The game starts with you in what might be a fever dream. And then, sort of like in Disco Elysium, you answer questions, in the case of Bladesong from what might be an old woman but probably isn't, that create your background.

During this, you find out that, well, mankind is on the brink of ending because of something called the Sundering, and that there are some things that are called the Voices, which I think might be sort of the gods?

As you choose your background, some give you certain bonuses and allows for specific conversation-choices, in the way RPGs often do.
Other choices will steer you towards a story-based game, or a more creative style.

When all of your choices are done, you awaken in a refuge camp, recovering from a fever. This camp is outside Eren Keep, the last bastion of hope in a world that is, the "old woman" claimed, dying. Outside your tent is a crude forge and anvil.

Eren Keep is protected by a magical shield, inside of which everything is normal, or as normal as a magical, medieval world is, particularly one with...problems. Your goal, at least initially, is to find some way to get inside the keep, and then set up shop.

To do this, you need money, influence, etc, and the way to get it is to make swords. Swords get you money, more material, and XP. when you get enough XP, you will level up, and gain further sword-making skills. You can also find books that will improve things.

You have only a certain number of actions per day, so at least initially, you can make 2, maybe 3 swords, and then maybe have enough time to break down some of the materials you have found or gotten as payment, so that you can make more swords tomorrow.

the swords you make have certain criteria you have to fullfill. This person wants a short, fast, pointy sword for self-defense. That one wants a large two-hander with a lot of "impact". Each day brings a group of new potential customers, and you not only listen to their story, but have to chose which ones you want to take on, balancing time, material, etc.

The RPG part comes with your interactions with others, and your exploration of, to start with, the refugee camp. You'll run into people who want to rob you, people who want to get into the keep like you, customers with their own stories, traders, sick people, hungry families, the guards that work to keep "riff-raff" like you out, and several others.

This all makes me really keen on the game, and I can't wait....but even beyond that, there's the "creative" mode. Here, you can make your own sword. Anything you can think up and make the controls accept, you can make. Pull, push, drag the steel, etc, into whatever you want to make, and then get a link to share it with others. The demo is fun but a bit short, but the creative mode has made me play for 20 hours making various blades, and that's just with the limited amount of stuff you get.

The game has no set release date, as of yet, but they're saying "before end of 2025". If so, they'll have to get a bit of a move on, and I am somewhat doubtful, but the devs are active on the Steam discussion forum, so that's a clear mark in their favor.

...!
Stoke Mandeville, Esq & The
Victorian Ballsmiths
"Nobody Want Verdigris-
Covered Balls!"