Heavenly Sword (PS3)

Looks like I am the first person to actually review the game here rather than the demo. Oh well, here it goes.
You have probably read all the reviews saying that it is short. And it is. About 5 or 6 hours gaming for an experienced gamer. My girlfriend is on 9 hours and not finished it yet though. But the shortness of this title should not put you off. I myself usually hate short games. I love the final fantasy series with their sprawling 100 hours+ games. But Heavenly Sword is something special and here's why.

It is fun. I mean not just normal slog through enemies, killing lots of things fun, but really, honestly enjoyable. There wasnt a single moment I did't enjoy in this game. It is continuous action with an amazing story that just keeps giving more and more. The gameplay is fantastic with fluid movements and amazing combos to fit into the three different stances that you fight in. Think God of War but without the tedium of continually annoying enemies and with two different ways of fighting added on. It is continually fresh and exciting as you move between fighting against an entire army with your sword (it's crazy, you slaughter them. Over 1000 on screen) and firing off cannonballs or arrows using the motion sensor on the Sixaxis to guide them to their targets.

The graphics are better than anything I have ever seen. From the lush waterfalls in the backgrounds to the minute wrinkles on evil king Bohan's face (Andy Serkis). The story is pretty impressive to with a proper epic climax, some amazing acting and even a couple of twists along the way. It is a tour de force all round and a joy to play and watch with motion capture being used to capture every expression on characters faces. It truly has to be seen to be believed. There is replay value if you want to get the artwork but I can assure you as soon as you finish it you will want to pick it up again. Maybe not quite worth the price of a full game despite its brilliance, simply because of the length. I managed to trade in a game and get it at Blockbuster for £8.99 so I am incredibly happy.

I will let other people argue about the lack of a jump button(really not needed in this game) or the fact that it is very linear with no subquests or items to find, but this game is an epic story from start to finish and its simplicity works in its favour. If you want to see what next gen is all about, play this game. It is hugely better than any other single player game out there for the PS3 and I finally have no doubts about buying the console. But if you can't find it cheap now wait a couple of months and buy it then. I can assure you that for at least five hours you wont regret it.

heavenly sword is a great game, the graphics are beautiful and the gameplay is great. you play nariko a girl who is part of a clan who protect the heavenly sword from power hungry humans - there was a profercy that a man would be born and take back the sword and make peace but instead a girl was born. you play two characters - Nariko and Kye, Nariko uses the sword and an throw objects but Kye uses arrows and is more of a sniper. A great touch to the game is that when you fire and arrow you can use the wireless controller to move your arrows through the air - a great trick once masterd.

overall this game is great - try the demo see for your self , then buy the game :)

I don't normally bother with reviews, but seeing this game get some poor reports has inspired me to write this.
This is probably the most enjoyable game I can remember playing. Bioshock on the 360 is great in its own way, but it cannot compete with the story here.
Movie like, stunning and great gameplay. Downside is of course its shortness (did all the movie's use up the disc space?) and it's a tad easy until the end guy - but once completed there is a hell mode to play.
I'd put this on par with Gears of War as the best of Next Gen so far. Gears of war kicks this games arse with the multiplayer / online element but for story and a great way to spend 6-8 hours at least - enjoy!
4.5 out of 5.