Chinese Roguelite Forge & Fight Launches on PC with Unique Time Axis Combat
Chinese indie developer HaNWA Games has launched their debut title, Forge & Fight: Blacksmith Legend (《装备之路：铁匠传奇》), into Early Access on PC platforms on April 30. Developed by the four-person team known as Hanwa Games over two and a half years, this pixel-art Roguelite strategy game puts players in the role of an adventurer who must forge their own weapons, explore fog-of-war maps, and insert weapons into a unique Ouroboros Time Axis system to predict and outplay enemy encounters. The game blends crafting, tactical combat, and hex-grid exploration into a single package.
Unlike traditional Roguelites where players find or loot weapons, Forge & Fight: Blacksmith Legend centers on crafting. Materials gathered from exploration and combat are brought back to the forge to create new weapons. Players can choose from molds such as daggers, two-handed swords, boomerangs, spears, and shurikens. Different materials affect weapon damage, durability, affixes, and combat roles. According to the developers, the core loop requires players to collect materials on their journey, select the right mold, and then synergize materials with weapon affixes and characteristics to create effective loadouts.
The game’s signature combat mechanic is the Ouroboros Time Axis, which displays enemy actions per second, allowing players to see what will happen in the next 20 seconds. This foresight enables players to interrupt incoming lethal skills by planning weapon placements and triggering affix reactions. The system also requires consideration of weapon durability management. Different weapon weights and types affect swing timing, and players who calculate their timing precisely can interrupt enemy actions or trigger unexpected chain reactions. The combat system effectively turns each battle into a dynamic puzzle where timing and positioning matter.
Beyond combat and crafting, Forge & Fight: Blacksmith Legend features hex-grid exploration with fog of war. Players must decide within limited steps whether to scout, gather resources, or engage enemies directly. Special events along the way offer rewards or humorous encounters that lighten the pace. A cooking mechanic lets players prepare meals before each adventure to affect starting stats. The developers have indicated that the Early Access phase is expected to last approximately one year, during which they will collect feedback to adjust balance, add content, and optimize the experience. The fact that a four-person team spent two and a half years building this from scratch makes its launch a noteworthy achievement for fans of thoughtful, crafting-driven strategy games.
