Sword of the Sea Garners Strong Reviews from Critics

Sword of the Sea Receives Rave Reviews Ahead of Launch

Giant Squid's latest adventure title, Sword of the Sea, is making waves with critics ahead of its official release. Review embargoes have lifted, and early impressions show the game is largely a success, with the PlayStation 5 version achieving an average score of 89 on Metacritic and an 84 on OpenCritic, alongside an 82% critic recommendation rate.

Reviewers have consistently lauded the game's breathtaking visuals, fluid and responsive gameplay, intuitive controls, and a beautiful soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. However, not all aspects were universally praised. Some critics found the narrative less compelling, while others pointed to the game's relatively short length, with an average playthrough lasting less than four hours.

A Journey Across Desolate Lands

Sword of the Sea comes from Giant Squid, the studio founded by the art director behind acclaimed titles like Flower and Journey. Much like its predecessors, this new game invites players on a vibrant adventure through mesmerizing landscapes. The core method of traversal is once again a unique board-like vehicle, this time called an 'aero blade.' Players will glide across diverse terrains with the ultimate goal of restoring a vast, dried-up ocean.

What Critics Are Saying

Here’s a snapshot of what some outlets thought about Sword of the Sea:

• PlayStation LifeStyle – 100/100: Praised it as one of the best PS5 games, offering an unforgettable experience from start to finish. Highlighted impressive visuals, responsive controls, and high replayability.
• Push Square – 90/100: While not as impactful as Journey, it feels like a spiritual successor. Noted the incredibly fluid gameplay, gorgeous environments, and fantastic tactile controller effects.
• TheGamer – 90/100: Described the game as a short but incredibly sweet journey, capable of evoking strong emotions. Highlighted excellent sword-gliding mechanics and a truly beautiful world.
• Game Informer – 85/100: Found the narrative less emotionally resonant compared to the stellar visuals, feel, and sound. Appreciated the game's brevity and visual splendor, noting it never overstays its welcome.
• Gamereactor UK – 80/100: Felt the short playtime was perfect, preventing the game from feeling stretched. Recommended it to fans of Journey, Rime, and Abzû, despite finding some elements predictable.
• ComicBook – 80/100: While praising the controls and DualSense integration, the reviewer noted that the game's elements don't always combine elegantly. Mentioned the artificial replayability due to the skill system and limited backtracking, but still found the core experience captivating.
• Slant Magazine – 60/100: Criticized the game for its occasionally clashing elements, particularly the abrupt tonal shifts and the 'silly' moments of riding marine life. Felt the game ended too suddenly, leaving a sense of incompleteness despite its short runtime.

What This Means for Players

The generally positive reception suggests that fans of Giant Squid's previous works, especially Journey, will likely find much to love in Sword of the Sea. Its focus on exploration, visual artistry, and atmospheric sound design appears to be a major draw. While some may wish for a deeper story or a longer experience, the consensus indicates that the game delivers a highly polished and enjoyable, albeit brief, adventure.

Sword of the Sea is set to launch tomorrow, August 19th, on PC (Steam) and PlayStation 5. It will also be available on PlayStation Plus from day one.