The kingdom has fallen into darkness and monsters roam the land. An evil king wields the power of several sacred stones. With evil tearing the land apart, only two heroes, the Barbarian and the Viking stand a chance of saving the kingdom. From Ratalaika Games and GamePhase comes Thy Sword, a hack’n’slash adventure inspired by the pixelated adventures of the ’80s. Thy Sword puts plays as either the muscular, shirtless Barbarian or the fierce-looking Viking. Out of all the heroes, these two happen to be in the right place at the right time with the fate of the world falling on their shoulders. In order to defeat the evil king, the two will fight fearsome monsters, collect the gems, and use their ancient power to slay and destroy the evil that has been wrought upon the land.
Thy Sword is a hack’n’slash adventure game, where each level plays as a small arena, filled with enemies. The goal is to slay each and every enemy in said arena. The arenas are spread across several chapters, with some chapters ending in a boss fight to collect a sacred gem. Players fight enemies, collect gold from fallen enemies, gather new items, and proceed all the way to the end of the adventure.
Thy Sword features a charming presentation that is clearly inspired by the likes of games featured on 8-bit computer gaming systems, such as the Commodore 64. The pixels are filled with an old-fashioned sense of depth and are animated with impressive movements and illustrations. There are other games that take place in the fantasy genre and feature the typical aspects of a fantasy epic but Thy Sword feels genuinely classic like the game was unearthed from the ’80s, where hero fantasies, such as Conan the Barbarian, dominated entertainment headlines. An additional touch is the pinball machine-like digital display, that changes as you start new games and slay enemies. The color palette gives a sense of a larger world to fight for. Thy Sword does a solid job of establishing its scope and making its game distinctly unique, especially when compared to other nostalgia-inspired fantasy games.
Thy Sword is a hack’n’sash true and true, where the only objective is to slay enemies. Each player has a primary sword and can equip a bow and arrow later in the game. Players engage enemies with attacks and blocks, as well as being aware of their environment. Basic attacks can kill enemies after a few swings, but one fun mechanic is a special attack move that decapitates most enemies instantly. It’s a nice feature that is reminiscent of Conan The Barbarian and includes a satisfying squelch when the steel meets the flesh of an orc. Later levels feature numerous enemies and environmental hazards, including one level that has players dodging the fireballs of an erupting volcano. Fortunately, players can use a special magic attack that cleans the entire stage of enemies. Between stages, players can play cards to bet on gold and purchase new weapons and items for survival.
Thy Sword features enjoyable gameplay and emphasizes the sensation of being in a fantasy epic. This is further heightened by the fact that console owners can play the game cooperatively with a second player. The arena levels, varied enemy design, and boss fights culminate into good, solid action that is fantastic for beginners and for experienced players. Three difficulty settings are available for those looking to test their mettle against the tougher conditions of the game, or for those that just want a fun playthrough.
Thy Sword is not meant to be a long game. A single playthrough on easy can last over an hour but there are secret characters to find and several difficulties to embark on. An additional arena versus mode exists for those that wish to fight each other in a battle for the death. However, there is not much replayability following the completion of the campaign.
Thy Sword is certainly a surprising little action title for those looking for something simple, organic, passionate, and enjoyable. Despite the short length and little replayability, Thy Sword is a charming action title that is highly recommended for those looking for a more simple experience that is nonetheless fun and rewarding.
A digital PS Vita copy was provided for review. Thy Sword is available now on PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Nintendo Switch, PC, and Xbox One.
