What’s more, these are characters you can get involved with, and in a story that you want to progress through. Indeed it explains why Heavenly Sword 2 was cancelled and it's team made redundant. Why does Nariko feel she is cursed? Just don’t spoil the fun for the rest of us with your sulky digs and cries of ‘meh.’, Beneath the high production values there’s a fairly average hack-and-slash game with a few nice ideas and some fun sniping chapters. As a standard-bearer for the cinematic future of the action game, it does a staggering job. The story was bad. Straight up, if you’re a fan of the intricate combos and gritty close combat of a God of War or Ninja Gaiden, then there’s a good chance you’ll be disappointed by the system on show in Heavenly Sword. But if you’re going to judge Heavenly Sword against the current giants of the hack-and-slash action genre, then you may go away disappointed. Heavenly Sword's on-paper design is great, but unfortunately it just misses greatness in a number of areas. A Little Slice of Heaven By SuperPhillip, updated 04/24/2008. Thick and substantial, it makes a daring display, and Neo would love it! There’s only one way to find out. Heavenly Sword has a lot to offer, assuming you keep your expectations in check. You might want to know the reasons and the criteria, but at the end of the day you want a definite judgement. Would Jurassic Park have been anything without the revolutionary CGI dinosaurs? For a long, long time, Heavenly Sword's been a poster child for the next generation of PlayStation gaming, with a virtually unparalleled aesthetic and attention to detail. Would the Spider-Man movies have been great had Sam Raimi been limited to the same effects as the seventies TV series? 8. Heavenly Sword; Heavenly Sword Review. The game plays in a very similar fashion to Ninja Gaiden Sigma, for any of you who have already played that and enjoyed it. The fighting is styled on martial arts and the main character, Nariko, uses a weapon called the Heavenly Sword which changes into one of three forms depending on what attack stance the player uses as part of a unique fighting style. In the end, it’s a game that a lot of casual gamers are going to love. Heavenly Sword is a fantastic addition to the PS3 lineup, and it's also an exclusive. It is not what Heavenly Sword … Your enemies, from common troops to slender ninjas to bestial apemen, are drawn and animated with an impressive attention to character and detail. There are combos to learn, and there is a certain degree of strategy in the fighting, but for much of the game it’s a button-masher’s dream. Heaven Sword is one of my all time favorite Jin Yong stories. Heavenly Sword provides exactly what the PlayStation3 is in dire need of. as you would expect from characters in a video game, most of the characters are pretty stereotypical, but Narika and kai are well developed characters, apparently bound to the wheel of the sword. The lighting and general ambience seems to cross the work Fumito Ueda put together in Ico and Shadow of the Colossus with the grand spectacle of God of War, with an additional rich Eastern influence that could have come straight from the Crouching Tiger/Hero/House of Flying Daggers strain of Wuxia cinema. Review Scoring Details for Heavenly Sword. They hired the multi-talented, multi-faceted jazz/world/drum&bass musician Nitin Sawhney to write the orchestral soundtrack, and orchestras in London and Prague to record it. Heavenly Sword ambitions in the visuals department come at a cost, however, there is a fair amount of screen tearing throughout the game, and the frame rate takes a hit when there is an intense processing load. Everything the game does well in the hack'n'slash department is undermined by these silly sections. Developer: Sony. Despite some interesting set-piece battles and boss encounters, Heavenly Sword falls back more and more on simply throwing on harder foes then more foes and then more, harder foes. Heavenly Sword and Dragon Slaying Sabre took place nearly 100 years after the events of Return of the Condor Heroes in a China ruled by the Mongolian Yuan Dynasty. Puzzles, meanwhile, are limited to opening doors by pulling levers, winding pulleys or throwing swords or shields at handily placed gongs. Developers Ninja Theory roped in Andy ‘Gollum/King Kong’ Serkis to provide motion capture acting expertise and play the main villain’s role of Bothan, plus a selection of other thesps including the legendary Stephen Berkoff. They have combined all this talent with a frankly awesome graphics engine capable of doing both some of the most lavish large-scale battle scenes I’ve ever seen and the most incredible character close-ups of any game, ever, in the history of games so far. Sadly, actually playing it opens up a couple of different opinions. 