Heavenly Sword - Success or Flop?

Sony have been selling Heavenly Sword as a stunning next gen game since day one, so now that it is upon us we thought it only right to take a closer look.

Heavenly Sword is a epic action game in which the invading King (played by Andy Serkis) destroys the warrior clan that guards the Heavenly Sword, the clan leader's daughter, Nariko, takes up the sword in a desperate fight for survival, as she embarks on one last mission of vengeance against the King and his army before her life is finally and irreparably overtaken by the omnipotent Heavenly Sword.

[ktchong]

It has not even come out yet!

[Vojkan]

LOL EXACTLY

What is Flop? If one guy doesn't like it? Or if it sells less than 500k making game unprofitable?

Sure it is not God of War quality i think we all knew that long time ago(no one can beat Kratos;-) ) but this is great game and if 8.0-8.5 on average is bad than i rest my case and i give up!

[xxxxxxxxx]

FLOP FLOP FLOP FLOP !!!!!!!!

The game may be good, but that's the sound you will hear as I whack off to the game! LOL

[reaperxciv]

let us hope it will be AAA title.

[mike_mgoblue]

______________
Heavenly Sword is a game that deserves the poor ratings it is receiving. Ever since the demo has been available, two things became 100% clear about Heavenly Sword:

(1) Heavenly Sword has "Playable" in-game graphics that are disappointing compared to the "Non-Playable," cut-scene graphics that Sony had been showing off. People care about how good the graphics are when the game is being played much more than the cut-scene movie nonsense. And, the FACT is that Heavenly Sword is NOT impressive in the area of "Playable" in-game graphics.

(2) Heavenly Sword has "Button-Mashing," gameplay. There is literally no "Block," button in Heavenly Sword. If you try and react to the attacks of your enemies, you will end up DEAD. You are literally better off smashing buttons without taking the time to think about which buttons are being pressed. This is something that Edge and IGN both mentioned in their disappointing reviews.

Summary: There is no doubt about it; the fact of the matter is, Heavenly Sword is a game that has failed to live up to the hype. Heavenly Sword really is a BIG disappointment, and the FACT is that the reviews of very reliable sources prove that Heavenly Sword isn't anything special...it is too short, and it isn't fun.
_____________

Heavenly Sword has been rated by the reliable sources of IGN, IGN UK, and Edge.

IGN rated Heavenly Sword with a score of only 7 out of 10.

IGN UK also rated Heavenly Sword with a score of only 7 out of 10.

Edge rated Heavenly Sword with the very disappointing score of only 6 out of 10.

OBVIOUSLY, Heavenly Sword has ZERO chance of winning any awards this year.

Actually, even with scores of 60% and 70%, Heavenly Sword is doing slightly better than Warhawk and and Lair.

The Playstation 3 game called, "Lair," received an even worse rating than the ones that it had already been given!

EGM rated Lair with a score of only 5.5 out of 10. And in the October issue of PSM magazine, Lair receives a rating of only 5 out of 10.

That is a terribly disappointing review!

Lair is actually called, "A one-trick dragon," in the review.

To say that Lair is receiving "mixed reviews," is an understatement...Lair is a BIG disappointment!!!

*** But that isn't where the disappointment ends.

Warhawk ended up being a disappointment in the reviews. Warhawk was rated only a 6.5 out of 10 by PSM magazine. Warhawk is called, "A third person shooter that never gets off the ground."

This is NOT a surprise, because Warhawk REQUIRES at least two people to play, and there is NO MODE where Bots can be used in the place of people!!! THAT SUCKS!!!

In Warhawk, the final version of the game ended up where machine guns from people on the ground can actually shoot down the Warhawk... That obviously is NOT good!!! And men on the ground with rocket launchers can shoot the Warhawk out of the sky in one shot... That obviously is NOT fun!!! That is why Warhawk is rated so poorly with a score of only 6.5 out of 10.

[Pika-pie]

@Mike

Bloooody hell, let the games come out first. The public will decide if its HOT or NOT.

[junk56]

@ Mike

lmfao i love your comments. you havent played any of the games especially warhawk. LOL machine guns that can shoot down warhawks MAKES IT A BAD GAME OMG

hahah i can't say anymore to you other than you're probably the biggest idiot who thinks he's smart.

[nurayi]

This site is going to see a nice spike because of this, whether the story was intended to generate hits or not.

