Heavenly Sword - Official Topic

[GTAce]

ATTENTION - OPINION ALERT

My personal Heavenly Sword review
Posted By GTAce - 09.26.07 19:08 CET

So i had the chance to play the game yesterday.
A friend of mine bought it (i for myself dont have the money right now) and he was so nice to let me play it, complete!

The first thing i said was "WOAH HEAVENLY SWORD HECK YEAH!" and this feeling kept over the whole game.
The intro sequence and the point where the game goes in to the main menu alone is incredible stylish and the first chapter in the snow looks incredible.
I dont want to wright something specific on the levels because either you already have seen them OR you must see them for yourself.

The number of enemys on screen is incredible and even then the framerate doesnt drop (i had 2 framerate drops and there was no single enemy on screen lol) or you will see any kind of bug in the graphics.
AI wise its alright too, you wont see unbelievable clever enemys but you will never say "oh that was dumb, stupid idiot".

To the characters:
I found them ALL great.
From Nariko over Kai to Bohan and the other bad guys all have their own personality and charme.
The syncronisation is awesome and the moton capturing one of the best ive seen.
One thing i really appreciated was the possibillity to switch to English speech and German subtitles. Not that the German syncro was bad but i think the English original is better and fits more to the characters.

And here i want to come to the sound.
The music is amazing, wonderful classical score with pushing beats and nice melodys.

I played through the complete game in 8-9 hours on normal which is short BUT i loved every second and it was one of the best times i had on PS3.
Such an intense and cinematic experience.

Controls are great, the SIXAXIS stuff works smooth and if you dont like it you still can switch this stuff to the analog stick.
I have no idea how someone can say it has no "grip"...

So because most people want scores, here they are:

Graphics - - - - -9/10
Sound - - - - - 10/10
Controls - - - - -9/10
Lasting Appeal - 8/10

Total score
-------91/100
Must Play

EDIT: Reply number 3000 in this thread and new page w00t w00t.

[Jay Gee]

Here are the first 20 minutes of gameplay for those that are interested.

[Part 1] (http://www.gamersyde.com/stream_4734_en.html)
http://img234.imageshack.us/img234/708/hs01ou8.jpg

[Part 2] (http://www.gamersyde.com/stream_4742_en.html)
http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/5130/hs02ce8.jpg
I love these Gamersyde MP4s that play on my PS3. Everytime they pop up, I'm like "OMG!"

[section]

ATTENTION - OPINION ALERT

My personal Heavenly Sword review
Posted By GTAce - 09.26.07 19:08 CET

So i had the chance to play the game yesterday.
A friend of mine bought it (i for myself dont have the money right now) and he was so nice to let me play it, complete!

The first thing i said was "WOAH HEAVENLY SWORD HECK YEAH!" and this feeling kept over the whole game.
The intro sequence and the point where the game goes in to the main menu alone is incredible stylish and the first chapter in the snow looks incredible.
I dont want to wright something specific on the levels because either you already have seen them OR you must see them for yourself.

The number of enemys on screen is incredible and even then the framerate doesnt drop (i had 2 framerate drops and there was no single enemy on screen lol) or you will see any kind of bug in the graphics.
AI wise its alright too, you wont see unbelievable clever enemys but you will never say "oh that was dumb, stupid idiot".

To the characters:
I found them ALL great.
From Nariko over Kai to Bohan and the other bad guys all have their own personality and charme.
The syncronisation is awesome and the moton capturing one of the best ive seen.
One thing i really appreciated was the possibillity to switch to English speech and German subtitles. Not that the German syncro was bad but i think the English original is better and fits more to the characters.

And here i want to come to the sound.
The music is amazing, wonderful classical score with pushing beats and nice melodys.

I played through the complete game in 8-9 hours on normal which is short BUT i loved every second and it was one of the best times i had on PS3.
Such an intense and cinematic experience.

