130°

Resolution: Heavenly Sword retrospective

Resolution writes: "It's representative of what games seem to be evolving into: works of art. Few other titles provide the player with such beautifully crafted storytelling, presentation and entertainment. Still one of the strongest games on the PS3, Heavenly Sword is a true Hollywood blockbuster, in game form."

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resolution-magazine.co.uk

D81 - contributor
Published: 126 days 15 hours ago | Article | PlayStation 3

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40cal - 126 days 16 hours ago

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1 - If any of you!

Have not played this yet, I think that you need to. Hell you all need to run out a buy this bad boy so that they can start work on a second game.

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Pennywise - 126 days 15 hours ago

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1.1 -

Agree'd 110%

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FunAndGun - 126 days 13 hours ago

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1.2 - so true

If this game would have came out this year, I think it would have been a big hit. The problem was it released so early in the PS3 lifecycle and there wasn't much love for the PS3 in 2007.

Great game regardless, a sequel would be awesome.

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Jaces - 126 days 10 hours ago

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1.3 -

Funny I found this article cause I was just playing it like 10 minutes ago.

AND, this is my first play through and it is an Amazing game!!

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InfectedDK - 126 days 10 hours ago

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1.4 -

> I want Heavenly Sword 2 <

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talltony - 126 days 9 hours ago

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1.5 - For real this game

is severely underrated. I mean it really is a excellent game with excellent story telling and voice acting. Also has my favorite final boss fight to date.

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Elimin8 - 126 days 9 hours ago

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1.6 - Ha

Talk about a diamond in the rough.... Too bad there isn't any trophies for it though... Can't wait for the sequel, providing they make it... I liked Kai, hopefully the story continues where the first one left off...

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LazyDevs - 126 days 9 hours ago

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1.7 -

Yeah awesome game, the story progress was great. Combat reminds me exactly like some other game....hmmmmm....what game was it.

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IdleLeeSiuLung - 126 days 9 hours ago

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1.8 -

Personally I think this game was overrated. Was it a decent game? Sure, but it was the production value that made it a good game, not game play. Game play wise it had some fun aspects, but among other things choppy frame rate, button mashing game play and lack of good controls severely hampered this game.

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Tapewurm - 126 days 9 hours ago

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1.9 - @ IdleLee-IWouldntKnowAGoodGameIfItBitMeInTheAss-SiuLung

IdleLee-IWouldntKnowAGoodGameI fItBitMeInTheAss-SiuLung Wrote:

"1.8 -
Personally I think this game was overrated. Was it a decent game? Sure, but it was the production value that made it a good game, not game play. Game play wise it had some fun aspects, but among other things choppy frame rate, button mashing game play and lack of good controls severely hampered this game."
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My Reply:

Choppy Framerate....Nope, Button Mashing game.......Definitely Nope (that is if you can fathom the combat mechanic and use it as intended...not an easy task for the mouth breathing crowd.) and lack of good controls.....Uuuuhhhhh... How's about Noooooooooooooooo..... It is obvious either 1.) you didn't play the game -OR- 2.) you played it like a button masher and are have no clue.

This game is beautiful to see in action and if in the hands of a competent player that understands the ins and outs of the controls, it is simply amazing to watch..... the story is top notch and well deserving of a sequal.......... too bad it may never happen.

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GrandTheftStreetcar - 126 days 7 hours ago

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1.10 - @IdleLeeSiuLung

Button mashing can get you through for a while, but you can't pass some boss fights, where you need to execute specific combos and there are so many of them.

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DaTruth - 126 days 7 hours ago

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1.11 - @Idle lee

360 fanboys need not apply!

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JoySticksFTW - 126 days 7 hours ago

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1.12 - Dammit!! I saw Heavenly Sword, and I was like "They coming out with HS 2?!?!?! Yes!!!!!"

But, no. Denied... :(

man, we really need a sequel

EDIT:

Button-mashing in HS?

Not when you learn how to counter hits with timing and selecting the correct fighting stance

DOUBLE-EDIT:

"It was no gem, it was an above mediocre game that was once again hyped up to oblivion by the fanboys (shame on me for listening) that is being continued here it seems"

@ Below

How about we liked it, you didn't, and just leave it at that? The game's like GoW jr with a cool story and great acting.

