Sword of the Sea Reviews
Games like Sword of the Sea don't try to be all things to all people. It doesn't overload you with hard-to-understand systems, never-ending side tasks, or trying to get the highest score. Instead, it gives you a well-thought-out, emotionally powerful journey with smooth movement, beautiful art, and music that you'll never forget.
Giant Squid have taken a giant leap forward with Sword of the Sea, fusing gameplay, music and art together to form what I feel is their best work yet. Sword of the Sea might be on the shorter side, but through some sublime ‘hover-swording’ and wonderful design, they’ve given us an imaginative skatepark to play in for as long as we’d like.
In Sword of the Sea, you satisfyingly skate across sands, snow, and sea on your hoversword, with each wave pulling you deeper into a vibrant, mysterious world of wonder and awe. It’s an atmospheric, meditative journey where curiosity is always rewarded and adventure lies at every turn.
Whether it’s the game’s not-too-subtle commentary about climate change or Nava’s explanation of the Wraith, Sword of the Sea is trying and succeeding at making an impact
Sword of the Sea is a gorgeous and hypnotic arthouse epic full of incredible set pieces and stunning visuals that sets another high bar for studio Giant Squid as the premiere destination for meditative gameplay.
Review in Finnish | Read full review
Sword Of The Sea is a pleasure to play. Its traversal system allowed me to soar irreverently through monumental graveyards. Its narrative saw me flooding death with life and new hope. Its beauty boyoyed my spirit. Even with a few rough moments at the end, I still want nothing more than to fly back into its world.
At this point, there are no surprises with Giant Squid and the games they create. They are fine tailors of interpretive, environmental experiences. Journey was about hiking and Abzu was about scuba diving. Giant Squid possess the ability to encapsulate what makes these experiences magical and Sword of the Sea is no exception, as it’s another love letter to nature and reconnecting with it through the power of a board beneath your feet. It might be short in length, light on gameplay and abstract in meaning, but the experience is transcendent.