Controls are great, the SIXAXIS stuff works smooth and if you dont like it you still can switch this stuff to the analog stick.
I have no idea how someone can say it has no "grip"...

So because most people want scores, here they are:

Graphics - - - - -9/10
Sound - - - - - 10/10
Controls - - - - -9/10
Lasting Appeal - 8/10

Total score
-------91/100
Must Play

EDIT: Reply number 3000 in this thread and new page w00t w00t.

You are biased, it doesn't count if it's positive bias.

great review :)

message 3003:wave:

[Junox50]

I got to play the demo this morning at my local Gamestop and I loved it.

Still don't have a PS3 though. :(

[section]

If someone having played through the game is bored with this title already you can sell it to me for "brothers in arms" -price ;)

[dnpmakkah]

Wow, I just now finished this game after a brutal final boss battle with Bohan and the only thing I can muster is just wow. Up until now I have been very understanding of some of the scores this game has been getting but IMO this game deserves no lower than an 9 for the shear fact that it puts you on an emotional ride unlike anything else I have ever experienced. I can't believe video games can be so gripping and so awe inspiring.

Granted I've never played a game that I've hated (ecept for Driv3r) but I know when a game is something special and Heavenly Sword has that it factor. I can't say anything that hasn't be said already and I won't even mention the story so as to not ruin others' experience but here is my take on the game.

Graphics - This game is very artisic the colors are lush and vibrant and once you're in the heat of battle the graphics transform you and lead you into the world itself. The fact that I get so immersed into the action is all I need to know when deciding whether or not the game is beautiful and to me it is.

Sound - The designers were right when they said the audio subtly kicks in during the right moments without you even knowing and this couldn't be more true. When music hits that right cord at the right moment it can practically make you shed a tear.

Gameplay - I had fun playing it and that's all that matters to me. There are lots of combinations and superstyle moves that even on my best day I wouldn't be able to pull off since my hands/fingers don't move that fast and for that matter my brain probably can't handle it anyways but I did just fine with the standard square/triangle. The 3 stances add a lot of value to the combo system.

Overall - Phil was right. When a game like Heavenly Sword (as short as it is) finishes and it leaves the gamer wanting more it speaks volumes about the title itself. I'm torn between wanting a Heavenly Sword 2 or leaving this game to stand on its own. Oh who am I kidding of course I want a part 2 but you catch my drift. I won't put a score on this game but know that I like others think very highly of this game. Its not just a game it's entertainment/art/movie all in one.

[Nameless]

Considering what NT accomplished with Heavenly Sword it would be a huge loss for PS3 owners if we do not see a sequel. I believe just making some overall adjustments to gameplay & level design will result in a true undisputed masterpiece...

[Passive]

:s i still dont get how you are all drawn into this game. I seriously dont get it... I feel left out or something. lol. The animations were sweet, score was amazing, voice acting was tight. but the story wasnt gripping at all for me. :( did i play the wrong game or something? and im being serious. you all hold this game in such high regard and i wanna be able to do the same but for some reason it didnt do a thing for me.

[Passive]

wtf? lol i clicked quote instead of edit XD my bad.

[dnpmakkah]

:s i still dont get how you are all drawn into this game. I seriously dont get it... I feel left out or something. lol. The animations were sweet, score was amazing, voice acting was tight. but the story wasnt gripping at all for me. :( did i play the wrong game or something? and im being serious. you all hold this game in such high regard and i wanna be able to do the same but for some reason it didnt do a thing for me.Nah, not everybody is going to enjoy it Passive. Personally I wished you would have loved the game because it's awesome especially the story. Maybe next time right :thumbl:?

[LaLiLuLeLo]

:s i still dont get how you are all drawn into this game. I seriously dont get it... I feel left out or something. lol. The animations were sweet, score was amazing, voice acting was tight. but the story wasnt gripping at all for me. :( did i play the wrong game or something? and im being serious. you all hold this game in such high regard and i wanna be able to do the same but for some reason it didnt do a thing for me.

