Mode Played & Completed: [*Normal*] [*Hell Mode*]
Acquired via: Full Purchase
Time spent: Over 10hrs
PRESENTATION:
In taking into consideration that this is a first gen game launched within the first 10 months of the PS3's cycle, I'd have to give this game nothing less than top marks in this field. Everything thing from the menu screen and theme musical score to the delivery of the story was top notch and a very good start to a new intellectual Property.
Character models and environments were stunningly presented and drip with eye poping quality. The first impression you get from the opening scene is that you're more than likely going to find at least the general presentation of the game enjoyable and compeling. I cannot say enough good things about this field in Heavenly Sword.
RATING: - ON FIRE
For explanation of ratings click here - http://chubear.gametraile...=5495
GRAPHICS:
This is another field Heavenly Sword thoroughly shines in. Again, for a first gen game, this game's graphical look is simply breath taking at times. There's so much richness in the quality of the design of the Characters, their clothing, the art decor on floors etc.
Waterfall effects are stunning and the camera does a very good job at times to show off the distant environments of which the draw distance is remarkable.
No need to ramble on and on; I trully don't think a normal rational being would have any issues at all with the look of this game.
The only gripe I can speak off (and this is almost nic-picking) is that though the main character's hair was rendered beatifully, it did have a sort of blocky look to it at times and I feel it should have flowed a bit better.
RATING: - RED HOT
SOUND:
Yet another top notch field for Heavenly Sword. One word that springs to mind for the sound in this game is Crisp. From the Clanging of swords and spears in battle to the "shuuwish" of an arrow in mid flight, everything is done with remarkable clarity and I appreciated the little things about this feature.
Though the general sound in the game is fantastic, it is further augmented by utterly stella voice acting and is probably the best I've heard in video gaming in my life time. [-] did an exceptional job with the character King Bohan and is the best in a cast of actors that were all already in a supreme realm where video game voice acting is concerned. An outstanding theatrical piece worthy of any exhibition performance weather it be in a video game, movie or theatrical play.
RATING: - ON FIRE
GAMEPLAY:
Ok, we've come to the meat of this review. You play as a female heroine named Nariko for about 5/6th of the game and you follow her through her persuit in the game's story line which I've already stated that I found stella.
You'll also get to play as another character named Kai for a good chunk of the game as this character has her own missions. The character also has a very different and intriguing gameplay mechanic to Nariko called "TWING TWANG" and I must say both it and the character are indeed very very charming. The two characters have a bond that you'll follow and discover more of through the game and they are very well used in the story plot.
This game is at it's heart in the hack 'n slash genre but what's impressive about it is that the developers have added a new dimention to how the genre can be played thus infusing it with a much needed (and appreciated) depth in gameplay mechanics. One could play the game like a traditional hack 'n slasher and button mash like crazy, but that individual would be trully missing out on some very sweet gameplay.
The hack 'n slash gameplay - when played the way it's supposed to be - is very methodical and is based off of what your enemies throw at you. There are different "stances" that the character can go into that affects the way they execute their offensive and defence manuvres. It also has a tonne of combos you can choose from and are unlocked as your progress through the game. When played properly, the gameplay can feel very satisfying and it trully enriches your experience.
The other gameplay element - Twing Twang - is totally different and something I enjoyed alot and wanted more of but I'll let you discover what exactly Twing Twang actually is for yourself if/when you get to play the game.
The game is generally challenging and I found that I had to play the game the way it was meant to be played in Hell mode or I feel I certainly would not have been able to beat it if I went the traditional way of button mashing. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience with the game and found it loads of fun... especially Twing Twanging.
RATING: - HOT
REPLAYBILITY:
All in all, the gameplay is great but the game it's self doesn't have much in the way of replay value. There are only two modes in the game and no online or multiplayer component however, so the gameplay doesn't expand much after the single player. Playing through both modes of the game ran me about 15hrs or so and all of it dripping with quality.
The Hell mode is very challenging and kept me engaged for a long time but I did find that the unlockables in the game weren't neccessary at all seeing as you could download even more stuff, the actual game didn't have, off of the PSN store so it added nothing to the replay value.
