Summary
Die by the Bladeis a Kickstarter indie game success story that is set to fully release next month, and it occupies a unique fighting game niche that hasn’t been popular in years. In a genre that is based around pulling off impressive, lengthy combos and knowing the outlandish movesets of huge character rosters, some titles have instead taken a stripped back approach to great success. Existing as an experimental take on this type of combat system while also being a 3D fighter,Die by the Bladehas the potential to compete with major releases through its originality and recently showcased polish.
Different fighting game IPs tend to lean heavily into systems that define their distinct identities, but the one-hit kill subgenre has hardly seen any representation since the 1990s.Die by the Blade’s “samurai-punk” worldhas been built around this dueling type of combat, conveying a striking level of violence while maintaining a stylish aesthetic. It can be challenging to create an experience that is so hardcore without it feeling as though it is overly unforgiving or frustrating, but developer Grindstone has displayed an emphasis on ensuring thatDie by the Bladeintegrates some of the genre’s most satisfying elements into its formula.
The Historically Niche Status of One-Hit Kill and Samurai Fighting Games
The Samurai Trend of 90s Fighters
During a time when Capcom and SNK could be considered genuine rivals of the arcade gaming scene,Samurai Shodownwas a series that was both well-received and innovative at the time. It brought its highly committal style of fighting game to the forefront, largely by ignoring the popularity of combo systems that emerged withStreet Fighter 2’s updates. When 3D fighting games rose to prominence later in the decade, theunforgiving PS1 titleBushido Bladefilled a similar niche by allowing players to permanently injure each other and proceed with a match. These games didn’t feature every single move as lethal hits, but their risky gameplay caused them to largely be surpassed in relevancy by more mainstream franchises overall.
Modern Interpretations of One-Hit Kill Games
A 2019 reboot breathed new life intoSamurai Shodown, but games in its style have been few and far between for the past two decades. Stripped back takes on fighters likeNidhogghave accomplished a similar feeling, but thesimplistic parody game Divekickis presented as a joke by reducing its fights to just jumping and its titular attack.Die by the Bladeseems more inspired by the likes ofSekiro: Shadows Die Twicewith its stance-based mechanics, however, revealing the true potential depth of this style.
How Die by the Blade Can Continue the Legacy of Samurai Fighters
Finding a Balance Between Retro Inspiration and Modern Fighters
With over three years of development under its belt following its Kickstarter campaign’s completion in 2020,Die by the Bladecould deliver an experience that feels above its indie status. With several distinct characters and weapon types alongside customization systems for both of them, the game’s variety is unlikely to be stunted by the typically short length of its rounds. When it comes to the unfairness that can arise from such a brutal combat system, studio director Peter Adamondy explained his stance on game balance in a 2021 interview withPC Invasion:
“The concept of hit advantage/disadvantage is borrowed from “standard” fighting games and was not part of the originalBushido Bladegames for example. It gives us a lot more head room for balancing and combat variation. We also really wanted to avoid unblockables. This is something I hate in fighting games. So, there is no attack that can’t be blocked or parried.”
Grittier Representation for 3D Fighting Games
Recent controversies surroundingTekken 8’s post-launch monetization have some players concerned about the series' status as a practically uncontested monolith of 3D fighters, but Grindstone may show that the genre still has room for experimentation. While there might not be a newVirtua Fighterin sight,Die by the Blade’s one-hit kill gameplayhas a chance to deliver a contemporary feeling of competitive viability in 3D titles.
Die By the Blade
WHERE TO PLAY
Die by the Blade is a 1v1 weapons-focused fighter where the difference between victory and death lies in a single strike of the blade. Choose your weapon and character combination freely to define your moveset, then do battle in neon-soaked back alleys and ancient forests. Take up arms and crush your friends in local or online multiplayer, or test your skills against unknown warriors in online ranked matches.One-Hit Kills: Die by the Blade is a game with no health bars — every strike can mean death.Victory in these tense, all-or-nothing matches will depend on your ability to read your opponent, parry and avoid their attacks, and exploit their mistakes at a moment’s notice. There is no room for error.Choose Your Weapon: A true warrior is defined by their mastery of the blade.Your moveset is determined by your weapon rather than your choice of character. Will you sacrifice your speed for the powerful two-handed nodachi? Or will you overwhelm your enemy with a flurry of strikes from the nimble katana?Choose your favourite from among a range of diverse characters, or mould them into your ideal warrior through in-depth character and weapon customization features. Each character also features minor stat changes to suit certain playstyles.