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IdleLeeSiuLung - 126 days 7 hours ago

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1.13 -

I guess I expected a backlash from all the Sony fanboys here, but I bought this game during the $20 sale at amazon last November I think. It was no gem, it was an above mediocre game that was once again hyped up to oblivion by the fanboys (shame on me for listening) that is being continued here it seems.

The game definitely has frame rate issues, do a Google search and you will find other experiencing the same. From what I remember only the last boss had a combos you had to execute to beat him and once you figure it out it was cake! No challenge at all.

The controls was not very responsive at all. Now I might unfairly judge it against games like NG2, but the controls were incredibly slow and sluggish (even when accounting for the weapons).

The whole game was a choppy and repetitive experience. I stand by my earlier comment and think the production value was good, but the game play should have been considerably refined.

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GameForFame - 126 days 6 hours ago

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1.14 - Agreed

I was late to the HS party but when I played it I thoroughly enjoyed it. Same happened with Uncharted. I know HS wasn't as "successful" but in both cases I hated myself for missing these games. I know a bunch of people who were in the same boat as myself, maybe that initial attraction wasn't there - but after we got a taste we realized what we were missing.

Kind of a bummer Heavenly Sword didn't make a big impact, but it's not a forgotten title either. Besides, that b*tch is HAWT!

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Darrius Cole - 126 days 6 hours ago

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1.15 -

In no way did this game have a choppy frame-rate. This game had only three small flaws.

1. It had 2 or 3 load times in odd places, as though Ninja Theory had not mastered the art of seemlessly switching to and out of in game engine cut-scenes.

2. It was too easy or the first play-through.

3. It was too short.

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aftrdark21 - 126 days 5 hours ago

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1.16 - Great game indeed

Highly underrated. One of the best games for PS3 this gen. I only wish it hadn't came out when PS3 bashing was "in". I am still hoping for a sequel. It needs to happen.

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kewlkat007 - 126 days 4 hours ago

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1.17 - If Ps3 gamers actually went out and bought this game

there would be more incentive for a sequel...

The developer of this game seems like they were ruffled by Sony but their next game will be multi-plat.

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JBaby343 - 126 days 3 hours ago

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1.18 - I Wish People Would Have Bought This Game When It Came Out

I also wish the media and stupid fanboys wouldn't have ripped into it to no end exaggerating every little flaw. This was a great game and I have no regrets about getting it. It's a shame it wasn't recognized for what it is. Still the most cinematic game I've played that connected on an emotional level no other game has.

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Gamertags - 124 days 14 hours ago

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1.19 - So So

I recommend you rent this before you buy it. Read the reviews of this game when it came out by trusted sources.

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sirbigam - 126 days 15 hours ago

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2 - These Statement call for a green light.

Guess it's time to make a movie.

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KnaveX - 126 days 8 hours ago

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2.1 -

so many game movies @_@ i hope some of em are good, they cant screw up uncharted, that would all for murder.

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badz149 - 126 days 4 hours ago

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2.2 - I somewhat agree

HS for me is already a movie in game form! the acting especially the bad guys are almost excellent! the face expression and everything was what dragging me into the game! I fvcking hate those villains when they talk and that's really good! this game deserves a sequel!

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ToastMan018 - 126 days 14 hours ago

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3 -

absolutely loved this game and still have it in my collection... hopefully at one point sony will come back to this game and create a sequel for it.. they do own the ip so they can always get another studio to make it

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funkycoldmedina - 126 days 11 hours ago

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4 -

HS was a great game experience similar to MGS4 in terms of story telling. HS's gameplay was good but felt shallow overall. No items, no inventory, nothing to collect (armor sets, weapons, etc.) other than rush to the next cutscene similar to old arcade beat'em up games like Double Dragon, Final Fight, Altered Beast, etc. The formula just doesn't offer much excitement when compared to other similar console games like DMC series, NGS or GoW (Never got into this series).

I think HS was a beautiful game even by today's standards. Nariko's model was gorgeous and I hope Sony gives it a much needed sequel but with additional gameplay elements. Personally, I thought the action was good enough but really enjoyed the sixth-axis implementation segments (Kai's arrow shooting, canon balls, etc.). Still have it in my collection and waiting to do another playthrough eventually.

