref name="fam">{{cite web |url=https://gematsu.com/2012/02/famitsu-review-scores-issue-1213 |title=Famitsu Review Scores: Issue 1213 |author=Romano, Sal |date=February 28, 2012 |website=Gematsu |access-date=May 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180502064452/https://gematsu.com/2012/02/famitsu-review-scores-issue-1213 |archive-date=May 2, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> | Fam_X360 = 32/40<ref name="fam"/> | GI_PS3 = 4.5/10<ref name="gi">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/games/blades_of_time/b/ps3/archive/2012/03/21/blades-of-time-review-a-trip-to-dullsville-with-the-worst-possible-guide.aspx |title=Blades of Time (PS3, X360) |author=Cork, Jeff |date=March 21, 2012 |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |publisher=[[GameStop]] |access-date=May 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509015141/http://www.gameinformer.com/games/blades_of_time/b/ps3/archive/2012/03/21/blades-of-time-review-a-trip-to-dullsville-with-the-worst-possible-guide.aspx |archive-date=May 9, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> | GI_X360 = 4.5/10<ref name="gi"/> | GameRev_X360 = {{Rating|2.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/54935-blades-of-time-review |title=Blades of Time Review (X360) |author=Kuulei N. |date=March 28, 2012 |website=[[Game Revolution]] |publisher=[[CraveOnline]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140917015404/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/blades-of-time |archive-date=September 17, 2014 |url-status=live |access-date=May 9, 2018}}</ref> | GSpot_PS3 = 6/10<ref name="gspot">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/blades-of-time-review/1900-6366684/ |title=Blades of Time Review (PS3, X360) |author=GameSpot staff |date=March 16, 2012 |website=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=May 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509013339/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/blades-of-time-review/1900-6366684/ |archive-date=May 9, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> | GSpot_X360 = 6/10<ref name="gspot"/> | GT_X360 = 4.9/10<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8fwBTK9ge4 |title=Blades of Time - Review |author=GameTrailers |date=March 28, 2012 |website=[[YouTube]] |publisher=[[Alphabet Inc.]] |access-date=May 8, 2018}}</ref> | GameZone_PS3 = 3.5/10<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamezone.com/reviews/blades-of-time-review/ |title=Blades of Time review (PS3) |author=Workman, Robert |date=March 29, 2012 |website=GameZone |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120418065717/http://www.gamezone.com/products/blades-of-time/reviews/blades-of-time-review |archive-date=April 18, 2012 |url-status=live |access-date=May 9, 2018}}</ref> | OXM_X360 = 6/10<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.oxmonline.com/blades-time-review |title=Blades of Time review |author=Osborn, Chuck |date=March 29, 2012 |magazine=[[Official Xbox Magazine]] |publisher=[[Future US]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120330235429/http://www.oxmonline.com/blades-time-review |archive-date=March 30, 2012 |url-status=dead |access-date=May 8, 2018}}</ref> | PSM_PS3 = 6/10<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Review: Blades of Time |magazine=[[PlayStation: The Official Magazine]] |publisher=Future plc |issue=58 |date=May 2012 |page=85}}</ref> | rev1 = ''The Digital Fix'' | rev1_PS3 = 4/10<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thedigitalfix.com/gaming/content/777/blades-of-time/ |title=Blades of Time Review (PS3) |author=Howard, Luciano |date=March 26, 2012 |website=The Digital Fix |publisher=Poisonous Monkey |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120714170403/http://gaming.thedigitalfix.com/content/id/777/blades-of-time.html |archive-date=July 14, 2012 |url-status=live |access-date=May 9, 2018}}</ref> | MC_NS = 38/100<ref name="mcns">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/blades-of-time/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch |title=Blades of Time for Switch Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[Red Ventures]] |access-date=December 19, 2020}}</ref> | MC_PC = 63/100<ref name="mcpc">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/blades-of-time/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Blades of Time for PC Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[Red Ventures]] |access-date=May 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180428085743/http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/blades-of-time |archive-date=April 28, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> | MC_PS3 = 53/100<ref name="mcps3">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/blades-of-time/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-3 |title=Blades of Time for PlayStation 3 Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[Red Ventures]] |access-date=May 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180421045133/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-3/blades-of-time |archive-date=April 21, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> | MC_X360 = 52/100<ref name="mcx360">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/blades-of-time/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360 |title=Blades of Time for Xbox 360 Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[Red Ventures]] |access-date=May 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180523082305/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/blades-of-time |archive-date=May 23, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> }}

The game received "mixed" reviews on Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, but received "generally unfavorable" reviews on the Nintendo Switch, according to the [[Review aggregator|review aggregation]] website [[Metacritic]].<ref name="mcpc"/><ref name="mcps3"/><ref name="mcx360"/><ref name="mcns"/> In Japan, ''[[Famitsu]]'' gave the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions a score of all four eights for a total of 32 out of 40.<ref name="fam"/> ''Blades of Time'' for Nintendo Switch took third place in the list of 15 Worst Reviewed Games of 2019 according to [[IGN]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Adler |first=Matthew |date=December 4, 2019 |title=The 15 Worst Reviewed Games of 2019 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/12/04/the-15-worst-reviewed-games-of-2019 |access-date=August 3, 2022 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * {{official website|http://www.bladesoftime.com}} * {{moby game|id=/blades-of-time}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Blades of Time}} [[Category:2012 video games]] [[Category:Action-adventure games]] [[Category:Fantasy video games]] [[Category:Gaijin Entertainment games]] [[Category:Hack and slash games]] [[Category:Iceberg Interactive games]] [[Category:Konami games]] [[Category:MacOS games]] [[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]] [[Category:Nintendo Switch games]] [[Category:PlayStation 3 games]] [[Category:Video game reboots]] [[Category:Sequel video games]] [[Category:Video games about time travel]] [[Category:Video games developed in Russia]] [[Category:Video games featuring female protagonists]] [[Category:Windows games]] [[Category:Xbox 360 games]]