Stray Blade

The main pros of the game

• Dynamic Combat System: Players appreciate the engaging and responsive combat mechanics, which include dodges, parries, and a variety of weaponry.
• World Design: The vibrant and detailed environment of Acrea encourages exploration and discovery, making the world visually appealing.
• Compelling Character Dynamics: The relationship between the main character, Farren, and the companion, Boji, adds emotional depth to the narrative, with some players finding their interactions enjoyable.
• Exploration: Many reviews highlight the rewarding exploration aspect, with hidden secrets and diverse biomes.
• Voice Acting: The quality of voice acting received positive mentions, contributing to the overall experience.

The main cons of the game

• Technical Issues: Numerous reviews mention bugs and glitches, including problems with cutscenes, hitboxes, and AI behavior, which detract from the gameplay experience.
• Repetitive Combat: Players find the variety of enemies lacking, leading to repetitive encounters and a lack of challenge, particularly in boss fights.
• Level Design and Navigation: The complexity of the level design makes navigation difficult, and the in-game map is considered unhelpful, leading to confusion.
• Character Annoyance: The main character's personality and dialogue are frequently criticized as annoying or insufferable, diminishing the storytelling experience.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

• Build Crafting: Users expressed a desire for a more robust crafting system that allows for character customization and unique builds, rather than a linear progression.
• Difficulty Balancing: Many players feel the game does not adequately challenge experienced players, especially in terms of combat and boss difficulty.
• Improved Optimization: Users noted performance issues, including stuttering and frame drops, indicating a need for better optimization and polish.
• Better Map Design: A more intuitive and functional map system was suggested to aid navigation in the complex game world.

Conclusion

Summary

• Overall, "Stray Blade" presents an engaging exploration and combat experience within a visually appealing world, but it suffers from technical issues, repetitive gameplay, and character flaws. While it has redeeming qualities, many players recommend purchasing it on sale, emphasizing the need for improvements and polish.

Summary generated on: October 30, 2025