Have Game, Will Play: Bound By Flame

There are not many action RPGs out for the PS4 so Bound By Flame has little competition on Sony’s newest console. You play a created character who is a part of a band of mercenaries who hack and slash for cash. What makes Bound By Flame interesting is that soon after you begin the game you are possessed by a demon. This demon can talk to you and through you, much to the confusion and dismay of those nearby. How much or little advice you take from this demon has a direct effect on how the tale of you versus the deadwalkers,  main antagonists,  plays out.

Bound By Flame is an action game with a lot of customization. Combat uses three different skill trees: warrior, ranger and pyromancer. The warrior carries larger weapons like swords, uses brute strength and a parry to defeat enemies. Knives and daggers are the rangers weapons of choice. Rangers can also use a dodge to counter attacks and go into stealth mode. Lastly the pyromancer is skilled at using fire offensively, defensively and using it with weapons for stronger attacks.

The ability to earn skill points and level up any of the skill trees is great. Switching between the classes is quick and easy. You can use the ranger’s stealth to sneak up on an enemy for a damaging first hit and immediately cast fire onto your sword or dagger and slash away. That’s not to say that there is no challenge. There are enemies that will frustrate you to no end. Combat is very enjoyable but its fluidity depends largely on the enemy you’re fighting. Weapons, armor and abilities can all be augmented in addition to feats. Feats are abilities that don’t necessarily have to be triggered with a button press but can have a great impact on how well you fare against the deadwalkers.

Your dialogue and choices are what really make the difference in Bound By Flame. Say the wrong thing to an ally and they can become an enemy. You will have companions in  your quest and you can directly influence what the do in combat, albeit without controlling them yourself. Want your ally to stay away from the enemies and heal you? It can be done. Want your ally to dive in head first? The choice is yours. Other NPCs can and will see you struggle to maintain your control over your body as your new guest makes it clear what their goal is.

Bound By Flame is not most polished action RPG out there and some of the dialogue seems completely out of place. However the combat in addition to the level of options and choices available to you make it worthy of your attention.

Recommendation*: Worth a buy – Not the most polished action RPG but still worthy of your attention
Full Disclosure: This game was provided to GameEnthus by the publisher.
Genre: 3rd person action RPG
Developer: Spiders
Publisher: Focus Home Interactive
Platforms: PS4, PS3, Xbox 360,PC
Price: $49.99 for PS4 version

http://www.boundbyflame.com/
http://GameEnthus.com
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/gameenthus-podcast-video-games/id286435007?mt=2

Scale:*
Worth a buy – paying full price for fans of the series or genre makes sense – often includes a caveat
Worth a buy on sale – not quite full price worthy but close, – often includes a caveat
Rent – rent before buying
No – borrow it if you must play it
Please no – Don’t waste any time and/or money on it