@ mike
it appears we've found the yin to nasim's yang.

you both should spend more time reflecting on your own opinions than trying to force your views onto others. although its nothing new to n4g. carry on

[snakeater3]

may i kindly ask what is your agenda around here? i may agree or disagree as to whether lair , hs or warhawk are great, good or piss poor, but your bashing seems like an xbox fanboy trying to justify the fact that mom wont buy him that piece of expensive equipment which has stellar lineup of games coming in this holiday season and b3yond. please prove me wrong and save ur dignity from the unforgiving fanboys on this site.

[Odion]

You know you look like a GIANT tool when you say B3yond

[VaeVictus]

Just so you guys know, Mike_mgoblue is quite possibly the worst fanboy you'll ever encounter. You'd be best served to put him on ignore and never see his comments b/c it will always be the same. He's been banned and labelled a spammer on one site and frequents many other sites under many "admitted aliases" to spew his retarded rhetoric. Disregard him. He'll tell you that Perfect Dark Zero will have better gameplay and graphics that MGS4 or Killzone 2, or that Hexic wouldn't be technically possible on the PS3.

[AliC]

It will only be known when the players themselves get a hold of the game.

[ktchong]

If someone does not have a PS3, and then how is he supposed to "get hold of the game himself" or "try the demo for himself"?

[Greysturm]

Friends or demo booths...

[ktchong]

and if "friends" do not have a PS3 or the game, or the demo booths do not have the game... then what?

Anyway, most people without a PS3 are not going out of their way and go through so much trouble just to try an "average" or "above average" game. That's too much hassle for a game.

Now, if they had read all the raving 9s and 10s about this game, then that would have been a good reason to actually go to look for a friend or booth that has a PS3 and the game to try it out for themselves.

People are not going to go through those hassles for an "okay" or "good but not spectacular" game. However, they would it only if they keep reading that the game is like... "this is video gaming history" or "this is the game of the year," (like BioShock and Gears of War,) then they would find a way to check it out even if they did not have the console. And, if they liked it enough, they would buy the console.

[ktchong]

At first, I was not interested in getting the console AT ALL. Then I had heard about Halo and all the rave reviews, and a friend invited me over to his place to play the game. Of course, I would not have accepted the invitation if I had not already heard so much about the game. I went to his place to play it, and I liked it, but I still did not want to buy a console for only one game.

Soon afterward, I heard about Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. After I read all the the rave reviews, I actually asked my friend if he had the game and if I could go to his place to try it out. Those two games sold me an Xbox.

Right now, Heavenly Sword and Lair are not doing the same thing for PS3. Even if some friend bought the game and invited me to try it out at his place, with the review scores those games have been getting, I will have to think about it - I would rather go out and have fun, or go home and watch some movies or play some Xbox 360 or Wii game.

[mighty_douche]

well you could always try buying one ya tight ass!

if all else fails, hang around a game shop with a basket ball bat, you can guess the rest....

[ktchong]

As I've said,

for me to buy a PS3, there has to be a number of spectacular PS3 exclusives (think Gears of War or BioShock) to convince me.

and if I don't already have a PS3, then I can't "try" Heavenly Sword -- and I certainly am not going to go out of my way to go through hassles (i.e., go look for someone or some place that has it or whatever) just to play some game that I already know has been getting only an overall "okay" review score.

[beavis4play]

using 5 posts to say you aren't buying a ps3 was stupid. and your rambling on about what games are good or bad is completely subjective. the games you mentioned(halo and KOTOR)did not do anything to make me want an xbox. i was too caught up with the great ps2 games. and i don't need others telling me what to buy. as far as ps3 and the 360- i played gears and bioshock on a friends xbox on single player (plus co-op on gears) and thought they were ok, but not great. they had some new takes on how games play that i liked but felt the games had weaknesses too. again, they didn't make me want a 360. but like you, my feelings are subjective based on what i want in a game. your belief that there have not been any good games on the ps3 is again not true.(you don't even have a ps3, so how would you know?) resistance, motorstorm and ninja gaiden sigma are all great exclusive games.so bottom line, you like the 360, not the ps3, so don't come across like some pseudo-games expert-because you aren't. your just another predjudiced fanboy.

