As a Southeast Asian, I’m always drawn to games that remind me of my home region. That’s why I make it a point to play and write about games from regional developers, likeCoffee Talk,Cuisineer, andA Space For The Unbound– there’s a burgeoning indie dev scene here that doesn’t get enough attention.
I’d never heard ofBlades of Miragebefore going toTokyo Game Show, but there was a distinct Southeast Asian flavour that immediately drew me to the isometric action RPG. While its Steam page says it’s Southeast Asian-inspired, I could immediately pinpoint the hyperspecific look of Bali in the demo I played – the architecture and greenery is instantly recognisable if you’ve ever been to the island.
While Bali is largely known as a tourist trap and expat haven nowadays, it has a distinct culture and architectural style that separates it from the rest of Indonesia. A mix of native Javanese style and Hindu influences, the Bali style of design and use of natural materials is iconic in Asia and across the world more widely. One of my favourite memories of my visits to the island was seeing the Neka Art Museum, which renovated old Balinese buildings to house stunning collections from Balinese artists while showcasing depictions of the island through time.
That’s why I say it’s impossible to look at Blades of Mirage and not see how lovingly and creatively it’s interpreted Bali – the island’s distinctive style is everywhere, from the gorgeous gates, pagodas and statues, to the rough stone tiles that make up the floors you run across and waterfalls gushing water down into the sea. It feels less like Seminyak (god, I hate Seminyak) and more like Ubud, full of ancient holy sites and gorgeous natural landscapes.
But of course, there’s more to Blades of Mirage than its setting. You play as Mira, who can manipulate water to create weapons. Over the course of my demo, I used three weapons: a sword, a big hammer, and a bow. Obviously, each of these weapons played very differently, being useful against a variety of enemies by exploiting various weaknesses. All of this is pretty typical for an ARPG.
Note: A lot of strategy stuff wasn’t readily apparent while I was playing, but the developer told me this is a very early build. I eventually managed to start figuring tactics out on my own, regardless.
What’s more interesting is how its narrative influences impacted gameplay. While I didn’t get a huge sense of the story and its mythology, the developer told me that Blades of Mirage has a linear narrative inspired by the myth of Theseus and the Legend of Korra. Interestingly, in the small slice of the game I played, I already saw some of that being implemented in the gameplay – at one point, I entered a labyrinth and my view was restricted to a small circle in the middle of the screen. There was no minotaur at the centre, but the inspiration was clear.
Blades of Mirage is still early in development and doesn’t have a release date, but you can wishlist it on Steamhere.
Blades of Mirage
WHERE TO PLAY
Key FeaturesMaster the WaterAs Mira, you wield the power to manipulate water into deadly weapons. Switch between various forms, melee or range, and experiment with different combos and strategies to overcome the diverse enemies that stand in your way.Explore Beautiful Landscapes and Seek Ancient KnowledgeExplore ancient ruins in diverse islands with unique characteristics, from lush islands to arid savannas. Each island holds ancient relics with historical value and the tribe’s secrets.Fight Powerful LegendsPowerful mythical creatures inhabit each ruin, safeguarding the relics. Utilize your strongest strategies to defeat these guardians and secure the treasures.
