Heavenly Sword

"Two Years Later, Heavenly Sword Still Holds Up"

I had my first experiences with Heavenly Sword was about a year and a half ago when my roommate got it with his PS3. I played through the first chapter before he traded it in, leaving me wanting to finish the beautifully crafted journey I had started. Now, being on my own and having my own PS3, I picked up this title for a pretty decent price (around $20).

Upon starting it, I had to relearn the controls all over. The controls, although sluggish in response, are easy to pick up. This was the first time I had used the SixAxis controls (which are used during canon or Kai missions) and I was shocked to learn that I had to learn how to hold a controller, all over again. Usually resting on my lap, at a 45 degree angle, I found many a cannon ball and arrow arcing straight up in the air, far away from the enemy. Sadly, my gameplay woes, did not end there. Standard combat is the real enemy, here.

Between bosses, the only obstacle is keeping up your stamina. No, there is no Stamina bar in-game. I speak of the feeling that your thumbs will fall off as you mash away, frantically, at your gamepad in order to pull off combos. The boss battles bring a whole new meaning of frustration as you try to grow a sixth sense in order to keep your health up by rolling and blocking. Quick-Time-Events pop up so unexpectedly that you will often fail them before you even get your thumb to the correct button. This usually results in the boss magically regaining health and you magically screaming at the screen.

The crown jewel of Heavenly Sword, the reason I kept playing, was the delivery of the story. I am not a man who focuses on Multiplayer. It's the single-player story that makes, or breaks, a game. The acting, both voice and motion capture performed by the same actors, is amazing! Andy Serkis' direction made the cutscenes worth, not only watching, but worth playing through the game to see. It is a saving grace for the overall game.

The replay value here is not very high. Upon completion of a single playthrough, you are awarded a "hell" mode. Having had my first experience in years of screaming profanity at my television, I wondered: "wasn't that hellish enough?" Already knowing the story, and having all the cutscenes unlocked and reviewable, a second playthrough would just not be worth it.

The complete package of Heavenly Sword is what I had been looking forward to when I heard that the PS3 would be using the high-capacity Blu Ray. Through playing the game, you unlock DVD-like special features such as Making of documentaries and concept art. I think that all games should incorporate this for the sake of gamers appreciating the hard work that goes into making the games they play. This made me think, would this experience have been better played out in a motion picture? The frustrating, repetitive button mashing hinders the dramatic experience, but not enough to completely put me off the game. Overall, I am pleased, and shocked, that this game has held up in this generation of gaming.

Graphics: 9/10
This game is absolutely stunning, visually. The character models are wonderfully rendered and the striking backgrounds go on for days. The only factors keeping the score down are the odd running animations, voice/animation sync and the ability Nariko's hair has to fly freakishly around and through objects during cutscenes. There is a high level of polish considering the amount of development the project underwent without knowing of what the PS3 would be capable. I still have not seen skin rendered this well, 2 years after launch.

Sound: 10/10
The orcestral score to this game is worth listening to without the game. Simply a great match with the surrounding aesthetics. However, the shining star here is the voice acting of Andy Serkis and his supporting cast. Being a story-driven game such as this, the cast definitely did not break this game.

Gameplay: 6/10
The combat can be explained in one word: tiresome. So many enemies are thrown at you that you will find yourself pausing the game just to rest your thumbs. The control response seemed sluggish, which leads to frustration. A patient gamer will find themselves tested as they replay long-winded boss battles numerous times from the very beginning.

Entertainment Value: 8/10
Heavenly Sword is short, but it plays like a movie. The weight that the cutscene value carries definitely pushes the entertainment value up.

Replay Value: 1/10
A gamer will really have to be into this type of game before even thinking about playing it through more than once.

The Bottom Line
Heavenly Sword is a beautiful, story-driven game, that is hindered by repetitive, frustrating gameplay. Worth a single playthrough, but not much else.


7/10

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 11/11/09

Game Release: Heavenly Sword (US, 09/12/07)