You should talk to your doctor to see if Heavenly Sword is right for you.

[TrueVCU]

You should talk to your doctor to see if Heavenly Sword is right for you.

Side effects may include increased heart rate, dizziness, and spontaneous erections lasting 2-4 hours.

[Passive]

^ maybe i did enjoy it :P

[LaLiLuLeLo]

If you play Heavenly Sword for extended periods of time and are not thoroughly impressed, cease use and call the hospital immediately.

[curryking1]

:s i still dont get how you are all drawn into this game.

Maybe it's because you suck! Lol j/k!

O:-]

P.S. I'm not that drawn into it, but I intensely enjoyed it while going through the story. Definitely still go back to it every now and then for some Kai mission pwnage.

[TrueVCU]

Maybe it's because you suck! Lol j/k!

O:-]

P.S. I'm not that drawn into it, but I intensely enjoyed it while going through the story. Definitely still go back to it every now and then for some Kai mission pwnage.

I still have happy memories watching Lali pwn that mission and then getting merked by the LAST GUY :D

[LaLiLuLeLo]

Or that motherfucker dodging all my bolts like the matrix.
THERE IS NO SPOON, he said to me, mockingly, tauntingly, as my bolts whizzed past him.

[curryking1]

Globe and Mail - Heavenly Sword Review (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070921.wgtsword0921/BNStory/Technology/home)

http://images.theglobeandmail.com/archives/RTGAM/images/20070921/wgtsword0921/medium4.jpg

The Good: It's the best looking game yet made for the PS3; characters are as multifaceted and interesting as they are gorgeous; it's accessible enough that almost anyone can pick up a controller and start hacking away
The Bad: So short it feels like only half a game; final boss fight is hard (and frustrating) enough that it adds hours to the game but subtracts years from your life
The Verdict: It's a true triple threat: Great graphics, seductive story, and pleasurable to play. However, an inexplicably short running time of just six hours makes it a better candidate for rental than purchase.

Globe and Mail - Heavenly Sword Article - One Game's Identity Disorder (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070927.wgtgaming0928/BNStory/Technology/home)

Nariko finally prevailed and I watched the end: Heavenly Sword the movie is not excellent. It's a hack-and-slash game story meets kung-fu epic — set up the mad bosses, throw in a sword that saps the life force of its wielder — without a hint of originality beyond its outsized physical performances and titillating visual flair.

What it does show is how far the technology has come, and it hints at things to come.

- My input - I completely agree with this part. '...hints at things to come.'


Good reads by non-gaming exclusive news bases. Not spoiled by the loserness that is the console 'war.'

[flipflop]

Considering what NT accomplished with Heavenly Sword it would be a huge loss for PS3 owners if we do not see a sequel. I believe just making some overall adjustments to gameplay & level design will result in a true undisputed masterpiece...
No. It's bombed in the US and it now seemingly has bombed in Europe.

[chartwel]

well, just got heavenly sword. fun game. i am disappointed in the framerate though. its so random it even makes countering hard. i just dont think a first party title should have had that kind of framerate. i think it should have been delayed until it was fixed. still, having fun with it. i would say so far its an 8/10 game. not bad, considering the studios last game.

lol at sayings its bombed above. how would you even know? give games time man seriously.

[flipflop]

well, just got heavenly sword. fun game. i am disappointed in the framerate though. its so random it even makes countering hard. i just dont think a first party title should have had that kind of framerate. i think it should have been delayed until it was fixed. still, having fun with it. i would say so far its an 8/10 game. not bad, considering the studios last game.

lol at sayings its bombed above. how would you even know? give games time man seriously.
Sales wise it has. $20m+ you'd be expecting it to move systems not just be a decent game.

