Blightlands Blacksmith is a medieval fantasy blacksmithing simulator with exploration and combat elements. Mine, smelt, forge, assemble, grind, and rune-craft weapons to supply a legion cohort, and defend yourself as you delve into the mine for new materials. The cohort's success depends on you.
The game's blacksmithing process immerses players in the experience of crafting weapons "with your own two hands." From mining ore to smelting, forging, assembling, grinding, and rune-crafting, every step significantly impacts the final product's appearance, quality, damage, and value. This creates a deeply rewarding gameplay loop, as players strive to perfect their creations.
Players can choose from 8 weapon classes and thousands of possible variations in shape, materials, alloys, and rune effects. This level of customization allows users to experiment and design uniquely powerful or visually striking armaments. The ability to craft both lightweight scouting weapons and heavy-duty battle gear enables players to tailor their arsenal to the cohort's specific needs.
The game seamlessly integrates blacksmithing with exploration and combat. Players must venture into the abandoned mine, facing enemies along the way, to gather the necessary materials. The weapons they forge can then be used to aid the cohort's progress, either by supplying scouts with lighter weapons or equipping the legion with heavier armaments. This creates a satisfying loop of gathering resources, crafting gear, and seeing the results in the cohort's success.
As players progress, they unlock new materials, alloys, and rune effects to incorporate into their weaponry. Selling creations to adventurers or supplying the legion's war effort provides a sense of meaningful progression, with the cohort's success directly tied to the quality of the player's craftsmanship. Managing the various demands and needs of the cohort, adventurers, and the war effort adds an engaging layer of strategy to the gameplay.
Reviewers praise the game's developer, Skald Software, for their responsiveness to feedback, quick turnaround on bug fixes, and frequent updates. This level of post-launch support has fostered a sense of optimism and excitement among players for the game's future growth and refinement.