8. Characters look alive and don't move with the usual stiltedness. You block and parry automatically providing you’re not actively attacking, and pummelling the square and triangle buttons is usually enough to unleash a constant wave of spectacular thrusts, cuts and slashes on your hapless foes. Heavenly Sword is a dramatic tale of revenge that sees Nariko (Anna Torv), a fiery red-haired heroine, embark on a quest for vengeance against the invading King Bohan (Alfred Molina) and his army. For the erstwhile reviewer, sitting on the fence is one of the great cardinal sins – and nowhere more so than on this fine website. The more the game goes on, the more crucial this becomes. Heavenly Sword is undoubtedly beautiful and engaging. Heavenly Sword has all the angles covered making this action game one of the most cinematically gripping titles for the Playstation 3 console. What’s more, if you’re the sort of person who occasionally buys a movie just because it’s going to look fantastic on your giant LCD or plasma screen and sound awesome on your sound system, then you’ll find Heavenly Sword an essential addition to your collection. After all, you don’t come to TrustedReviews for some roundabout discussion of a game’s weaknesses and merits followed by a verdict along the lines of “it’s decent enough” or “if you like this sort of thing you’ll like this.” You come because you want us to tell you whether the thing is worth splashing your hard earned cash out on or not. Heavenly Sword review All hail the PS3's gaming goddess By Barry_Keating 29 August 2007. Heavenly Sword is quite possibly a gift from Sony to anyone who owns a PlayStation 3 console. Measuring 19″ overall, this sword has a stainless steel, double-edged blade with a … All the same, it’s hard to deny how repetitive and uninspired a lot of the action is. It does come close, though. Despite some interesting set-piece battles and boss encounters, Heavenly Sword falls back more and more on simply throwing on harder foes then more foes and then more, harder foes. With the exception of Motorstorm, it’s the first game that – were I to watch a friend playing it or see it running in the shop – would make me want to rush out and buy a PS3. If not, save your cash and hold off for Devil May Cry 4, Ninja Gaiden 2 or the next God of War. Violence, Suggestive Themes, Language, Blood, IGN & Friends Among Us Charity Livestream, Where to Buy 2021 Gaming Laptops with the Newest GeForce RTX 3060, RTX 3070, and RTX 3080 Video Cards, The Best PlayStation Deals for January 2021, Netflix's 2021 Movie Release Lineup: New Films From Chris Hemsworth, Dwayne Johnson, and Zack Snyder Revealed, Microsoft Not Changing Xbox Live Gold Pricing, Free-to-Play Games Unlocked, Cyberpunk 2077: Patch 1.1 Is Now Available on PC, Consoles, and Stadia, Vicarious Visions Reportedly Brought Into Blizzard to Work on Diablo 2 Remake, The 11 Worst Characters in Mortal Kombat History, Things Ghost of Tsushima Doesn't Tell You. Heavenly Sword Review. Even the bosses are interesting and appealing in their own twisted way. An extremely stylish and immediate action romp that will entertain the masses and earn points for its … SHOW Heavenly ... Sony is challenging their very own Kratos for the top title with Heavenly Sword. There’s a strong part of me that wants to argue that “take away all that dazzling Hollywood presentation, and Heavenly Sword probably wouldn’t be that great a game”. Even though it's quite short compared to other epic titles, the game is so interesting and fun to play that almost everyone will forgive them. Heavenly Sword feels like a summer action flick. Revolving around the powerful mythical Heavenly Sword the story follows the adventures of Nariko who takes up the powers of the sword in order to get vengeance against against the invading clan. A game like Heavenly Sword can make this very difficult indeed. With such a high standard set, it shouldn't come as a surprise that gameplay doesn't hold up its end of the bargain. Apr 02, 2016. From heroine Nariko to Serkis’s Bothan, these are digital characters capable of crossing the infamous uncanny valley. Even the voice-talent didn't sound too into it. The cast of characters is fun, the combat system is equal parts challenging and rewarding, and there’s some really nice visual design in its world. Heavenly Sword couples this awful control with a sluggish cannon and long range targets and a time limit. Duke Ferris. Heavenly Sword for PlayStation 3 game reviews & Metacritic score: A dramatic tale of revenge sees Nariko, a fiery red-haired heroine embark on a quest for vengeance against an invading King and his army. While this 2019 adaption is overall done well and quite watchable, I am still disappointed because the story is so gripping and epic that properly executed it could have and should have been a 10. With Anna Torv, Alfred Molina, Thomas Jane, Ashleigh Ball. 8. Start getting into the nitty-gritty of game mechanics and the pace and flow of the actual gameplay, however, and