[Violater]

"So from what we have seen, we were impressed and it left us in no doubt that no matter what the critics say, this game will sell big"

[SuperSaiyan4]

They aint got much else to look forward to so I guess they will buy it and it will be a sucess.

I own both consoles and am contemplating on whether to buy this or not as its rather close to HALO 3 which will take over the charts for months until Mass Effect another 360 only game.

If you only have a PS3 and since there aint much in the ways of games for that console and I mean exclusive stuff not them ports then what else? Might as well buy it.

I played the demo and thought it was ok nothing amazing, visuals were not that great, Blue Dragon blows it away graphics wise and gameplay beit they are 2 different games.

I thought HS was just a rip off the bigger and better God Of War.

[achira]

lol joke of the year: "blu dragon blows it away". lol, can someone be more ignorant and more stupid ? let check your eyes monkey.

[power091999]

"Blue Dragon blows it away graphics wise"

I will respect your opinion here but:

The only reason I can think that you think these graphics are THAT good, is that your a DragonBallz fan. So in turn would enjoy the graphics in Blue Dragon.

Don't get me wrong, BD is a nice looking game but the animations are terrible. Heavenly Sword is just a beautiful game, but to say that it pales in comparison to BD?

I just don't know what to say to that.

[jay3]

Yeah, i was kinda with you until that Blue Dragon thing...

[SpenserTracy]

Grown men who are scared of the PS3 should go home to mommy and cry.

[SuperSaiyan4]

Sorry Blue Dragon DOES blow it away graphically, I have the game and have played the HS demo.

Oh and wait until Fable 2 comes out...

Oh and REAL gamers would have an Xbox 360 since thats the only platform to have all the top games.

If you only have a PS3 I feel sorry for you because its just a blu-ray player another soon to be flop.

[trane07]

What the hell does blue dragon even have to do with this title? Ask me that. And so far, the people besides ign who have rated heavenly sword have rated it higher than what blue dragon got.

Blue dragon and heavenly sword aren't even in the same genre so why the hell do you feel the need to compare other than for the sake of looking like some dumbass fanboy??

[iNcRiMiNaTi]

but that doesnt mean i agree with u...so said u have the blue dragon game and u compare it to a demo...thats not really smart..

and i downloaded the blue dragon demo from the marketplace, wasnt really that interesting, the only cool feature was u can choose to go into battle or use some shield that kills the enemy so they dont jump at you at starts the battle....maybe i could be wrong but i was judging a demo....so ill use ur logic here, from what i played in the demo, i can say blue dragon sucks...

[cr33ping_death]

complete and utter retardation. just how old are you? im going to send you a friend request just to see if you do have a ps3

[felidae]

i love me some Heavenly Sword. This game kicks so much A$$

[scarlett_rg]

They asked if anyone thinks it will be a system seller...

... and I'd have to say that no, I don't think so.

PS3 owners will scoop this up. But I can't see a bunch of people running out to buy PS3s just to play this game. It will add to the appeal of owning a PS3, but they need more solid games to back it up before they'll have a true system selling library. One game just can't do it at this point.

[trane07]

It certainly does make the ps3 appeal a lot more, but as far as selling systems' who knows. My gamestop is hyping the game along with bioshock to no end.

[Keowrath]

Totally agree with you. I only own a PS3 of the latest generation and am MORE than happy with it so far but for the casual gamer it's too early to get a PS3. As you say, this will give current PS3-ers something to play but it's highly doubtful this will be a game that sells systems. I think it has the potential to move a few machines but nothing compared to the likes of a system seller like Halo (BTW I dislkie Halo just to make my feelings clear)

[the worst]

ps3 rules

[iNcRiMiNaTi]

i dont have a ps3, im more of a 360 gamer but from what ive seen and read it looks pretty good, its like a female god of war and GoW kicked ass...i dont think it'll be as good as GoW tho

[mightydog01]

Well we can see who's the 360 fanboys are. Its not out yet? And they are slaging it off.. well im getting it and alot of my mate's are as well.And there are games out for the ps3 so stop coming out with no game's it's getting old......PS FLOP that's what 360 fanboys wish so all they can do is CALL IT CRAP..EVEN IF IT IS AAA TITLE they smell fear everytime a new game coming out for ps3. And rightly so!!!!!!!

