IGN UK reviews Heavenly Sword

fruitsofherwomb · 08-24-2007, 06:43 AM

Closing Comments
So, all that in mind, is Heavenly Sword a bad game? No, it’s not – although it certainly seems that someone, somewhere, forgot to ensure they were piling those glorious peripheral trimmings on a game worthy of all that Sony gold. Combat is undoubtedly the title’s strength and offers some immensely satisfying thrills when you actually get your hands on your sword. Projectile combat, too, is entertaining in its own right – although nowhere near enough to carry such lengthy sequences as is demanded here. What you’re paying for then with Heavenly Sword is the grandiose spectacle, the overblown production values and the chance to show just what your PS3’s capable of when given the chance. It’s a benchmark in presentation for console gaming and the lavishness of the show might well be enough for you to overcome the game’s significant failings. There’s definitely some kind of fun to be had here – albeit of the one-engaged brain cell variety – but make no mistake: Heavenly Sword takes the age-old mantra of style over substance and drags it kicking and screaming into the next generation.

IGN UK Ratings for Heavenly Sword (PS3)
Rating Description
out of 10 click here for ratings guide
9.0 Presentation
Superficially at least, Heavenly Sword is an almost impeccable display of sheer, unrestrained talent.
9.0 Graphics
Minor framerate and tearing issues aside, Heavenly Sword is an absolute tour de force of visual splendour.
8.5 Sound
Voice acting, effects work and soundtrack hit all the rights buttons with gusto, although occassional dodgy level mixing hurts.
6.0 Gameplay
As solid as its component parts are, poor design decisions and awful structure mean they never make for a cohesive, satisfying whole.
6.0 Lasting Appeal
Despite the wealth of combos and extras to unlock, you'll be constantly battling with tedium on subsequent play-throughs.
7.0
Decent OVERALL
(out of 10 / not an average)

Alexander · 08-24-2007, 08:09 AM

go ps3

darren · 08-24-2007, 08:23 AM

another killer AP bites the dust

first lair now this ..

... i rachet is out in Oct so fingers crossed there will be finally something to play on my ps3 .. other than hot shots golf which is the PSP verison in HD ... stil fun though .

Diavle · 08-24-2007, 11:24 AM

Not saying HS is good since I have only seen vids but IGN is the last place I would trust, for beat-em-ups in particular.

Reality · 08-24-2007, 11:42 AM

I concur. They rated those LotR games pretty highly and I found those to be garbage.

darren · 08-24-2007, 02:01 PM

after playing the demo to death it is was quite clear this game was going to be all style and no substance .. and this review and the 6/10 Edge game it tend to suggest the same ..i mean for starts there is auto blocking and no jump

Diavle · 08-24-2007, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reality

I concur. They rated those LotR games pretty highly and I found those to be garbage.

GoW2 got a 9.7, enough said.

Quote:

Originally Posted by darren316

i mean for starts there is auto blocking

Doesn't hurt Tekken.

Quote:

and no jump

God Hand says hi.

darren · 08-24-2007, 02:28 PM

auto block sux ass as does Tekken .. so does no jump in a fighting game like this .. it would be like NG having no jump .. crap ...

like i said having played it all style no substance

justin_credible · 08-24-2007, 02:40 PM

The review started with closing comments. Is that a UK thing or something? I thought closing comments were usually at the end but what do I know?

Diavle · 08-24-2007, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darren316

auto block sux ass as does Tekken .. so does no jump in a fighting game like this .. it would be like NG having no jump .. crap ...

like i said having played it all style no substance

Not liking Tekken is not the issue here, I have never heard complaints about the auto-block.

And have you played God Hand? I'm saying this because the concept was alien to me before it, but after playing it I really don't care for jumping in beat-em-ups at all.

Alexander · 08-24-2007, 04:13 PM

I loved God Hand but I also love jumping.

So I guess that means I hate you both = (

Kiuju2k · 08-24-2007, 04:15 PM

with all that rip roaring high flying action there is no jump? weird.

Dr. Bombay · 08-24-2007, 04:49 PM

Edge gave it a 6/10.

So...yeah. Looks like I'm not buying a PS3 until late next year.

Tavish · 08-24-2007, 06:22 PM

So whats left... Little Big Planet and MGS4?

I'm beginning to think that the Wii lineup isn't so weak after all.

Kiuju2k · 08-24-2007, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiuju2k

with all that rip roaring high flying action there is no jump? weird.

What he said.