[TEEDA]

Just stole that from my rental Store Haha !
http://www.enregistrersous.com/images/205325814420070929101222.jpg
http://www.enregistrersous.com/images/40243127120070929101249.jpg
http://www.enregistrersous.com/images/203538409920070929101313.jpg
http://www.enregistrersous.com/images/132163389320070929101338.jpg
:devious:

[fknuckle]

In Spain it looks like it's selling decent at the #1 spot anyways.Any NA game numbers/rankings for HS yet?

Heavenly Sword reigns in Spain // GamesIndustry.biz
Address:http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=29113

[Hisham]

:s i still dont get how you are all drawn into this game. I seriously dont get it... I feel left out or something. lol. The animations were sweet, score was amazing, voice acting was tight. but the story wasnt gripping at all for me. :( did i play the wrong game or something? and im being serious. you all hold this game in such high regard and i wanna be able to do the same but for some reason it didnt do a thing for me.

I agree... HS is pretty bland story wise. Nothing very gripping IMO.

[LiquidEagle]

Was the final boss fight really that hard? I beat it on my first go (not saying it was easy...) :-/

[gibmonster]

No. It's bombed in the US and it now seemingly has bombed in Europe.

why does this matter to you? do you buy chart music just because it's popular? move on already.

[Junox50]

@TEEDA: lovely pics. :D

[chartwel]

the second bohan is officially the gayest boss ever. its simple ridiculous they make him that hard. "lets give him fireballs that are damn near impossible to dodge and take off half your health"

i am guessing thats NT way of extending gameplay?

[BruceWayneIII]

@TEEDA: so this is what happens to SONY's in-store marketing campaign - benefitting the ones who already bought the game. j/k

[Cyrus]

the second bohan is officially the gayest boss ever. its simple ridiculous they make him that hard. "lets give him fireballs that are damn near impossible to dodge and take off half your health"

i am guessing thats NT way of extending gameplay?

Just counter the fireballs with the power stance.

[Red_Eyes]

Now a day, I don't have that much time to play games anymore. A game better not be more than 8 hours long. It gotta be short and sweet. I am not about to waste 48 hours of my life on a game. So this is why Heavenly Sword is just perfect... Short, sweet, and fun.

[chartwel]

Just counter the fireballs with the power stance.

ahh, that would probably help. i was just trying to dodge. thanks.

i was just bitter as he kept kicking my ass.

[dnpmakkah]

Here are the first 30 minutes of gameplay for those that are interested.

[Part 1] (http://www.gamersyde.com/stream_4734_en.html)
http://img234.imageshack.us/img234/708/hs01ou8.jpg

[Part 2] (http://www.gamersyde.com/stream_4742_en.html)
http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/5130/hs02ce8.jpg

[Part 3] (http://www.gamersyde.com/stream_4757_en.html)
http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/811/hs03sz4.jpg

[LiquidEagle]

This game deserves way more praise...

[Cyrus]

Yep, it does.

I've been playing a lot of the combat sections again (with the "full" Heavenly Sword in use) and the more I play it the more I love it. It's amazing how free the system is. I love it how they've given the moves a lot of time to execute. You can tap the combos in very fast or you can execute them very slowly. This also is a huge factor in the combat making it very fun to change the pace you fight with quickly and follow what the enemies are doing and counter/dodge/block accordingly. Also it has different recovery times for the combos and moves mid-combo and different combos go through a lot better for some enemies than for other types.

Also I cant get bored of the 5.1 sound, the music and the graphics, they still amaze. Overall it's just an amazing package. And the cut-scenes still make me laugh even though I've seen them several times.

I do have some stuff I'd like NT to improve in the sequel and I'll probably post some suggestions to their official forums but overall I love the game.

[Red_Eyes]

Yep, it does.

I've been playing a lot of the combat sections again (with the "full" Heavenly Sword in use) and the more I play it the more I love it. It's amazing how free the system is. I love it how they've given the moves a lot of time to execute. You can tap the combos in very fast or you can execute them very slowly. This also is a huge factor in the combat making it very fun to change the pace you fight with quickly and follow what the enemies are doing and counter/dodge/block accordingly. Also it has different recovery times for the combos and moves mid-combo and different combos go through a lot better for some enemies than for other types.

