Sword of the Sea, A Sharp And Pointy Review

What to do with a sword when there are no more opponents to defeat? It's too big to cut onions with, and too sharp to be just a decoration. The best thing to do is to use it as a means of transportation, provided it floats like in the game Sword of the Sea.

If you are in the mood for a completely different vibe, check out our RoboCop Unfinished Business review!

The Story

The reason for exploring the desert is rooted in a story. It follows the awakened character who brings the ocean to the desert with their sword. On this adventure, the character encounters both potential helpers and threats, which is just intriguing enough to hold everything together. It's one of those stories where nothing is said (you can't even see the characters' mouths), and what has already happened is told through brief writings. These are mostly themes and motifs that have been processed in gaming countless times and don't represent anything surprising or new.

Nothing is disappointing in the story of Sword of the Sea, but there's also nothing that reaches narrative heights similar to other games, let alone surpasses them. One of the comparable games is certainly Journey, from 2012, also the debut title of the game's director. With that game, we remember how surprising it was when we encountered other players in the desert. Sword of the Sea doesn't have such a trick, something that's not scripted or expected, to launch its story among absolute classics.

What Sword of the Sea can certainly stand alongside its predecessors is its complete presentation, from visuals to sound. The game presents an unreal, almost heavenly vision of the environment where fish fly through the air, meteor showers pour down from the sky, and all of this combines with the mystical architecture of locations that are as isolated as they are grandiose, creating a truly immersive experience.

What's Sword Of The Sea About

Surfing on a sword isn't exactly new in gaming. We occasionally see it in action games; last year, in Stellar Blade, we experienced a similar approach. However, I don't remember a game that entirely focused on it, so Sword of the Sea can be considered an original concept.

As familiar as the surfing concept may be, here it's a unique experience. You quickly realize how fast and precise stopping is when surfing on a sword. The sword surfing doesn't follow classical physics rules, and that's where the fun lies. Sword of the Sea is a type of game where you jump from crazy heights and perform tricks without fear of crashing because falling off the sword isn't an option here.

Sword surfing doesn't follow classical physics rules, and that's where the fun lies.

You might wonder what the point of surfing is and where the challenge is in the game. The answer is that Sword of the Sea is primarily an adventure game with elements of exploration and occasional puzzle-solving. 

The Gameplay

Surfing on different surfaces is a movement mechanic used primarily to avoid obstacles and dangers towards the end of the game. There's no classic combat in Sword of the Sea, and the trick system is entirely optional.

It might not sound exciting based on this description, but Sword of the Sea is designed to make movement itself enjoyable. In some parts of the game, your goal is to gather speed to surf faster and jump farther. In other parts, you're searching for hidden arenas where you can connect tricks in a combo to get a high score and unlock new abilities.

The level design is also crafted to be a pleasure to explore. They give the impression of vast space, but with fluid sword surfing, you can travel from one end of the level to the other in under half a minute. It's not tiring at all when you want to return to the start of the level to check if you missed anything – jump on a big chain and grind on it to your destination. And since physics doesn't matter, you can return the same way in the opposite direction.

The World of Sword Of The Sea

With its relaxing gameplay and subtle guidance, Sword of the Sea is a game that knows exactly when to introduce something new. Whether you're sword surfing or exploring the vast, beautifully designed world, the game elegantly guides you towards your goal, ensuring you never feel lost or overwhelmed. 

The result is that I never got lost or wondered where I should go, even in a vast space. The game doesn't use aggressive "go there" but rather subtle confirmation that the player is on the right track.

The Sound And Immersion of Sword Of The Sea

The music is composed by Austin Wintory, who probably dreams about such games during his afternoon naps. He's composed music for all games of this type, from Journey, Abzû, to Pathless, but here he still managed to deliver something distinct and touching.

 The songs with vocals stand out particularly, and it's praiseworthy that the music is present throughout and dynamically adapts to the situation, i.e., the events in the game. Simply put, Sword of the Sea sounds like its environment is merged with the music, and it's impossible to separate one from the other. Even if you listen to the music without playing, you can imagine what the gameplay would look like.

If you asked me if I could hum any melody from Sword of the Sea, I couldn't. And the reason for that is the relative shortness of the game itself. I finished it in three hours and six minutes, which was at a reasonably relaxed pace.

In Conclusion 

 It's good that the game unlocks additional options for a second playthrough, but it's a shame that the action is limited to the end. I'd love a more challenging game that's not just about collecting as many points as possible and finishing the game as fast as possible. 

And I know we should be grateful that the studio managed to deliver even this, but the criticism stands, and the gameplay potential isn't fully realized. But that's just how it is – everything beautiful is short-lived. And while it lasts, you should make the most of it. That's why I highly recommend Sword of the Sea to everyone looking for three hours of relaxing enjoyment and an audiovisual treat for the senses. 

Sword of the Sea doesn't surpass its predecessors in quality, but it still offers a unique experience that's worth indulging in.

Rating: 8.5/10. 

The game received this grade due to its beautiful presentation, relaxing gameplay, and memorable soundtrack; however, it's brought down by its short length and lack of challenge.

Recommended age: 10 and up.

I recommend this age group because the game is relaxing and enjoyable, with no violent or mature themes.