Blades & Battles PS5 Review - Golden Axe Nostalgia with Sharp Modern Flair

Blades & Battles, developed and published by Brazilian studio QUByte Interactive, is a side-scrolling fantasy beat ’em up arriving on September 29, 2026. It is a modern take on 1990s arcade classics like Golden Axe, set in a loose, pulp-flavored version of Arthurian legend during King Arthur’s younger days.

The game centers on two playable characters. One being the young Arthur, who favors heavy, powerful sword swings and aerial launches that excel at juggling enemies, and the other Lancelot, who emphasizes quicker dashes, multi-hit combos, and elemental magic (fire, lightning, and wave-style attacks).

The plot is simple and deliberately lighthearted. Arthur and Lancelot learn that Merlin has been kidnapped by the witch Morgana le Fay, prompting them to cut through invading demons, skeletons, trolls, ogres, and other monsters across stages that include forests (with nods to Sherwood), frozen peaks, valleys, and strongholds. The story embraces absurd, fun bosses, such as the thieving duo Robin & Hood or various named Arthurian-inspired foes, and serves mainly as an excuse for constant action rather than deep narrative.

The Gameplay ...

Core features in Blades & Battles include local (couch) two-player co-op for the full campaign, classic beat-’em-up progression through branching stages with optional paths packed with enemy waves and colossal bosses, and special attacks or “magic” powered by collectible potions or meters. Combat focuses on responsive basic and limited strong attacks that chain into combos, aerial juggles, wall bounces, dodges, and desperation moves that can clear groups or extend strings. 

There is no traditional character progression, skill trees, or weapon upgrades. The moveset available early is essentially what you use throughout, so the emphasis stays on mastering timing, positioning in the 2.5D plane, and combo creativity. The ability to dodge, jump as well as perform special attacks, super specials, and desperation moves adds to this combo capability. At the end of each stage end results are tallied, taking in consideration the time, score, lives lost, and highest combo giving a ranking up to "S" for efforts rendered.

For extras Blades & Battles features in-game achievements tied to challenges such as a no food item run, or the defeat of specific bosses, among other things. These achievements coincide with PlayStation Trophies that you can earn. The main menu also has a Jukebox for listening to the game's various music tracks that range from instrumental to orchestral in a darker tone fitting of the game's lore.

The Presentation ...

Presentation uses stylized 3D models with optional pixelated or “super pixelated” filters that aim for a retro-modern hybrid look. Environments look vibrant and detailed on a large TV (forests, bone fortresses, icy areas), though the dense pixel filter can feel muddy on smaller screens. The soundtrack leans into dark-synth fantasy tones that fit the sword-and-sorcery action well. Overall production is polished for an indie title of this scale, with cinematic interactive moments and a clear love for arcade presentation.

The Verdict ...

Playability is high for fans of the genre. The core loop of clearing screens with stylish swordplay and magic is addictive and easy to pick up, especially in co-op. Replay value is moderate. You can tackle the campaign with each character, chase high combos or challenge runs, and enjoy local multiplayer, but the short length (roughly eight stages), lack of progression systems, and limited modes mean it won’t hold attention for dozens of hours alone. Price value looks strong, regardless. As a budget indie it delivers solid arcade-style fun without demanding a full-price commitment.

Considering it all I feel the Blades & Battles experience is best suited for fans of classic beat ’em ups (Golden Axe, Knights of the Round, Rastan), players who enjoy local co-op sword-and-sorcery brawlers, and anyone seeking a short, nostalgic, no-frills action experience on PS5. If you want deep RPG systems, long campaigns, or online multiplayer, look elsewhere. This is pure, chaotic arcade nostalgia done with modern fluidity.