Heavenly Sword is the first game I played on Playstation 3. I borrowed it from a friend, not wanting to pay the full $60 to give it a shot. The game took about 5 hours to get through. I don't have anything against short games, it's just that this was about the only thing I wanted to play on the system...besides the hour it took me to decide I didn't want to play Lair anymore. However, although the journey through Heavenly Sword was short, it was quite possibly one of the most beautiful journeys I have been on.
To this point, no game has displayed the type of non-verbal emotion that Heavenly Sword has achieved. The in-game character models have reached an incredible level of detail and believability, overshadowing next-gen games that "broke the mold," like Oblivion. Voiced by an equally talented cast (excluding a few over the top melodramatic sequences) the characters do make this game. It is an excellent cinematic experience. Unfortunately, as with Lair, games can't be judged on graphics and voices alone.
As I mentioned in my Okami review, if you're going to rip a game off, rip off something good. Okami bears a striking resemblance to the recent Legend of Zeldas, as Heavenly Sword is strikingly God of War. Although the title is "Heavenly Sword" it frequently comes apart and is dual wielded... on chains. The old, Quick Time Events (QTE) as seen in Shenmue and God of War (push this button quickly during this cinematic fight scene) are everywhere. The game also relies heavily on fluid, beautiful combos. One thing that does set it apart from God of War is the lack of a platforming element, for better or worse. Anyway, since there's nothing new under the sun anyway, (except Portal, I'm told) I'll move on.
One added feature to the basic action game includes the "Aftertouch" that can be given to arrows, cannonballs and rockets. Using the Sixaxis' motion control, once an arrow is fired you can keep holding the button and go into slow
motion. As the projectile continues along it's path you can guide it by tilting the controller to the sides, up or down to help it reach that crucial head shot. With the cannon, you have to hit small bulls-eyes on approaching siege machines. I found myself looking forward to these scenes.
Melee combat is fairly intense. Once the Heavenly Sword is obtained, Nariko can use separate fighting styles. Speed, range and power stances can all be engaged by holding a shoulder button. While the shoulder button is held down, you press either triangle or square in various patterns to execute combos. Using the right analog stick allows Nariko to dodge/evade in a roll.
One mistake in the control design in my opinion, was having block be activated by not pressing anything. It should have been assigned one of the buttons at the least, and greatest case should have been to allow you to press this button to also stop Nariko in mid-combo. It just would have felt like you had a little more control. Enemies are also a little block heavy themselves, especially for the very few block-breaking combos that Nariko has available to her.
Heavenly Sword is divided into 5 chapters and about 50 stages. Each stage has 3 medallion thingies to unlock. They are unlocked by getting successive combos without getting hit and by smashing red jars of glowing stuff. While playing as Kai, Nariko's friend and sniper, you get the combo points for quick, successive head-shots and also by shooting red jars of glowing stuff. The medallions provide replay value as new artwork, combos and movies areopened by collecting them en masse. There is also a "Hell Mode" that can be accessed by completing the game.
My only other gripe is the ridiculous puzzles. Most involve throwing a hat and hitting a gong, using aforementioned "Aftertouch." Overall, Heavenly Sword shows good direction for how Playstation 3 can be as it grows and matures. It is a short game, but it makes a statement. I will be picking it up eventually.
Crazy amounts of enemies on the
battlefield at once.
Use "Aftertouch" to put this arrow
where it counts.
Gorgeously detailed in-game character
models.
Switch fighting stances by holding the
shoulder buttons.
You might recognize the voice of this
guy, my precious.