This mobile hack-and-slash RPG has plenty of demon-slaying, but it's no Diablo

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SHOULD I PLAY BLADE X: ODYSSEY OF HEROES?

Skip it, unless you really enjoy hack-and-slash games. Blade X: Odyssey of Heroes offers an action-packed hack-and-slash combat experience with RPG elements, like skill enhancements, gear upgrades, and character leveling. Unfortunately, it’s dragged down by repetitive gameplay, a lack of rewards, and a bunch of annoying microtransaction and ad promotions.

TIME PLAYED

I played Blade X for four hours and reached account level 25. I’ve completed three chapters and around three dozen story missions, including the prologue and tutorial. I’ve also acquired four of the six playable characters. I’m currently trying to complete the fifteenth level of the Guardian Mode, so I can unlock the fourth chapter of the story mode and continue playing.

WHAT’S AWESOME ABOUT BLADE X: ODYSSEY OF HEROES?

• Turning demons into mince meat. The biggest appeal of Blade X is slicing down monsters and beating up villains. There’s nothing like the adrenaline rush that comes with slashing hordes of rabid dogs or hairy spiders and seeing them splatter and explode across the battlefield. Overall, the combat felt really fun and smooth.

There’s also enough variety to keep things interesting. Every playable hero has a unique playstyle, and there are so many different kinds of enemies. I enjoyed discovering all the variations throughout my adventure.

WHAT SUCKS ABOUT BLADE X: ODYSSEY OF HEROES?

• It gets repetitive. At the end of the day, the only thing this game really delivers is pure, chaotic hack-and-slash gameplay. Even with all the different characters, game modes, and story missions, the core experience never really changes. I was always beating up ugly-looking demons or cutting down conniving villains. While the combat feels dynamic and fun, I can’t help but get exhausted when I’m doing the same things over and over.

• It’s not very generous. Blade X gets progressively harder over time, which isn’t unusual. The problem is that it doesn’t give out enough rewards. For most of my playthrough, I could only afford to gear and level one character, which was both disappointing and boring.

• Microtransactions and ads. There was never a moment where I had to spend money or watch an ad to get in-game resources or gear, but Blade X was still riddled with microtransactions and ad promotions. It almost convinced me to pull out my wallet or use my precious time to earn a few extra coins or items. Seeing these promotions got pretty annoying after a while, especially when they popped up after reaching a milestone.

PLATFORM TESTED

Android via Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G phone.