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spunnups - 126 days 8 hours ago

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4.1 -

Well said. It is a great game with an incredible story. The use of the six axis is perfect and to this day is still has the second best use of it behind Folklore. But as good as it was, it lacks depth. There were no items to collect or armor sets to wear. The game still deserves a sequel no doubt about that.

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gamingisnotacrime - 126 days 8 hours ago

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4.2 -

This game uses the six axis so perfectly one wonders why other games dont follow a similar pattern, it feel right (like flower or flow, it just works)

Heavenly Sword 2 would be a 1st day buy for me, but with GoW 3 it may not happen in the near future if at all

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DFogz - 126 days 10 hours ago

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5 -

Heavenly Sword was a wonderful if underrated game. The connection to all of the characters was outstanding. The voice work for this game is just amazing, especially in King Bohen, Kai, and Flying Fox (my favorite)
If Sony doesn't make a sequel they'll be missing out on a great opportunity, and a lot a gamers will have to miss out on a potentially great series that could stand right up there with the likes of God of War and Uncharted.

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BlackTar187 - 126 days 9 hours ago

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6 - This game was great

every time a article pops up i have to go play it again its short enough to do so the arrows and cannonballs were fricken awesome. The game was sick as F add some stuff like stated above and you got yourself a another great franchise.

PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEmake a part 2

the character were so in reach of caring that i kinda got choked up sometimes.

what was the girl saying Twing Twang if thats it as simple as that was it brought alot of emotion to the character for the player.

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saimcheeda - 126 days 9 hours ago

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7 - Whenever i look

at nariko...i realise i need to get laid

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KnaveX - 126 days 8 hours ago

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7.1 -

lol, i was in love with the cgi model from the commercial.

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Marceles - 126 days 8 hours ago

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7.2 -

lol I hate to admit it but yeah...that CGI model was sexy. The look she gives after she fights a few enemies and the camera zooms back to show her surrounded, hot.

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DaTruth - 126 days 7 hours ago

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7.3 -

One problem with Sony marketing is that they show CGI a lot when they could blow people away with the actual in-game graphics. Uncharted looks better than the CGI commercial and Killzone had you thinking it was CGI. Infamous was also a bad use of CGI.

They need to show gameplay not CGI. Sometimes, these commercials are all a person will see of the game and end up, not ever seeing the gameplay.

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Figboy - 126 days 9 hours ago

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8 - Heavenly Sword was a truly fantastic game,

and the media RAPED it, bent it over, and RAPED it AGAIN, just because it was exclusive to the Playstation 3 in the dark year of 2007.

it was truly a shameful time to be a gamer back in 2007, or at least, be a Playstation 3 fan, because the system could do no right, even when it DID do something right (ie, Heavenly Sword, Resistance, Warhawk, Folklore, Ratchet and Clank Future: ToD, Uncharted: Drake's Fortune).

i still play Heavenly Sword to this day because it is one of the most enjoyable next generation action/adventure games out at the moment.

i can't see how anyone who was a fan of God of War, Ninja Gaiden (Xbox versions and the PS3 Sigma versions), and Devil May Cry wouldn't enjoy Heavenly Sword.

to this day, it still features the best facial animation and motion capture i've seen in a game (even Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, which featured excellent animation).

i think, when all is said and done, it will go down as the most underrated video game this generation.

it was absolutely ripped apart in reviews for things that other games in it's genre (ie, God of War, Ninja Gaiden, Devil May Cry) were praised for, or the complaints were negligible to the overall games quality.

and for the record, the game was 9 hours first playthrough, not 5, like the reviewers who rush to complete games for deadlines said it was.

the visuals, the characters, the story, the combat was all wonderful, even if it wasn't perfect.

i can go on and on about the injustice the gaming media did to Heavenly Sword, but i'll stop here. if it was released NOW, and if it wasn't exclusive to the PS3, it would be considered one of the best new IPs of the generation. sadly, Heavenly Sword fans won't be getting a sequel, even though the game eventually went on to sell a million units, i believe.

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DaTruth - 126 days 7 hours ago

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8.1 -

It was a different game on the second play-through. I didn't really get the combat down until the second time. I didn't know it was possible to enjoy a game more the second time.