08-24-2007, 06:43 AM	#1
fruitsofherwomb False Orders Begone Join Date: May 2006 Location: Dezolis Posts: 2,053	IGN UK reviews Heavenly Sword Closing Comments So, all that in mind, is Heavenly Sword a bad game? No, it’s not – although it certainly seems that someone, somewhere, forgot to ensure they were piling those glorious peripheral trimmings on a game worthy of all that Sony gold. Combat is undoubtedly the title’s strength and offers some immensely satisfying thrills when you actually get your hands on your sword. Projectile combat, too, is entertaining in its own right – although nowhere near enough to carry such lengthy sequences as is demanded here. What you’re paying for then with Heavenly Sword is the grandiose spectacle, the overblown production values and the chance to show just what your PS3’s capable of when given the chance. It’s a benchmark in presentation for console gaming and the lavishness of the show might well be enough for you to overcome the game’s significant failings. There’s definitely some kind of fun to be had here – albeit of the one-engaged brain cell variety – but make no mistake: Heavenly Sword takes the age-old mantra of style over substance and drags it kicking and screaming into the next generation. IGN UK Ratings for Heavenly Sword (PS3) Rating Description out of 10 click here for ratings guide 9.0 Presentation Superficially at least, Heavenly Sword is an almost impeccable display of sheer, unrestrained talent. 9.0 Graphics Minor framerate and tearing issues aside, Heavenly Sword is an absolute tour de force of visual splendour. 8.5 Sound Voice acting, effects work and soundtrack hit all the rights buttons with gusto, although occassional dodgy level mixing hurts. 6.0 Gameplay As solid as its component parts are, poor design decisions and awful structure mean they never make for a cohesive, satisfying whole. 6.0 Lasting Appeal Despite the wealth of combos and extras to unlock, you'll be constantly battling with tedium on subsequent play-throughs. 7.0 Decent OVERALL (out of 10 / not an average) __________________ ^ disregard that, I suck Cock.

08-24-2007, 08:23 AM	#3
darren ... lol Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ippy O Switch, UK Posts: 11,826	another killer AP bites the dust first lair now this .. ... i rachet is out in Oct so fingers crossed there will be finally something to play on my ps3 .. other than hot shots golf which is the PSP verison in HD ... stil fun though . __________________ Currently playing : Mass Effect 3 Playing next : Tales of the Abyss Waiting on : Diablo 3 XBL Herr Lip Steam Butters' Bottom Bitch (http://steamcommunity.com/id/buttersbottombitch)

08-24-2007, 11:42 AM	#5
Reality Sin and Punishment Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 14,153	I concur. They rated those LotR games pretty highly and I found those to be garbage. __________________ Outpostnine is that 1%.

08-24-2007, 02:01 PM	#6
darren ... lol Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ippy O Switch, UK Posts: 11,826	after playing the demo to death it is was quite clear this game was going to be all style and no substance .. and this review and the 6/10 Edge game it tend to suggest the same ..i mean for starts there is auto blocking and no jump __________________ Currently playing : Mass Effect 3 Playing next : Tales of the Abyss Waiting on : Diablo 3 XBL Herr Lip Steam Butters' Bottom Bitch (http://steamcommunity.com/id/buttersbottombitch) Last edited by darren; 08-24-2007 at 02:12 PM.

08-24-2007, 02:28 PM	#8
darren ... lol Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ippy O Switch, UK Posts: 11,826	auto block sux ass as does Tekken .. so does no jump in a fighting game like this .. it would be like NG having no jump .. crap ... like i said having played it all style no substance __________________ Currently playing : Mass Effect 3 Playing next : Tales of the Abyss Waiting on : Diablo 3 XBL Herr Lip Steam Butters' Bottom Bitch (http://steamcommunity.com/id/buttersbottombitch)

08-24-2007, 08:09 AM	#2
Alexander I speak with codes. Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,239	go ps3

08-24-2007, 11:24 AM	#4
Diavle Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,339	Not saying HS is good since I have only seen vids but IGN is the last place I would trust, for beat-em-ups in particular.

08-24-2007, 02:40 PM	#9
justin_credible Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 6,271	The review started with closing comments. Is that a UK thing or something? I thought closing comments were usually at the end but what do I know?

08-24-2007, 04:13 PM	#11
Alexander I speak with codes. Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,239	I loved God Hand but I also love jumping. So I guess that means I hate you both = (

08-24-2007, 04:15 PM	#12
Kiuju2k Oh no! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Riverside, california Posts: 4,910	with all that rip roaring high flying action there is no jump? weird. __________________ "When life gives you shit. Make shit juice." Zechin

08-24-2007, 04:49 PM	#13
Dr. Bombay ificouldjustbemorehuman Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: The Nexus Between Jersey and NYC Posts: 9,208	Edge gave it a 6/10. So...yeah. Looks like I'm not buying a PS3 until late next year. __________________ ~There's a Door Here, But It Will Not Break~ ~There's a Stone There, But It Won't Remain~ ~Up There's a Heaven Now, But It Will Not Wait~ ~And The Lies There, The Scent Of It, Just Too Much~ ~So Should You~ ~Sow It Once and Make It Grow, The Sweet Clematis~ ~Let It Flower, and Paint it All Of The Colors Old~ Instantly Things Fall and Fade, Return to Silence~ ~Why Oh Why, Why Does It All Feel So Sorrowful?~ ~Dreams Of What Is Real~

08-24-2007, 06:22 PM	#14
Tavish Reality is overrated. Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: San Francisco Posts: 452	So whats left... Little Big Planet and MGS4? I'm beginning to think that the Wii lineup isn't so weak after all.

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