Blood of Mehran comes from independent studio Permanent Way (Permanent Way Game Co.), and is published on consoles and PC by Blowfish Studios. The game was released on October 7, 2025 and is available for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC
Blood of Mehran is an action adventure that has attracted attention since its release due to its strong story and striking presentation. At the heart of the plot is Mehran, a warrior who retreated from the conflict to find peace, but his life is shattered when his wife is killed and his daughter is kidnapped. That moment becomes his driving force: he embarks on a bloody campaign to find and kill everyone connected to the tragedy that befell him. His journey is not only a personal revenge, but also a depiction of the fight against betrayal, violence and injustice in a world permeated by war and tyranny.
Mehran can use three basic types of weapons: a classic sword and shield, dual swords, and a bow and arrow. Each of them provides a different experience in battle. The shield is not only a defensive weapon, but also a tactical tool because the player can use it to block attacks, but also collect enemy arrows to always have a supply for the bow. Dual swords, although the strongest and most spectacular weapons, are unlocked only at a later stage of the game, while the bow offers the possibility of a safer and more deliberate approach. The most interesting fact is that each level can be played in a hidden way. Levels are often designed so that the player can choose between open conflict and silent elimination of enemies, which brings an extra dose of tension and variety.
The combat itself between player and opponent is extremely satisfying. The feel of the impact, the pace of the conflict and the ability to connect combinations of moves give the fight weight and dynamism. A special impression is made by the animations of eliminating opponents, which are very well executed and give the player a strong sense of power. All this creates an experience reminiscent of the best moments in action games of this type and encourages the player to try out different tactics and weapons.
Progression in the game is designed so that the player feels the constant progress and strengthening of the character. Enemies drop coins when defeated, which are used to strengthen weapons. In addition, there are also special items that can be sold to merchants to obtain additional gold, further speeding up the process. By the end of the game it is almost certainly possible to max out all weapons. Each increase in power unlocks new punches and special attacks in the skill tree, and these moves can be further refined. The player thus gradually builds an increasingly complex and powerful repertoire of possibilities.
In addition to coins, the game also awards red orbs that are collected by defeating opponents. These are used to develop Mehran's skills and allow him to unlock new abilities. Yellow orbs, which are obtained by perfectly blocking or killing opponents, are used to perform special attacks or restore health, giving the player a reason to use precise timing and patience in battle.
Health is increased by finding chests, which are distributed along the paths and often hidden in nooks and crannies. In addition to increasing endurance, they simultaneously expand the capacity of the yellow orbs, which makes the fight much easier later on. But the problem lies in finding them — they're easy to overlook, and since the game is strictly linear, there's no going back to previous locations. That's exactly why you should explore every corner, because missing chests can make the player's path more difficult in the long run.
The game consists of tightly defined levels with some separate paths. Although at first glance it may appear that there are two path choices, they almost always lead to either a chest or a collectible. The research itself is therefore not much, but it is clear that the design is deliberately focused on the story and action, without straying too far.
It takes about thirteen hours to complete the game, which is quite a solid duration for this type of adventure. There are three difficulty levels: easy, normal and hard. Already at the normal level, the game provides a challenge, and in the later parts, it requires serious mastery of blocking and using special attacks. The difficult level is intended for the most experienced players and does not forgive mistakes, so it brings a real test of patience and precision.
On the technical side, Blood of Mehran looks impressive graphically. The landscapes of Mesopotamia, sumptuous palaces and vast deserts are shown with rich details, and the games of light and fire come to the fore. The animations, both of the characters and of the environment itself, raise the atmosphere to a higher level. Traveling on a horse is limited solely to moving from one location to another and does not involve combat, but the horse is visually and animatedly well executed. In animated sequences, facial expressions sometimes seem stiff and less convincing, so the characters' emotions are not always fully expressed. It's a detail that could have been done more convincingly, especially since the story is based on strong emotions and personal losses.
The technical performance of the first model of the PlayStation 5 console also leaves room for criticism. During gameplay, drops in the number of frames per second are common, and the problems become especially pronounced at times when there is a lot of fire or explosions on the screen. While this doesn't make the game unplayable, it significantly detracts from the smooth running feel and shows that the optimization could have been better.
In terms of console rewards, Blood of Mehran offers a complete set of trophies. These include unlocking and upgrading each weapon to the highest level, finding all chests and special items, and defeating key opponents. The final award, the platinum trophy, is awarded to players only when they manage to collect all the previous awards. The path to it requires precision, dedication and patience, but provides a strong sense of achievement.
Stylistically and structurally, the game can be compared to modern titles like God of War and more recent parts of the Assassin's Creed series. The combat system based on direct conflict, the emphasis on story and character, the possibility of hidden access and linear guidance through the levels are reminiscent of the best elements of those series. Thus, Blood of Mehran does not invent anything new, but successfully combines familiar ideas into a unique whole that takes place in an exotic and fresh environment.
Overall, Blood of Mehran is an impressive adventure that stands out with an emotional story, good combat design and a visually striking world. Its linear structure brings focus, but denies freedom of exploration, and technical problems on the console and somewhat weaker facial animations in the sequences somewhat spoil the overall impression. Nevertheless, thanks to a satisfying combat system, excellent elimination animations and an atmosphere that exudes authenticity, it is a memorable experience that will give many a strong sense of fulfillment.
A copy of the game was provided by publisher Blowfish Studios for review purposes
