Wired Review: Heavenly Sword, Or: How Awesome Graphics Can Save Iffy Gameplay

From Wired, Chris Kohler writes :

"Sony's latest PlayStation 3 game asks the question: how much are great graphics worth? My jaw literally dropped when I got my first taste of Heavenly Sword's visuals, but I soon realized that the action gameplay was not nearly as cutting-edge. And yet, the cinematics were so captivating that I gritted my teeth and pushed forward.

What's so impressive? Heavenly Sword's story, about a beautiful young warrior princess who wields the titular cursed weapon, is told through an elaborate series of cinematic scenes in which motion-capture actors like King Kong's Andy Serkis play the main characters. This results in astonishingly nuanced, human-like facial expressions."

[TriggerHappy]

Another great review for the game. Uping the Hype for PS3 gamers.

[Captain Tuttle]

The reviewer says it's not worth $60...only a rent or a borrow. He says it's too short.

[solidt12]

The graphics are some of the best I have seen and the Facial Animation but my favorite thing was the Game play when I played the demo. Is there anyone out there that agrees with me. Only comment if you have tried to pull off all the different combo moves you can do in the demo. They really took it to another level with the fighting moves and SIXAXIS after touch.

[Anego Montoya FTMFW]

i agree.

100%

[nasim]

everyone agrees with u except the NASTY BOTS

BTW HS is now in the top 5 sales charts of all the NA and EU retailer charts

i predict 3--5m sales for this GRAPHICAL and TECHNICAL marvel

[leinadem2]

he talks about the graphics, the lenght and the gameplay. I think is a fair review and really objective in asmuchas he emphasizes the good things and the weaknesses of the game
HS 7/10 good
" WIRED Amazing graphics, well-directed cut scenes, "bullet time" shooting sequences.

TIRED Shallow gameplay, not much variety, extremely short. "

[Anego Montoya FTMFW]

more games like HEAVENLY SWORD.

[sajj316]

I love short games. I love to play as much as games as possible. I loved Shadow of the Colossus for its simplicity and breavity, same thing with Gears of War, and the God of War series. I don't have time for a game thats 100+ hours of gameply like Oblivion. Length of game does not equate to a $60.00 price tag. I'm sure Two Worlds is great but 100+ hours of mediocrity is not for me and at $60.00. I'd rather play a 8-12 hour mediocre game than something thats 50+ hours.

Its not everyone's cup of tea ... short games but it is mine.

[Anego Montoya FTMFW]

going to bring up Shadow Of The Colossus.

i`m playing it NOW.

i can`t get enough of it.

another great short game is Dead Rising.

[johnnywit]

Short games are only good to own if they have a high replay value. Don't get me wrong I love short games more than anyone but, If I can rent a game and beat it in a day then that is what I will do. It saves me 60 dollars. Gears for instance was the perfect length and it has multiplayer to justify the 60 dollar purchase for most. I hate multiplayer so I rented it and was done in 2 days. Bioshock is a great game but I'm 10 hours in and thinking when is this game going to end.lol. I like games that are 6 to 10 hours long and have high replay value. My favorites would be the 1 and 2 silent hills.

[aiphanes]

And God of war 3!!!

I am still getting heavenly sword...because most of the reviews are around 9.0.

The demo was tight... I can be happy playing total time of 8 to 9 hours...bioshock was only like 6 to 7 hours...and people are not talking crap about that game...gears of war was only like 6 hours and people say that is the holly grail game for the xbox 360...

[Anego Montoya FTMFW]

couldn`t have said it better myself.

[sajj316]

I think you'll hear some sort of announcement on Shadow of the Colossus 2 (or whatever title they give it) during the TGS Pre-Show conference ... can't wait!!!

[harpua]

"bioshock was only like 6 to 7 hours...and people are not talking crap about that game."

thank you....tired of the hypocrisy crap here.

[Captain Tuttle]

I got about 18 hours out of Bioshock but I like to explore...I suppose with a walkthrough the game could be done in 7 or 8 hours so someone might want to rent. Gears took me about 10 but multiplayer makes it a must buy, not a rental. Almost infinite replayability (except for the foul mouthed little punks in ranked matches).

[razer]

Bioshock 6-7 hours? Gears of War 6 hours??

Are you playing these games on EASY and just running from the start and not stopping? Either you haven't played these games and are just looking at some lame excuse to justify this games short gameplay or you run through games as fast as you can on the easiest level.

Don't bring these games down because HS is supposed to be short.

On Topic: I think the facial animations on this game are top notch and probably the best lip syncing I've seen. That is one thing the PS3 seems to do much better than the 360..

[power091999]

There are many very good games that most would consider short. It all comes down to what type of gamer you are.

Gears I consider short, but a great game. I burned through that with my brother in law the same day we opened it. This was not typically the way I play games though.

I bought my PS3 in July, and still have yet to finish Resistance. I am enjoying it very much though.

Honestly 7-8 hours would easily last me well over a month or two. I tend to take my time with games. I feel that when I drop 60 dollars. It needs to pay for itself over time.

[kreetah]

I admit that I like to take my time with games so a 6hr game for you may take me 12hrs of game play. I see people zip through levels and it is just amazing how fast some people are. I tend to be a less twitchy player and use combos and strategy and HS is full of special moves, blocks, and attacks. For example in Call of Duty I tend to snipe more than just grabbing a machine gun and blasting away. Anyway, based on other HIGHER rating/reviews this is one I am getting (preordered).

[PimpHandHappy]

The guy didnt even talk about the backgrounds that have been said to look like they where painted on.

anyway few more hours and i will be playing this game.

Warhawk=30hours and counting

[BlazinEurasian]

when gameplay catches up to graphics PS3 is king.

[heavyarms]

this is the second review about this game that dissapoints. I was expecting to buy the game. If better reviews dont start coming this is a rental or a buy from a friend. And i do read reviews before i by my games.