it’s a game that often falls short. Don’t worry, you’re amongst friends here…. Heavenly Sword boasts near-flawless character models, sweeping scenery, and a story that's every bit as emotionally charged as a film. But for those looking for a well-crafted tale, solid hack ‘n’ slash action and one of the PS3’s best early showcases, Heavenly Sword may just punch the ticket. These, and many of the aforementioned puzzles, make copious use of ‘aftertouch’ – a first-person view of the fired or thrown missile where you can steer it to its objective by tilting the Sixaxis controller. Think of it like this – couldn’t you say the same of 99% of Hollywood blockbusters out there? Heavenly Sword Review. As an experience, it’s frequently mind-blowing. Some will find this gimmicky or unnecessarily difficult and reach for the analogue stick steering option instead, but – personally – I thought it was a hoot. With no online options and little repeat play value it is also, it must be said, a little short. Not as short, it must be said, as some of the game’s harshest critics might make out, but certainly short of the masterpiece status that, on visuals alone, it might be judged worthy. I'd say this game would make a good franchise; we'll just have to wait and see how it … Without the selection of weapons or the magic attacks you take for granted in God of War, all the button mashing occasionally gets you down. 8. I think it’s safe to say that an awful lot of work has gone into Heavenly Sword’s production values. Great visuals, but only a so-so story about a family beset with the dangerous desires of a power-mad warlord. Games: Heavenly Sword; By David McComb | Posted 31 Aug 2007. Developed by Ninja Theory, Heavenly Sword is a visually stunning martial arts drama set in a mythical time and place in the Far East. Still, there’s a sense that, as the game goes on, it just doesn’t have the depth or imagination to build to the bigger, better things you might expect. Unfortunately, the weird way in which you unlock new combos and the dull QTE’s drag the experience down a bit. There are even times when it gets to be a bit of a grind, and you’re glad to see the back of a specific chapter just because – when it comes down to it – trashing several whopping ape-men at once isn’t actually that much fun. Sometimes it’s OK to gloss over the defects or weaknesses in a game’s gameplay and get caught up in the experience as a whole. ... Heavenly Sword is a story of a nubile outcast, Nariko and her search and subsequent protection of the highly coveted sword … OK. Fine. Aren’t there a lot of movie stars where, were you to pull away the looks and the glamour, you’d be left with someone of only mediocre acting talent? By Paul Younger April 21, 2008. Heavenly Sword (PlayStation 3) review by Jason Venter. It's full of nonstop action, and it looks terrific. We may earn a commission if you click a deal and buy an item. This majestic sword is 31” overall, with a 440 stainless steel blade measuring 20”. That doesn’t mean that there’s no complexity. But look at those visuals, get caught up in the experience, and you might end up saying “so what?”. lovely. As a showcase for the PS3’s graphics power, it’s very impressive indeed. Unfortunately, it's over far too quickly. Heavenly Sword, similar to Enslaved, offers a heady mix of heroic storytelling and narrative. Emperor Kang-Si Sword. i have never played heavenly sword, resident evil or final fantasy, but this movie certainly follows the genre, beautifully executed. Reaper Curved Battle Blade. Is this game worth your time and your money? admin / September 18, 2007. Heavenly Sword is an film animation from the popular game on the PS3 (play-station) about a heroine and her sister, with an unbreakable bond, that set off on a journey to to find their long lost brother chosen by fate to wield a sword of the the Gods. This is how we make money. The landscapes you battle across and through, whether a mountain path or the interior of a mighty fortress, are never less than striking. The main problem is that Nariko spends most of her game carrying a sword capable of standing against the most powerful beings in the world, yet primarily battles simple soldiers. Battle scenes are truly epic, with hundreds of soldiers on-screen at once. If you can complete Ninja Gaiden with a blindfold on and one hand tied behind your back, or if you’ve cut a bloody swathe through both God of War 1 and 2, then you may come away shouting loudly not only that the emperor isn’t wearing any clothes, but that he’s not as generously endowed as he’s been making out for the last two years. Audience Reviews for Heavenly Sword. It really played just like a series of "cut-scenes" between game-levels. Artistically, Heavenly Sword is a complete and utter triumph. And while Kratos does wear a … Heavenly Sword Review. In battle, Nariko is a magnificent presence, tumbling and slashing as