So, another Assassin's Creed-ish action RPG is on the horizon? Honestly, my cynicism levels are already spiking. We've seen so many try to capture that blend of historical tourism and stabby-stabby gameplay, haven't we? How many times can we climb a tower before it all starts to feel... the same?
But here's the thing: Blood of Mehran is trying something a little different. Instead of Rome, Greece, or Viking-era England, Permanent Way Entertainment is diving deep into the world of One Thousand and One Nights – The Arabian Nights. Scheherazade, genies, flying carpets, the whole shebang. Interesting, right? Or is it just another reskin?
The obvious comparison point here is, well, Assassin's Creed. And I'm skeptical because that franchise has become so... standardized. It's a formula. A beautiful, sprawling formula, sure, but a formula nonetheless. You've got your open world, your collectibles, your light stealth mechanics, and your skill tree. Will Blood of Mehran manage to break free, or will it just be AC with a fez?
What Makes Blood of Mehran Different (Potentially)?
Okay, Permanent Way Entertainment being based in Turkey and seemingly having Middle Eastern devs on board is a HUGE plus. It suggests a level of cultural authenticity that's often missing from these big-budget, Western-developed historical games. Think about it: How many times have we seen ancient cultures portrayed through a very... Western lens? Will this be different? We hope so.
And the source material! The Arabian Nights is wild. Like, properly, wonderfully weird. Sonic and the Secret Rings pulled from this - weird. Uncharted 3 did too, but that was more subtle. We’re talking stories filled with magic, trickery, and moral ambiguity. Not just your typical good-versus-evil fantasy tropes. Could this provide a unique spin on gameplay? Dialogue choices? Who knows!
Plus, Blood of Mehran isn't just slapping a new coat of paint on existing mechanics. The developers are promising a combat system that emphasizes timing and precision, rather than just button-mashing. More Dark Souls than Dynasty Warriors? Sign me up… maybe.
Will it Actually Be Good? That's the Million-Dollar Question.
Of course, all of this sounds great on paper. But we've been burned before, haven't we? Countless times. Remember that Egyptian-themed action RPG that promised the moon and delivered a buggy mess? Or that Viking simulator that was more about grinding resources than raiding villages? I do. I remember all of them. I'm holding out hope, but I'm not holding my breath.
So, what are my concerns? Plenty. Will the combat be clunky? Will the story be engaging? Will the world feel alive, or just a series of empty set pieces? Most importantly, will they do the source material justice?
Consider the potential pitfalls: cultural appropriation. Tone-deaf writing. Simplistic portrayals of complex characters and narratives. These are all very real possibilities. The devs are going to have to navigate these tricky topics very skillfully if they want this game to be anything more than a fleeting curiosity.
But, hey, maybe, just maybe, Blood of Mehran will surprise us. Maybe it will be that breath of fresh air that the action RPG genre desperately needs. Maybe it will finally deliver a historically inspired game that actually feels authentic and engaging. One can hope, right?
It lands on Steam, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S in October. I’ll be watching closely. Will you be grabbing this new RPG?