Also I cant get bored of the 5.1 sound, the music and the graphics, they still amaze. Overall it's just an amazing package. And the cut-scenes still make me laugh even though I've seen them several times.

I do have some stuff I'd like NT to improve in the sequel and I'll probably post some suggestions to their official forums but overall I love the game.
Here's some money. Take back the positive things you said and say something negative instead.

[chartwel]

its fun, but the game certainly has its faults. a solid effort by NT. i mean, its loads better than there last game. i probably wont be as hyped for the next game they make, as i learned my lesson on this one. they need to earn the hype.

[JKL]

Nariko You Are Immortal
youtube.com

AWESOME MOVIE!!!

[LaLiLuLeLo]

For people who have beaten the game:
So how do you think they're gonna follow up with the sequel? Is Nariko gonna come back from the dead? Be reborn? Come down from heaven as a warrior goddess? Be reincarnated as a new original character in each subsequent game? Theories?

[Sephiroth_VII]

Hmm, I think it'll take place 100 years later, with Kai as a very old woman, living alone in a cave with her apprentice(male/female)

Something happens, and the apprentice takes up th sword, possibly becoming possesed by Nariko's spirit, still sealed in the sword.

[LaLiLuLeLo]

that's silly.

[Sephiroth_VII]

No, it's not!

Beats a reborn Nariko...
:guns: You must die for that insult to my good taste!

You know I'm just kidding...






Right?

I hope those huge spoiler boxs make people think we're having a big discussion, then click, only to be dissapointed : -)

Muhahahaha!!

[Passive]

lol : P you guys are fools. making me think there was a decent spoiler chat in here but noooooooo




blast you



no damn you...









damn you to hell









see now ppl will think im typing a huge spoiler ^^

[dnpmakkah]

Just saw a new Heavenly Sword commerical entirely made of in-game footage. They are still promoting the game which is very cool. Hopefully you guys will see it soon too or maybe you already have.

[masteratt]

Did the game finish before the advert?

ZING!

Just kidding.

Where ya from? Where was it aired? Famous channel?

[dnpmakkah]

Located in America, saw it around 10 p.m. ET on FX channel during the ECW show.

[curryking1]

Did the game finish before the advert?

ZING!

Just kidding.

Where ya from? Where was it aired? Famous channel?

HAHAHAHAHA!!! O ***t! That was good, I had a big chuckle out of this one XD

[dnpmakkah]

WTF....lol the Japanese are a unique bunch. Hope the game gains some steam over there.

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/27795.html

[Junox50]

WTF....lol the Japanese are a unique bunch. Hope the game gains some steam over there.

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/27795.html

Ugh, it aint working for me. It keeps taking me back to the home page after I fill out the age verification thing. :(

[TEEDA]

I wonder how the game experience is with the japanese version of the game, the voices should be amazing like in Mangas and anims.
Does someone have it in japanese ? Are there some vids ?

[Cyrus]

I wonder how the game experience is with the japanese version of the game, the voices should be amazing like in Mangas and anims.
Does someone have it in japanese ? Are there some vids ?

Yeah, I'm considering importing it.. might be very good.

[cliffbo]

Sorry but Drake made me forget...

[Sephiroth_VII]

God, you're right, I should have imported:(

[VG Aficionado]

http://ec2.images-amazon.com/images/I/61gCQO9ruoL._SS400_.jpg

[karibu]

Damn that's great cover art =(

I like that visual hint...

[Nameless]

^^ Great cover!

[Cyrus]

I ordered the Japanese version today from Yesasia.com.. just hope it has English subtitles.

[cliffbo]

i remember a few people saying this was a system seller, guess they were wrong

[Shogun042]

game itself wasn't long enough. it's like 1/2 of uncharted.