her crimson hair flows in her wake. Heavenly Sword is a lamentable video game tie-in movie which might be only marginal amount better than watching two hours worth of YouTube game walkthroughs. If you can do that, then you’ll find Heavenly Sword a game that’s well worth your time and your money. Let me explain further. Heavenly sword isn’t afraid to fill the screen with tons of enemies either, making battles feel epic and giving them a sense of urgency. Heavenly Sword is defined by lots of combat and beautiful, high-quality cutscenes; this is not to say that in-game graphics are worse; actually, your eyes will be delighted watching Nariko throw her powerful attacks her crazy, long, red hair flows in the air, dancing in the middle of a combat scene. Release Date: 13 Sep 2007. Once you’re wielding the titular blade itself, the game opens up a range of stances – range, speed and power – which, when accessed via the shoulder buttons, enable you to hold enemies at bay or smash through the defences of your beefier opponents with relative ease. A strong new franchise for the PS3 By smansell927, updated 02/19/2008. Legend said that whoever obtains the Heavenly Sword and Dragon Slaying Saber can rule the world. The combat is fast paced, interesting and communicates the power of having the (masterfully titled) Heavenly Sword. We encourage you to read our updated PRIVACY POLICY and COOKIE POLICY. Result boring, frustrating gameplay. Heavenly Sword - PS3 Review. Classic Game Room presents a CGRundertow review of Heavenly Sword for PlayStation 3. Heavenly Sword Review. The animation looks bad. It’s not quite as dozy or formulaic as, say, a Dynasty Warriors or Ninety-Nine Nights, but there is a lot of battle this collection of goons, then move along a bit and bash the next stuff to wade through, and while it’s always absorbing, it’s not always all that thrilling. If wanted a game to show off your PS3, Heavenly Sword is a good bet to get some strong reactions. Heavenly Sword would not serve as Sony’s saviour, nor would it become a key series after failing to break even on its expensive budget. Gameplay: 8.5 There is a minor learning curve when it comes to the game’s controls, but players are generally Heavenly Sword - PS3 Review By OrpheusUK, updated 04/07/2008. Heavenly Sword began development in 2002 with footage of the original PC version published on TeamXbox in 2004. What’s more, specific enemies start doing attacks that can only be blocked when in a certain stance. Heavenly Sword is an original mix of barbarian and Far East culture all rolled into its own properties. Heavenly Sword is that sort of game: your sense of disappointment is amplified because it's clear that Ninja Theory handled so many elements exquisitely. August 30th, 2007. Will using the Heavenly Sword of the title bring downfall on her and her people, or is it the only way to fight back against an evil empire? It had, at one time, been up and running on an early Xbox 360 prototype, [citation needed] but this was abandoned in favor of the PlayStation 3 when the title was picked up by Sony Computer Entertainment. The plot was lost somewhere along the road to redemption. There’s just something about taking on a whole regiment of archers on your tod when you can take each one out in slow motion through a series of impossible, snaking shots. We’re not talking Tomb Raider standard, let alone anything more elaborate than that. Away from the cut-scenes, the game remains astonishingly beautiful. Some enemies or combinations of enemies demand a different approach, but these are relatively few and far between. Why the distance between her and her master swordsman father? Heavenly Sword is a PlayStation 3 exclusive title with high production values that delivers an engaging story and impressive cut scenes to bring you into the game world. By Unbridled9, updated 12/18/2013. The game's biggest strength is its combat system, which in large part works very well. Heavenly Sword is the hotly anticipated sword fighting game from Ninja Theory which was released exclusively on PS3 on 12/09/2007. Sometimes it’s OK to be swept away by eye-candy, style and production values, particularly if they also come with strong, likeable characters and decent narrative hooks. Directed by Gun Ho Jang. Somebody at Ninja Theory clearly realised that there was some potential here for monotony, so the hack-and-slash stuff is interspersed with some canon-firing missions featuring Nariko herself and a series of sniper challenges featuring Nariko’s archer chum, Kai. But there’s another part of me that thinks differently. They might not look 100 per cent realistic – though they’re pretty darn close – but they seem alive with rich personality. Once considered the failure of a legendary prophecy, Nariko must wield a sword that was ultimately meant … A warrior stronger than any God. 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