[acetw1n]

but after playing the demo,Im starting to regret my choice .I just wasn't impressed that much ,i was ecpecting more out of the quick time events,plus she dosent even jump,the character designs isn't special at all ,it looks nice but not nice enough for the long wait, i think i might just get assassins creed instead.

[Mike134nl]

How do you end up with 10 gb of sound files and a game of only 6 hours.
Was looking forward to this game but with only 6 hours ???

[trane07]

Tameem clarified that after ign made that bold statement. ALso Ign got their hands on a build of the complete chapter 2 of heavenly sword before they recieved their review build. Do you honestly think that they wouldn't be able to progress through the game any faster? Cmon now.

[Lex Luthor]

Very good game but not great. No replay value plus it's short, so its a rental for me. But the game isn't a flop, but it's not gonna set the world alight like bioshock has.

[ParaDise_LosT]

Gets thrown around more often then a prostitute....to the point that it almost holds no real meaning...Its sad really....
If every new 1st party game is gonna be called a tripple A
title....then that kind of kills everything that the title stands for...
'AAA' mean a game that comes around once in a decade...
not some game thats supported by the company....

Heavenly Sword...Warhawk...and maybe even Halo 3...
Those titles arn't ment to be 'AAA' Great I give them that...

But do they live to the standards of
Bioshock
Half Life 2
System Shock
and
LoZ:OT

I think not....
Bioshock is a proven 'AAA'
....HS?...no..

a 'AAA' is a benchmark to which all other games try to surpass...

[the worst]

warhawk rules

[lonestarmt]

I"m getting tired of this. The game isn't even out yet. Geez its so important for these ps3 games to be a success we are grilling them to death. Let the game come out and play for themselves.

[Keyser]

I agree, no one's bought one copy and they're asking if it's a success or a flop. It's not even FOR SALE!

I think people forget that MOST gamers aren't like up huddling on sites for every word about a certain game. What kid is going to walk by Lair or Heavenly Sword in their EB Games or Gamestop store and not want it?

Every kid is going to want both games so there you have it...it's a success.

[CRIMS0N_W0LF]

Graphics of Heavenly Sword are breath taking unlike Blue Dragon. Also gamers will get PC because you can play X360 titles more graphical and reliable + Mods and patches and free online. People who go with numbers will get a Wii

Also Bioshock I finished the game its overrated it deserve 8.5 not 10s. Its far from perfect. Story disappointing end boss easy and after finished once no reason to play it again. Thus having a short life. Reviewers are contradicting themselves

[trane07]

So far heavenly sword has gotten reviewed by 13-15 different gaming sites.

1 of them was a perfect 10
more than 7 of them were in the 9 score
and only two of the reviews were below the 8 score.

How the hell is that a dissapointment? Someone please ask me because Im DYING to know. Even egm of all people gave the game praise.

[THE_JUDGE]

a sucess but the second one even more so. I'm looking forward to this game and have been for a while. The demo was short and sweet so I have no complaints. I hope they add the ability to jump in the second one but its not a big issue. I'm really sold on the story though. Time will tell what it does sales wise.

[Pika-pie]

Dispite mixed reviews I am still looking forward to purchasing this game. I think it will be a success!

[lonestarmt]

did you not see the post a couple of comments up? The game is actually doing very well. Its like a game gets bad score with one reviewer then its mixed. This will be a sure fire hit.

[Rims]

LOL THIS SITE IS RUN BY A XBOT!

PROOF:
In the about section http://www.playthree.co.uk/... they are sister sited to this http://www.wonderwallweb.co...

spread the word!

[wotta]

This article isnt being degrading to the PS3 in anyway though??

p.s wonderwallweb is a multiplatform site, playthree is dedicated to playstation, why would a xbot go to that much trouble? most of the articles on there praise ps3.

[otherZinc]

This game doesnt look good at all, meaning: play mechanics are very basic & does absolutely nothing new.

It looks like a weak GOD OF WAR meets DYNASTY WARRIORS.

I think its going to sell horribly. If Im wrong it will sell over 500k 1st month because they are hyping the crap out of this game.

[pilotpistolpete]

This game could get 4s and 5s and still not be a flop. Not everyone with a ps3 looks at reviews, or even takes them seriously. People look at soome clips or the game (especially on ps store) and decide. Sony has put alot of media into this game wsuch as the anime and making of.

Some people have, what's called an "opinion" and "make their own choices". Meaning game scores don't affect sales all that much.