[cliffbo]

Andy Serkis event hints at Heavenly Sword 2
Posted on December 7th, 2007 at 11:38 EDT

Speculation of a sequel to Heavenly Sword has been in route since the games release a few months back. Like many developers today following a trend, Ninja Theory is said to be turning Heavenly Sword into a franchise, possibly a trilogy. More recently, news of a sequel has reared its head at the launch event for Andy Serkis’ industry networking organisation, Games Eden.

At the event, a spokesperson for Ninja Theory on occasion referred to the PS3 exclusive as “Heavenly Sword 1”, as if placing emphasis that it is only the first of more games to come.

This does not mark the first time that Ninja Theory has hinted at Heavenly Sword becoming a franchise, as earlier in the year Tameem Antoniades, the Co-Founder of Ninja Theory, said in a podcast that their original idea for Heavenly Sword is to be a “three-game story”. Furthermore, he said that the second phase is already written and that there is no reason to suggest that there would not be a sequel.

Developed by Ninja Theory and published by SCE, Heavenly Sword is a matchless IP that allows gamers to take control of the lead female character, Nariko. Through her, players will embark on a majestically filled journey as you set plot for revenge by seeking to destroy an invading King and his followers.

The game centers around a weapon called the Heavenly Sword (hence, the title, which can never be held by a mortal as it will slowly exhaust all life away from whoever bares it. The game’s concept is supposedly based around that of God of War, another huge PlayStation exclusive.

http://www.psu.com/Andy-Serkis-event-hints-at-Heavenly-Sword-2-News--a0002115-p0.php

[dnpmakkah]

This and Uncharted are my favorite games for the PS3.

[LaLiLuLeLo]

See? That's cuz you're smart.

[cliffbo]

Heavenly Sword Creators Working on Something Exciting

by Patrick Steen on December 10, 2007

untitled-copy.jpg Ninja Theory, the developers that brought us Heavenly Sword, are moving forward in the creation of their next game. Something exciting is in the cooking pot and the hinting makes us giddy.

A developer on the official Ninja Theory forums has aroused their fans with news that they are back to working hard. This is very soon after releasing their mammoth 4 year project that was Heavenly Sword, but not unheard of.

The Ninja (as each developer likes to be referred to) also regrettably says that they must be tight lipped, but that what they are working on is “pretty amazing”.

Very exciting indeed, since their first PS3 game was a beauty to look at with very high production values. A game that had moments of genius, but sadly fell a bit short.

http://www.ripten.com/2007/12/10/heavenly-sword-creators-working-on-something-exciting/

[Fats]

That's it? Lmao.

Jeez, throw us a bone!

[cliffbo]

That's it? Lmao.

Jeez, throw us a bone!

LOLOLOL!!! i'm excited! very telling don't you think?

[masteratt]

This fucking needs to stop.

A GAME DEVELOPER: Hey guys we are developing a game.

[the boney king of nowhere.]

heh, yeah, i think it's safe to assume that every game development company is working on at least one game. otherwise they just... wouldn't have a job.

[Red_Eyes]

heh, yeah, i think it's safe to assume that every game development company is working on at least one game. otherwise they just... wouldn't have a job.

That's a FALSE assumption. There's one game company that's not working on a game... The game company behind Duke Nuken Forever.

[VG Aficionado]

Insert your Heavenly Sword disc to get the 1.1 update which provides rumble support :hugegrin:

[Matt]

They need to add more than rumble to make HS better :P

[VG Aficionado]

...yes.

The update size is 18 MB, BTW.

[Matt]

Lol I'm sorry, I was just HUGELY disappointed by HS.

[masteratt]

There there.
There there.

[Matt]

FU masteratt! ;)

[VG Aficionado]

I didn't love it either. I'm afraid they needed more time to polish it, and it is a bit too short. I didn't like the combat system either, being used to Devil May Cry and God of War; as a matter of fact, I enjoyed Kai's sections more than Nariko's. The production values were awesome though, and so were the cutscenes and some graphics work.

