Posted on: October 2, 2007 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Heavenly Sword / 2007 Ninja Theory / Playstation 3 / http://www.heavenlysword.com

It just seems as if Sony is getting their stuff together and putting forth some of the best games out for any of the three terrestrial game platforms (now if Bioshock was on a platform, I don’t know how comfortable I would be with that statement).  Heavenly Sword, created by Ninja Theory, is yet another of these games. The one thing that will hit individuals first has to be the beautiful scenery and the ways in which the game’s main character, Nariko interacts with it. Fans of classics such as Shenmue (and its’ sequel) as well as God of War will find quite a few hours of fun in Heavenly Sword.

In a way, Heavenly Sword’s storyline and gameplay seems to have something in common with the Dynasty Warriors line of games. Unlike Dynasty Warriors, there is enough variety of gameplay that individuals can honestly play Heavenly Sword for a few hours without feeling that they have just been doing the same thing since they flipped on the system. More so, fans of 8 Bit Theater will be pleased to know that Fighter’s swordchucks make an appearance in this game, as the sword turns into something resembling that weapon during Nariko’s range stance. The title object does not create a problem in regards to players’ interest in the game, as Nariko has three different iterations of the weapon (the aforementioned range stance, along with the stronger speed and power stances). Furthermore, individuals have the ability at strategic times to take control of a second character, Kai, who has more of a ranged (sniper) and ninja-like style to eirself).

The end of the story lends itself well to the planned sequels to the game; the success that Heavenly Sword has achieved to this point owing to its’ amazing graphics, game play, and story will ensure that the franchise will have a number of adherents for whenever the second game comes out. Heavenly Sword cuts through its’ competition in the hack and slash, RPG, and Zelda-like style blending the two together. With such a large world to explore and a storyline that never feels stifling, Heavenly Sword is able to be played again and again. Unlike most games, everything that Nariko does seems to push forward the story that much more. I know I gave Heavenly Sword a solid week of gameplay, and the storyline finally gave up the ghost only after I obsessively played it for that time.

Rating: 8.0/10

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