RATING: - TWO THUMBS UP
VERDICT:
Though the replay value isn't high, it still is very good and the time spent with the game is absolute quality from start to finish. This is a great start to a new intellectual property and I for one welcome more of it in the future.
***RED HOT***
The PlayStation 3 may not have been the strongest generation for Sony, but there were still some diamonds in the rough that deserve a revisit as PS5 remasters.
Even if they could just remaster and put on PSVR2, some would still look great as VR titles and could do a whole lot to bolster the headset w these exclusives! I'd imagine the investment of reworking these titles into VR would be way less than building new games from the ground up, and they could be amazing experiences, and VR often makes flat games feel fresh again. The Resistance and Killzone games are particularly what I want to see!!
I played killzone 3 in 3d and it really changed the game per being immersive.
In vr, that would be even more awesome.
Funny you mention that... my son wanted to play some PS3 games in 3d on my PS tv and he was blown away by how good KZ3 was. It really was a great addition to the game. Im surprised there have not been more 3d games from that era being ported to the PSVR/VR2.
resistance 1-3, killzone 1-3, uncharted 1-3, uncharted golden abyss, folklore, socom 4 , motorstorm, twisted metal, MAG, heavenly sword
Killzone 2+3
Sly Thieves in Time
Crack in Time
God of War Ascension
Motorstorm
Modnation racer
Infamous 1+2
Killzone trilogy in VR would be amazing bonus points if they offer shadow fall.
There was a psvr1 Killzone project that supermassive was working on at one stage which wasn't up to scratch and Sony brand it back in house I was hoping we would see that on psvr2 eventually.
Personally I'd love to see some more love or acknowledgement of psvr2 from Sony in general it was a expensive headset and Sony barely acknowledge it's existence
The amount of work needed to remaster these games wouldn't be beneficial on a financial and business sense.. MGS4 would probably be the best bet as it would need the least amount of work!
The time is perfect for a resistance fall of man game campaign coop multiplayer
The resistance series is str8 trash to me. Socom 3 I would welcome. Or killzone MP.
Resistance was ok but Warhawk and Starhawk was better and kept me coming back for almost a decade of fun and petty revenge on the loud mouth unskilled players 🤣
Edit I loved capture the flag dropping the pot on the flag carrier was extremely satisfying as well as transforming your plane in bot form and stumping them to death 😱
In this interview, we will delve into the creative process of David Brochard. Behind the scenes with concept artist David Brochard, showcasing his creative process in gaming industry from Call of Duty to Dark Souls 3 and Star Citizen. Discover how his passion & skills bring immersive worlds to life.
Grab your katana, and slice your way through this list featuring the best hack and slash games the PlayStation 3 had to offer.
Dante's inferno... an excellent GoW inspired game. So sad the sequels will never be.
I recall enjoying it well enough at the time, but it wasn't a patch on God of War 3 which came out around the same time I think.
I own it and fired it up on my PS3 about 6 months ago and time hadn't been particularly kind to it although it still very much nailed the atmosphere and it is a cool as he'll setting and universe.
Dante's Inferno needs the GOW treatment. No cut camera, with a real hellish depiction of the 9 circles and a story as dark and as serious would be amazing.
Still pretty amazing there was a PSP version that was actually pretty good. I remember playing it 10 years ago. I had the PS3 version when it first came out and loved it.
Yup, I remember being blown away with Heavenly Sword. I remember holding out hope that they would go back and add trophy support as a incentive to go back and replay the game, but I don't think they ever did?
I couldn't beat the final boss though! Spent several days trying but eventually gave up, lol. Still enjoyed it though.
heavenly sword was such a short, but amazing game. that game should be prime material to be made into a download only remaster.
I really enjoyed Castlevania, but struggled to get into it again reattempting it a few years back. I still think it does another of things well; story, presentation, level varietily and art style at least. Gameplay maybe has not stood test of time unfortunately which makes it a chore to get through.
I don’t think there is any way this game deserves a 9. The production values are top notch, but there are just too many issues. Boss battles are horribly simple, there is a massive lack of environments, the game is very short, not a huge variety in enemies, there are camera issues.