I cringe every time someone here says "I was gonna get this game, but now that it got this score, no". Jesus christ man, make up yoru own opinion about the game.

Name me yoru favorite game, I betcha it didn;t score 90's and 100's. I for one am a big Xenosaga fan. Loves the series. Average score : 7's and 8's. I hated Oblivion. Average scores: 9's and 10's.

Motorstorm sold way more than Oblivion, but scored lower.

Flop and mediocre scores don't go together.

[Keyser]

AMEN!!!

[prunchess]

I've played the demo and have to say that once i got over the button bashing and thought about the moves i was going to try, I started to enjoy it. I personally am looking forward to the release of this game.

This site is a bit weird though. Everyone was screaming about how good bioshock is and at first I was impressed but having played it now I just find it OK. Still it will be classed as a hit where as a FPS its just alright.

Heavenly Sword isn't released yet and someone is writing a sucess or flop article? I Smell something fishy and it aint bioshock.

[junk56]

who cares, the install base will rocket up when mgs4 and gt5 come out because most of the ps2 owners havent made the switch to next gen yet. the 360 is only selling in north america (america only dare i say) but everywhere aroudn the world ps3 is doing fine. the reason for the small install base is

1. no european christmas
2. lack of AAA titles (not even a year yet so we dont know)
3. expensive price point

by 08 there will be one european christmas and tons of AAA titles for the ps3. seriously, after halo, mass effect, and bioshock do their parts, sony will be selling ps3s a lot more than 360s.

[PimpHandHappy]

but im a so called fanboy so take that with a grain of salt!

I havent even played this game yet but i know im in store for some very cool looking scenes and some killer game play.

To the guy that said BD looks better! The only reason that kid is saying that is because that is the only new game besides bio shock the 360 has coming. You can all say Halo3 is new but you know its still Halo! You will have Mass Effect in Dec so im sure you will be a happy camper when that comes out! I will be playing Drakes around that time!

Im happy to play a god of war rip off so long as it has some things i like! I cant wait to play GOW3!

I cant wait to play MGS

I cant wait to play GTprolouge

I cant wait to play Socom

I cant wait to play Killzone

I cant wait to play Drakes

I cant wait to play Unreal

I cant wait to play Warhawk

I cant wait to play Lair

I cant wait to play HS

I cant wait to play around in Home

I cant wait to play Haze

I cant wait to play COD4

someone else conitune this for me and maybe u 360 guys make a list of games u cant wait for! Try not to add games that have the number 3 or 4 but its ok if u do!

[Chronical]

All that extra space on Bluray and they only have 10 gigs used for 6 hours of game play. What a waste. And theres no co-op or online play. Thats WWWWWWWWWEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAA AAKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK

[vickers500]

Its probably a little better than a decent game. I'm gonna rent it instead of buying it though, and if I like it enough, I'll wait to pay 10 less for a used copy of the game.

[Figboy]

i remember you from the site Gamers Reports, spouting off the same anti-PS3 bullsh*t.

i didn't even have to read your comment to add you to my ignore list.

f*cking retarded fanboy...

to everyone else: just ignore this mike, guy. all he ever does, is enter as many PS3 related stories as possible, good or bad, and post his anti-Sony propaganda. i've *SEEN him use this *SAME tactic on the site Gamers Reports (or Gamer Report, something like that).

he hardly ever responds to people's rebuttals to his stupid comments, and immediately shuts up when proved wrong, only to move onto the *NEXT Sony related story and start it all up again.

i'm seriously beginning to think he's a plant.

the alternative is to think of him as a pathetic, close-minded fanboy who can't appreciate when a rival console does something good.

[Bowzabub]

It has been brought to my attn that the reason the game looks so good in the videos is because the devs can actually do the combos...air and all, which i have been practicing at pretty fervently. maybe the gamer sucks {reviews} cause trust me i can make it look pretty too. haterz P.S. with no jump button i sure seem to get alot of air combos....get a wii if PS3's games are too hard for you non gamers..also neutral is block and it works everytime i try it..don't hate the game, hate the wannabe player.lol.

[arcadegoal]

yes i agree let the game come out first,ive played the demo and the graphics are nice its just not my type of game, i think it will score average reviews...but it aint no sony system seller,nor is warharwk,i played that to fun but done it all before..were is sonys big hitters.??