The Medieval Festival. Sign up for The Playtest.

Greetings!

Blades For Hire is proudly participating in The Medieval Festival.
As part of this event, we’d like to share an update on our progress.

[h2]Demo Version[/h2]
It has been some time since we launched our demo.

Thank you to everyone who shared feedback, added the game to their wishlist, or simply spent time with the demo! This insight has been invaluable — it helps us understand how we can make the game even better.

As we move towards the Playtest phase, we’d like to highlight a few key takeaways.
We are now fully focused on preparing the Playtest build, which is why the demo is no longer available. A lot has already changed in the version you’ll soon be able to experience.

[h3]Here’s a look at how the demo went — and what changes are on the way:[/h3]

• 64 hours — that’s the longest recorded playtime in the demo! We recommend turning off your PC before going to bed. :)
  
• The average completion time was 50 minutes, which aligns perfectly with our target. We were also delighted to see how many players spent far more time with it!
  
• We received plenty of feedback on the loyalty system. Some players found it unclear, so we’ll make its mechanics more transparent and expand its explanation in the tutorial.
  
• Some UI elements caused confusion — these are being reworked.
  
• Mages sparked a lot of debate — which isn’t surprising given the importance of mana and sorcery in this world. Some players struggled with equipping mages, some with mana supply, some with spellcasting. Opinions ranged from “too strong” to “useless.” We’ll let you decide who’s right — but the tutorial will now include clearer instructions.
  
• Funny soft locks — and other bugs — reported by players are being fixed. Thank you for reporting them!
  
• Combat also caused difficulties, particularly tactical usage. To help players remember to switch tactics throughout battles — combining effects and increasing their chances — we’re enhancing the tutorial. UI readability has also been improved.
  
• Not everyone reached Ben’s ending, even if they enjoyed the story. This was often because failure in the final mission felt intentional. It isn’t! The final mission is harder and requires preparation — but the ending is there.
  
• Ben’s storyline will not continue in the full release. It is a standalone narrative set in the same province and connected to the main plot — but we appreciate your interest!
  

Thank you again for your support, feedback, and enthusiasm! It reassures us we’re on the right path — and reminds us how much more we can achieve.
Please continue sharing criticism, suggestions, and spreading the word about the game!

You can leave feedback in our dedicated Steam thread, or join our publisher’s Discord community where we’re always happy to answer questions.

[h2]Playtest[/h2]
Currently, 850 players have signed up — which is awesome!
We’d love to reach at least 1,000 participants before the Playtest begins in early 2026. Everyone who signs up will gain access.

Remember — participating will earn you special in-game equipment as a reward.

We covered the Playtest in more detail in a previous announcement.
Here’s a reminder of what you need to do to claim your reward:

Reward Requirements:
- Add the game to your wishlist.
- Follow the publisher page on Steam.
- Earn the Steam achievement "Old Guard" during the Playtest.

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