[Matt]

Yea, for me the cutscenes were the best parts. Some good bits in there. The gameplay was pretty average, and it could've done with being two or three times the length it was. I also agree with you about Kai's parts of the game. Using the motion control to direct the arrows into people's heads was probably the highlight.

[Segitz]

I didn't love it either. I'm afraid they needed more time to polish it, and it is a bit too short. I didn't like the combat system either, being used to Devil May Cry and God of War; as a matter of fact, I enjoyed Kai's sections more than Nariko's. The production values were awesome though, and so were the cutscenes and some graphics work.

Since my "review" and all the rest was not regarded as "nice", I still say it, I concur...

And I still find HS to be a game, that was just too short and too simple...

(Sorry, I am quite drunk^^ My first Jack Daniels n Coke was more Jack than coke, and the rest, figure it yourself^^)

[Diresu]

I liked the combat system but the pacing was pretty bad. It felt like fast forwarding through a plot.Bit more time in the oven and that game could have been epic. Thats what sequels are for though.

[Sephiroth_VII]

I loved it :(

[LaLiLuLeLo]

It's okay Sephiroth. I'll just get them all banned one day.

[Coded-Dude]

I Stopped playing it at the last level(boss fight), there were other games that made me stray. I presume I will eventually return and beat it - but for the most part I enjoyed the story and cutscenes(i'm indifferent about the mechanics; didn't hate `em / didn't love `em)

[Hisham]

Refer to my posts over 20 pages ago (i think) if you wanna know what I thought of it...

I have since sold the game.

[KRA]

PS3Playboy: Heavenly Sword has 'Best Jiggle Factor' (http://www.ps3fanboy.com/2007/12/29/playboy-heavenly-sword-has-best-jiggle-factor/)


http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.ps3fanboy.com/media/2007/12/jigglesword.jpg

There are some awards our favorite games receive that make us happy they get the recognition they deserve, and there are some that leave us ... well, scratching our heads. Take Playboy's Best of Games of 2007 awards (http://www.playboy.com/magazine/features/games-of-2007/games-of-2007.html) for instance as it awarded Heavenly Sword the "Best Jiggle Factor" award. We're not really sure what it means, but we're pretty sure it's a compliment.

Here's what they had to say about the game: "This game has more than a few rough edges, but we loved its compelling scenario and character design. Nariko is gorgeous but also strong, angry and vulnerable. By the end, you don't just want to date her, you want to marry her."

It beat out other scandalous and lewd games such as Ninja Gaiden Sigma, Conan and Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Anniversary. With this well-deserved recognition, could it mean that Nariko could have a future spread in Playboy's Girl's of Gaming? (http://money.cnn.com/2005/09/08/commentary/game_over/column_gaming/)

[Kiosko]

I think HS didn't deserve that award. The game was focussed on them such as Ninja Gaiden Sigma and several others. On another note; I completed Heavenly Sword yesterday! It was amazing. The Final Boss fight was frustrating at first, but after a few minutes; I learned his mechanics. I can't wait for their next game!!

[OmniCloud]

NGS was freakin lame...although the combat is like 10x better than HS, the garbage art direction, weak story, and just mission based old/school gameplay progression just left a bad taste in my mouth.

Some things like sports games or fighters are genres that don't need too much augmenting. Staying traditional is fine for those titles. But honestly NGS felt like a game made in the 90's with "HD" graphics spit on it. After I saw the pink monster/alien thing I just put the game away in the darkest corner of my closet:shifty:

[Zer0-Sum]

NGS was freakin lame...although the combat is like 10x better than HS, the garbage art direction, weak story, and just mission based old/school gameplay progression just left a bad taste in my mouth.

