You’ve probably never wondered what it would be like to ride a giant sea turtle across the roofs of a city, questioned if it would be possible to perform a snowboard rail trick along the fossilised spine of an Elasmosaurus, or asked yourself what kind of noise a shark would make if it were to swim through sand. You’ve probably never actually thought about any of these things (unless, like me, you have some pretty trippy dreams from time to time!), but once you’ve played Sword of the Sea, this will all change, and you’ll be pretty darnn happy about it!
In Sword of the Sea, the player-character is a Wraith that has been resurrected into a world where war has annihilated the oceans and left nothing but lifeless desolation. Equipped with a magical sword, the Wraith must travel across the realm restoring life by re-introducing flowing water, giant shoals of fish and other majestic marine animals. The sword acts as a surfboard-come-snowboard-come-skateboard that the Wraith rides upon, and so it naturally follows that you’ll unlock new board-tricks to play around with on the half-pipes and rails cleverly built into the environments.
Sword of the Sea has a wonderfully heart-warming story, with silent, yet relatable, characters and immeasurable quantities of ambience. Although the characters in Sword of the Sea never speak a word, the gorgeous atmosphere of the game is heightened by the flawless use of sound effects. The resonances of the Wraith’s sword on different surfaces in the environment are faultlessly observed. And the noise of a shark swimming through sand? I’ve never heard a sound quite so satisfying!
The visual aspects of Sword of the Sea are some of the most stunning I’ve ever witnessed. It really is a treat for the eyeballs! Riding their sword-board, the Wraith traverses over glistening, snow-covered mountains, eerie, foggy landscapes and exquisitely detailed cityscapes. Even the desert locations – which I can often find quite visually flat and uninspiring; I’m frankly baffled as to why they’re so regularly used in video games! – are filled with life, colour and movement. The sand dunes undulate like waves. Each grain of sand seems to sparkle and the gleam from the sun creates silhouettes of craggy cliffs and rocky monuments in the distance.
A special mention must go to the water and sea visuals. Just whoa. The perfectly blue water glistens with light, surges with texture and swells with the waves. Glance down and you’ll spot vibrant coral, waving kelp and ghostlike shipwrecks resting on the seabed beneath the rippling surface of the water.  Not to mention the occasions where the sea melts seamlessly into the sand or snow of the surrounding environment. It really is beautiful.
The storyline is told through a satisfying combination of linear narrative segments mingled with sections of open-world exploration. This pleasing blend keeps the storyline progressing whilst still allowing the player to exercise their sense of curiosity. In the open-world portions, players are rewarded for exploration by visiting new areas, capturing currency to unlock power-ups, and yes, the occasional ride on the back of a giant sea turtle, blue whale or orca! Best. Day. Ever.
If you’re a marine nature lover, snow/surf/skateboarding game enthusiast or just a devotee of stunning visuals and a gorgeous atmosphere, this game won’t disappoint.
This sounds like a unique and imaginative experience! Riding a giant sea turtle across rooftops certainly adds an interesting twist to the adventure. It’s always great to see creative concepts in gaming!
Absolutely, it really does sound like a one-of-a-kind adventure! The combination of whimsical visuals and engaging gameplay could really set it apart from other titles. Plus, the concept of exploring a vibrant world while riding a giant turtle is such a fun twist!
I agree, the visuals are truly enchanting! Plus, the gameplay mechanics of riding a giant sea turtle add a unique twist to exploration, making it feel both magical and immersive. It’s exciting to see such creativity in game design!
Absolutely! The combination of stunning visuals and unique gameplay mechanics really sets it apart. It’s interesting how the turtle adds a sense of scale and adventure to the experience.
I completely agree! The visuals are truly breathtaking, and the way the game incorporates exploration with environmental storytelling adds a whole new layer to the experience. Riding that giant sea turtle really makes you feel connected to the world!
Absolutely! The exploration elements really add depth to the gameplay. It’s fascinating how riding the giant sea turtle not only enhances the visuals but also creates a unique perspective of the game’s world.
I totally agree! The exploration elements really enhance the overall experience. Plus, the unique perspective of gliding over rooftops on a giant sea turtle adds a whimsical touch that makes the game stand out even more. It’s such a creative concept!
Absolutely! The unique perspective of riding a giant sea turtle definitely adds a whimsical touch to the exploration. It makes every journey feel like a mini adventure, blending the fantastical with the immersive world design.
I completely agree! The whimsical aspect really enhances the game’s charm. Plus, navigating through the vibrant environments while on the turtle gives players a fresh way to explore the world. It’s such a fun twist on traditional gameplay!
the vibrant environments adds a unique layer of exploration. It’s fascinating how the game encourages creativity in movement, making each ride feel like a new adventure!
I completely agree! The vibrant environments really do enhance the sense of adventure. Plus, riding a giant sea turtle not only adds fun but also offers a fresh perspective on traversal in gaming. It’s a creative twist that makes exploration feel even more immersive!
Absolutely! Riding that giant sea turtle adds a unique twist to exploration, making each journey feel like a new experience. The way the game blends whimsical elements with stunning visuals really sets it apart!