A demo code was used, with many thanks to Hooded Horse.
Blacksmith Master is an upcoming strategy and simulation game by developers Untitled Studio and publishers Hooded Horse. I’ve been playing the demo for a while, and it is addictive being a blacksmith.
In Blacksmith Master, as the name suggests, you take on the role of a blacksmith working with metal and wood. The demo for Blacksmith Master transports you to a medieval forge where you manage the intricate process of crafting and selling historically inspired items. As the master blacksmith, your journey begins in a modest workshop nestled in a medieval town, and it’s up to you to transform it into a thriving business.
Crafting and Management In Blacksmith Master
The demo lets you set up a basic forge and shop, hire staff, craft wooden and metal items, research blueprints, and complete missions on the main map. When the game is released,
Your primary tasks involve refining materials such as iron ingots, turning them into axes and other tools and weapons, and overseeing the production and selling of the goods. Each step in the process requires careful planning and the right tools. From smelting ore into ingots to crafting weapons and tools, every decision impacts the efficiency and profitability of your forge.
When Blacksmith Master is released sometime later this year, you will be able to control the entire production chain, from mining the ores to smelting them into ingots and then crafting armour and jewellery, such as necklaces, rings, bracelets, and crowns.
Optimising Your Workshop
Once you have progressed in the demo, you get the chance to design your shop layout, which is crucial for maximising output.
Making sure you have enough space for the production and sales of the items is important, as is adding personal touches to enhance the ambience of your shop. The correct ambience can affect customer satisfaction and your overall success. As your reputation grows, so will your shop and forge grow in size, making strategic planning vital.
Workforce Management
Hiring and managing staff is another aspect of the Blacksmith Master demo gameplay. You can hire blacksmiths, assistants and a cashier for the shop. However, you will need to balance the number of workers with their productivity and your income, as you do have to pay the workers’ wages, which can be a challenge.
Also, all the staff you hire have skill levels that you can increase so that their work output and movement speed quicken. Staff get tired, and their work output drops, so you must provide them with rest stations to keep your staff satisfied.
Diverse Crafting Processes
Crafting in Blacksmith Master varies in complexity, and most crafting involves a small timed mini-game. Some items, like weapons, require multiple steps, including heating, hammering, tempering, and sharpening. Others, like simple tools, might need fewer steps but yield smaller profits.
Optimising your workspace to handle both simple and complex items efficiently is key to maintaining a steady flow of satisfied customers. You can also help craft some items in the forge, or you can leave it to your workers to do.
Skill Development
Blacksmiths possess different skills that can be honed over time. Specialising in certain crafts, such as metalwork or woodwork, can lead to more complex and valuable creations. Deciding whether to train your staff as generalists or specialists will impact your production capabilities and market offerings.
Final Thoughts
The demo for Blacksmith Master offers a pretty detailed and immersive experience for fans of management and crafting games. I like the medieval look of the game, and the music is suitably medieval-sounding, too; it matches the atmosphere of the gameplay perfectly.
The UI needs a little work, as does the tutorial, but I would imagine those things will be improved by the game release date. The demo is part of the Steam Next Fest, so you can try the game yourself and add it to your Wishlist.
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