| Heavenly Sword | |
| |
| Developer(s) | Ninja Theory |
| Publisher(s) | SCEE
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| Release date | September 12 2007(NA) September 14 2007(EU) September 20 2007 (AU) |
| Genre | Action adventure |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
| Age rating(s) | ESRB: Teen (T) |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation 3
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| Credits | Soundtrack | Codes | Walkthrough | |
Heavenly Sword is a video game in development by Ninja Theory for the PlayStation 3 console. It is a martial arts action-drama game with a freestyle combat system.
Gameplay
Features
- Player can switch between three distinct stances for different fighting styles
- Advance AI: Enemies employ intelligent squad-based dynamics in large groups or can fight the player one on one with sophisticated intelligence.
- Physics based Combat using Dynamic objects. Player can throw enemies & objects at other enemies or use the scenery to their advantage.
- In-game Cinematography which tells the story.
Storyline
Development
Back in 2003, a "concept trailer" for Heavenly Sword appeared, and the game was apparently destined for the Xbox. The game's developer, then known as Just Add Monsters, made one game for Microsoft and then went bust. A year later when next gen consoles came out the game was made exclusive for the PS3.
Heavenly Sword first debut in a video clip on May 16, 2005 at E3 2005. The clip featured a female protagonist, Nariko fighting off many enemies and a dynamic environment in which player can move surrounding object in the environment. It also shows the player ability to swing around enemies and the clip ended with the player firing a cannon with fire at a massive amount of enemies.
On October 25, 2005 Ninja Theory released 10 screen shots of Heavenly Sword on Gamespot. At E3 2006 Heavenly Sword had a playable demo. On May 8 it was announced that Andy Serkis was going to play the role of the King Botan in Heavenly Sword. Serkis is famous for his CG roles as Gollum in "The Lord of the Rings" and Kong in "King Kong". Serkis is using motion capture for his role. At E3 2006 on May 8, 2006 a trailer for Heavenly Sword was shown which featured gameplay and the features of the AI. Several playable demos of the game was also featured.
The first trailer was released on September 22, 2006 at TGS 2006. It starts with King Botan explaining the legend of the heavenly sword. Then it shows clips of the gameplay with Nariko killing enemies and ends with the king yelling "Kill her. Wipe her out."
On March 7 2007 a video of the motion capture development was released. The video explains the motion capture used in the game and movements for facial expressions.
On June 7, 2007 a Heavenly Sword trailer was available for download at the PlayStation Store.
On Thursday July 26 the demo was released for the PlayStation Store. The 1GB demo featured a few enemies for the player to combat, and the player can also slide on ropes. The demo is approximately 5-10 minutes long. After the demo the game screen reads, "Redemption arrives in September", tying in with the game's scheduled for release on September 12, 2007 for the U.S. On August 3, 2007 Sony announced that the game will be released in America on September .
The dialogue for the game takes up 10 GB of data and three and a half hours of music and 4500 lines of voice over work, in eleven languages.
On September 11th 2007 A TV ad for Heavenly Sword was released. It features Nariko fighting a mass of enemies in slow motion and a voice saying "Vengeance has never been so beautiful".
Anime
On August, two Heavenly Sword anime films were released for PlayStation G.A.P. members. The anime is in a dark style, using mainly a combination of black and very bright colors.
Heavenly Sword Part 1 - The Legend of the Sword
Heavenly Sword episode one describes the origin of the Heavenly Sword. The anime begins by describing the Raven Lord is a warlord thirsty for power and blood lust. The scene shows a battle field with many soldiers fighting and many people getting killed and burned. Later, mankind was given hope by a warrior who came from the heavens and fought the Raven lord. The warrior was white and had light shining from his body. After the battle was over the warrior vanished, but he left his sword. Thus the legend of the heavenly sword was born and thousands would die for it.
Heavenly Sword Animation Episode 2: Guardians Of The Sword
The second episode describes what happens to the holders of the sword. Men tore each other apart and murdered one another just to obtain and keep the sword. The sword itself also started to feed on the blood of men. Those who wielded it were consumed by it and the sword became a curse upon mankind. The narrator's clan acquired the sword and kept it away from mankind, waiting for the legendary warrior to return and reclaim his sword.
Heavenly Sword Animation Episode 3: Rise of Evil
Episode three was released on August 20th 2007. It features how King Botan came into power. The scene starts with two boys fighting to become king. Botan lost the fight and tried to cheat with a dagger but accidentally cut himself in slashes himself across the eye when the other boy blocked him. It then showed Botan giving the boy who became king a drink with poison which the king drank. Botan becomes king and wanted to become a god, thus he needed the heavenly sword.
Heavenly Sword Animation Episode 4: The Divine Birth
On August, the fourth episode was released. It featured the clan who protected the heavenly sword from mankind and their hardships. It shows the clan defending themselves from warlords and warriors. It explained the day that the heavenly warrior would return in a divine birth and lead civilization into an age of peace and glory.
Praise
The game won Best Graphics of E3 2006 from MTV and Game Critics Awards for Best Fighting Game. Heavenly Sword also won the Best Action/Adventure Game Award from Game Critics at E3 2007.
Criticism
External links
- Official Site
- Developer's Official Site
- Q&A with Ninja Theory
- Hands-on from GamePro
- Demo review by Escapist magazine.
- Heavenly Sword entry on wikipedia
Anime
Trailers
- E3 2005 trailer
- Motion Capture video. Featuring Andy Serkis
- Trailer from TGS 2006
- Development commentary
- Heavenly Sword TV ad
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