Game reviews: Heavenly Sword – 065

First off, it must be said that Heavenly Sword is pretty – very pretty. One can quickly see why this epic new title has become something of a poster child for the PS3 and its impressive processing abilities. Developer Ninja Theory, with help from Wellington’s own Weta Studios, has created a deep, rich environment in which you assume the role of Nariko, a predictably super-attractive, yet battle-hardened and decidedly well-endowed death machine, hellbent on revenge. As the game’s title suggests, Nariko possesses the ‘Heavenly Sword’, a weapon that allows for some of the most vicious button-mashing combos we have yet seen. Enemy-levelling monster attacks aside, the player is also able to throw objects and occasionally shoot weapons, controlling their flight path using the six-axis controller system, which is fantastic. All this carnage is great fun, but it truly is the incredibly immersive game play, the rich environments and the absolutely outstanding character performances from the likes of Andy Serkis (that’s Gollum to you and me) that make this game what it is. Although somewhat confusing to begin with, game play quickly picks up and you are suddenly engrossed in what is essentially an interactive and suitably epic animated film.  We certainly like where Ninja Theory is going with Heavenly Sword.

The idea of a film that the viewer is directly involved in definitely appeals – we just wish it was longer, as without multiplayer options the amount of time you can spend with this game is somewhat limited.

Peter Kelly