Blocking(countering),dodging, throwing and combos were all better once I got the hang of it.

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Figboy - 124 days 15 hours ago

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8.2 - i agree.

the more i play Heavenly Sword, the better i get.

i was just godly by my third or fourth playthrough. the enemy couldn't touch me. lol

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Aquarius - 126 days 8 hours ago

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9 -

As much as I would like a Heavenly Sword two, what is the most logical way to begin a HS2, since Nariko is dead and the sword doesn't actually give power you know.

Also a HS2 needs to be much more longer.

What stood out to be in HS was the motion capture and voice-acting. There was this point ( I think at the beginning ) that Nariko was sent back to the dead, she was by herself ( can't remember properly, played it two years ago ) she was sitting so close to the tv that I actually really thought she was speaking to me lol.

@ Figboy - HS was advertised though, that's what made me buy my PS3 and Uncharted's commercial too. "a console that can think for itself"

@ spunnups-lol, have you played Folklore.

HS had a beautiful ending but sad :(

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DFogz - 126 days 8 hours ago

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9.1 -

I remember a while back when there was some small talk about an HS2 that it would focus on Kai, seeing as how Nariko is dead

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GiantEnemyCrab - 126 days 8 hours ago

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10 -

Yes, HS is a great game and the ending is epic! The sixaxis stuff was frustrating but not too bad.

I guess now that Ninja Theory are going multiplatform 360 gamers can enjoy there talent as well.

And to think MS turned down Heavenly Sword when Ninja Theory offered it to them first. . But would say yes to something like Ninja Blade.

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divideby0 - 126 days 8 hours ago

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11 -

one of my fav. games... the graphics, cinema and story telling were top notch and for me one of the best in the present generation..motion controls worked great...the characters have to be the best newest ones we seen in some time..

some of the bashers were to into "there is not jump button" and their narrow focus really let them miss out on this great game

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Marceles - 126 days 8 hours ago

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11.1 -

Yeah seriously anything to hate on the game. "Buh buh she has chains like God of War? NOT ORIGINAL! FLOP!" "SHE CANT JUMP?? HAHAH FLOP!"

Definitely the most underrated game on PS3. I still play it to this day, it's good enough to not even need trophies for replay value. The only problem was, which is with any other epic game someone can't get enough of, is I wish it was longer.

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funkycoldmedina - 126 days 7 hours ago

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12 -

I hope Sony adds Trophies to HS similar to UC so all the trophy hunters will give it a chance. I would like to think it helped UC somewhat, maybe. HS production value was high quality stuff from great voice acting, cutscenes, body expressions and graphics. I hope Sony revisits the idea of a sequel.

I agree with all the posters on here that HS is highly under-rated and severely bashed by gaming media most likely due to it's exclusivity to PS3. To me it one was of the few first true this new generation gaming experience for PS3.

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Gambit07 - 126 days 5 hours ago

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13 -

Oddly, I fell in love with Kai rather then Nariko.

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Substance - 126 days 4 hours ago

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14 -

Heavenly Sword is one of my favorite PS3 games to date. Everything about it was top notch, if you can get over the long loading screen.

I read many reviews that docked points for the poor use of the sixaxis motion controls in this game, but I thought the motion controls were PERFECT. I loved shooting arrows with Kai and using the sixaxis to do headshots and crotchshots. Unbelievable fun! These reviewers need to be better gamers sometimes and learn how to control the game before they give a final verdict.

Love this game.

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Holeran - 126 days 4 hours ago

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15 - This game is still beautiful 2 years+ later.

All of the (this game has frame rate issues) (this game was overrated) stuff needs to come to rest and get back down to reality. Is it the best game ever? no. Does it compete with the best games consoles have to offer? Probably not. But to say it was overrated is ludicrous. This game is gorgeous 2+ years after its release even by todays standards and the gameplay if you take the time to learn it is fantastic.

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IWentBrokeForGaming - 126 days ago

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16 - I still have this game, I quit playing cause I couldn't get passed the 3rd wave of Bohan

to be honest I didn't like how it was such a rip of GOW in a lot of its gameplay ways, it was definatley fun at the time...

but just give me GOW3!!!

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idontcare - 125 days 22 hours ago

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17 -

Heavenly Sword is amazing!!!

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