Heavenly Sword (Page 3 of 3)

The Heavenly Sword is a formidable weapon but getting it close enough to your enemies to do damage is another matter

The Heavenly Sword is a formidable weapon but getting it close enough to your enemies to do damage is another matter

Empathy For The Devil

And yet, even though the combat has its quirks, it is still satisfying and there are moments when you can't help but smile at the carnage that you are creating. The game mixes things up nicely, giving you the opportunity to man a cannon and rain death down upon an immense battlefield, fire off a cool rocket launcher like device to take out oncoming enemies and even take on the role of a side character, Nariko's childlike companion Kai, for some stealthy cross-bow action.

The action is also woven nicely into the game's deep narrative, making for an overall experience that is rich and satisfying. Yes, the plot is a little shaky--there are a lot of questions that are left unanswered--and the combat takes some getting use to but the overall experience is compelling enough that I wanted to return to it time and time again.

It's Not The Destination...

It's obvious that I, along with every other gamer, have become spoiled by the God of War series. When held up against that franchise's strengths, even a game like Heavenly Sword can pale in comparison. It's mildly unfair but because the game so obviously draws upon Jaffe and company's formula, it's also fitting.

So, while it doesn't eclipse the greatness of the original title that inspired it, Heavenly Sword is still a fun, engaging, and most importantly, exclusive PS3 title that Sony fanboys can brag to 360 fanboys about. Oh, there's also one unintended side-benefit: It offers a tantalizing glimpse at the possibilities inherent in the PS3 platform, which only raises my expectations for God of War 3.

Until Kratos' next adventure comes along, gamers can and should busy themselves by taking in the compelling saga of Nariko and her heavenly blade. It is without a doubt a journey worth taking, even if the road to the end is somewhat bumpy.

Pros: An interesting narrative, fantastic production values and deep combat system results in the first triple-A PS3 title of note.
Cons: The game's combat system stresses reaction over action, the boss battles are iffy and the storytelling is uneven.

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