Some things like sports games or fighters are genres that don't need too much augmenting. Staying traditional is fine for those titles. But honestly NGS felt like a game made in the 90's with "HD" graphics spit on it. After I saw the pink monster/alien thing I just put the game away in the darkest corner of my closet:shifty:

I played the demo for NGS and was not impressed. I felt the same way about it too. The gameplay was too old school for a new game. I am looking forward to DMC4 a lot more.

Heavenly Sword on the other hand, that demo kicked ass. I love the feeling of fighting lots of enemies in a setting of total chaos. I want to buy that game. So little money, so many good games.... :cry2:

[acousticvan]

I think I prefer the fighting mechanic in NGS to HS.
The changing color scheme is nonsense in HS.

[drakkar]

HS ain't trying to be Ninja Gaiden, so I really don't see why they are compared. Same deal with people comparing GOW to NG.

[Hisham]

It doesn't matter if they are trying to be it or not. I don't think people are comparing it as much as just saying which system they prefer. In my opinion, out of all the action games I have played in like last 2 to 3 years, HS would be near the bottom in gameplay mechanics, really. The game wasn't really a game, seeing as they opted to make it more like a movie. Like I said before, you can have all the presentation you want, if it plays bad to me, I probably will not like it.

It the story wasn't too great, so that didn't help either... :-p

Of course this is all my opinion, so w/e.

[OmniCloud]

HS ain't trying to be Ninja Gaiden, so I really don't see why they are compared. Same deal with people comparing GOW to NG.there all action games in the same genre...

They have different styles of course--Ninja Gaiden is about the combat system, taking out enemies quickly, reflexes, etc...HS tries to be a more cinematic experience like God of War--letting the story progress the gameplay.

While HS fails at getting even close to something like God of War, I enjoyed the story very much and the countering system made the gameplay enjoyable as well.

Tho the combat system is indeed flawed, and pales in comparison to something like Ninja Gaiden, I found the overall game a LOT more enjoyable.

It's not hard to grasp, I'm tired of people saying "the games are totally different" There two freakin games in THE SAME GENRE--Geez...

if you want to get technical, NG is a pure action game while HS is probably labeled as an Action/adventure. Bottom line, there both focused on 3rd person action.

NG great combat system is ruined by it's weak presentation, 5th grade art direction, and non-existent story. HS has pretty weak gameplay mechanics outside of the countering system, but the story/presentation and art direction made me wanna play through it. (not to mention the game got better as you progressed with the best battle being the last fight with Bohan)

That's not a huge concept to understand. The games can be compared just fine if users would just read people's post and stop trying to be so formal about everything.

[Cyrus]

I will say it once more. I completed NGS on Master Ninja and I still enjoyed HS combat more (not to mention everything else like story, music, characters, art direction, graphics etc.). The combat does NOT suck. I'm still regularly playing a lot of the sections again because the combat feels so good. And NGS is one of my favourite games overall, I just think HS was better in every way basically.

And GoW 2 felt laughable after HS. "Epic". Yeah, right. :p

[Overload]

Why cant this just die.

[drakkar]

You just answered the point (Hisham), the devs wanted Heavenly Sword to resemble a Martial Arts flick. It was mean't to be more of an interactive cinematic experience.

I would look at what the designers intended the game to be, rather than the all expansive genre headings. Case in point the Bouncer (for good or bad) was a cinematic exprience as well, however people classified it as a beat-em up because it contained elements of that genre. So although it is not technically wrong to lump them together, the product should be reviewed on the principle(s) it is displaying.

[LaLiLuLeLo]

I love the game. But you can't argue Hisham into liking it. He doesn't. And he doesn't want to. He's entitled to his opinion like everyone else. Even if he is wrong.

[Matt]

Even if he is wrong.

He's not though :P

[Sephiroth_VII]

He is though. :)

[VG Aficionado]

He's so so though :cowboy:

[masteratt]

Well I can see our brains are working today.

[Sephiroth_VII]

They so so soooooo are.

[Matt]

Like soooo working!

[LaLiLuLeLo]

*yawn*