Bleak Sword DX is a simple action game, but its combat is simply sublime and it had a whole lot of enemy and level variety to keep things interesting.
Starting at $9.99Buy now

"Bleak Sword DX" is a challenging, retro-style action adventure game with strategic combat. Wield a mighty sword to battle through a dark and ominous realm, facing off against grotesque creatures and bosses. The DX version offers updated visuals, more content, and improved gameplay over the original.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows

Reviews

83%
Audience ScoreBased on 363 reviews
gameplay44 positive mentions
grinding12 negative mentions
  • Bleak Sword DX features stunning pixel art and a unique aesthetic that enhances the gameplay experience.
  • The combat system is engaging and satisfying, with a good balance of challenge and skill required to master parrying and dodging.
  • The game offers a variety of levels and enemies, keeping the gameplay fresh and interesting throughout the experience.
  • The RPG elements, such as leveling up and item management, can feel pointless and lead to frustrating gameplay, especially when players lose items and experience upon death.
  • The difficulty spikes can be overwhelming, particularly in later levels, making it feel punishing rather than rewarding.
  • Some players may find the combat mechanics inconsistent, particularly with hitboxes and the effectiveness of parrying against certain enemies.
  • gameplay100 mentions

    The gameplay of the game is characterized by its engaging hack-and-slash mechanics, which are easy to learn but difficult to master, providing a satisfying experience through precise parrying and counterattacks. However, many players criticize the inclusion of unnecessary mechanics, such as a flawed upgrade system and a parry mechanic that becomes less relevant as the game progresses, leading to a more repetitive dodge-and-attack style. Despite these issues, the unique art style and addictive gameplay loop keep players invested, although some find the overall experience marred by frustrating design choices and a lack of variety in combat options.

    • “Excellent gameplay and an engaging visual style.”
    • “It's a hack and slash with very responsive and precise mechanics; it's unforgiving but fair; it's easy to understand but difficult to master.”
    • “The variety in the game's bestiary allows for a varied combat experience and keeps the gameplay really engaging.”
    • “Bottom line: it's a 2D top-down parry/counter game that has layers of unnecessary presentation and pointless game mechanics heaped on top.”
    • “One thing that disappointed me is that the game has a parry mechanic, but unfortunately you are likely to use it more at the beginning of the game; after you progress, a lot of enemies will begin to deliver attacks that you must dodge because you can't parry them, and about 70% of enemies deliver such attacks in the game.”
    • “However, the devs somehow saw fit to include a lightning mechanic in the game which either makes the screen fully black or fully white for a couple of seconds at a time, every 30-40 seconds or so, and during those seconds you have no idea what's going on.”
  • graphics89 mentions

    The graphics of "Bleak Sword DX" are widely praised for their unique and minimalist art style, combining a retro aesthetic with modern design elements to create an immersive atmosphere. Players appreciate the game's pixelated visuals, which evoke nostalgia while enhancing the combat experience, although some find the enemy distinction challenging due to the art style. Overall, the graphics contribute significantly to the game's charm and appeal, making it a standout title in the action roguelike genre.

    • “Beautiful graphics, fantastic sound design, and an overall good time.”
    • “Frankly put, Bleak Sword is really aesthetic—the random flashes of thunder, the eerie sway of the camera over the hand-crafted diorama below, the 3D/pixel mix, the satisfying kill animations and the music all add to make an immersive grimdark fantasy setting where the hero must surmount impossible odds to rid the world of the evil which plagues it.”
    • “The graphics and gameplay are absolutely engaging; I remember seeing the trailer for this and being on the fence on if this was something I'd sink a lot of time into, but the battles are fun, the graphics just the right side of retro, and the bleakness reminds me a lot of Mork Borg.”
    • “So there are tons of enemy types, but a lot of the humanoid enemies are a tad difficult to distinguish because of the art style.”
    • “There's more to be desired from the art style in my opinion, but it works for what it is!”
    • “Perhaps there is a telegraph, but the overly-pixelated graphics mean I couldn't see it.”
  • music29 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread praise for its immersive quality and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, with many reviewers highlighting Jim Guthrie's soundtrack as a standout element. The combination of intense and somber melodies complements the game's aesthetic, creating a captivating experience that resonates with players. While some critiques mention repetitive themes, the overall consensus is that the music significantly elevates the game's emotional impact and enjoyment.

    • “But I was able to overlook this nuisance because the game is so good at what it does, the atmosphere of the desolated, dangerous world is spectacular, and the soundtrack complements it with ease.”
    • “Frankly put, Bleak Sword is really aesthetic—the random flashes of thunder, the eerie sway of the camera over the hand-crafted diorama below, the 3D/pixel mix, the satisfying kill animations, and the music (done by Jim Guthrie!) all add to make an immersive grimdark fantasy setting where the hero must surmount impossible odds to rid the world of the evil which plagues it.”
    • “The music is immersive, the monsters sound great, and the battle sounds are satisfyingly impactful.”
    • “Aesthetically awesome game with good enemy variety and one of the most braindead, plodding main themes to an OST I have ever heard.”
    • “I love the blocky red/white/black visuals, the soundtrack and the general feel of the combat, but it also regularly gets on my nerves with some cheap deaths and a block/parry animation that feels a bit too unresponsive to be completely reliable.”
    • “One of those games (akin to below and Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP) in which the music of Jim Guthrie makes everything several orders of magnitude better.”
  • story20 mentions

    The game's story is described as simple yet engaging, providing a sense of purpose and atmosphere through quick cutscenes and a generic but epic fantasy setting. Players appreciate the progression through battles against towering foes, and while the narrative may not be groundbreaking, it effectively complements the gameplay. Post-story content, such as endless mode and boss rush, adds further enjoyment and replayability.

    • “Story and cutscenes were epic.”
    • “I'm not that much into games without a good excuse to play, and this game has an interesting story. Of course, nothing to go crazy about, but at least it gives me some purpose to see what is next.”
    • “The simple story and quick cutscenes help create an atmosphere of generic but epic fantasy that I really enjoyed.”
    • “Tall, lumbering monstrosities that dwarf you in sheer size and strength in which you must do battle with them as a means to progress with the game and the story.”
    • “Even if the story wasn't there, the combat would keep me going to the end.”
  • atmosphere16 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its stylish, minimalistic art and pixelated graphics, which create a captivating and immersive world. The soundtrack enhances the experience, complementing the desolate and dangerous environment, while the overall design fosters a sense of epic fantasy. Players appreciate the combination of strong visuals, engaging gameplay, and a robust enemy variety that together contribute to a top-tier atmospheric experience.

    • “But I was able to overlook this nuisance because the game is so good at what it does, the atmosphere of the desolated, dangerous world is spectacular, and the soundtrack complements it with ease.”
    • “The lofi look and pixelated graphics create an amazing atmosphere to an already addicting gameplay.”
    • “The art style is very cool, the music and atmosphere fit perfectly.”
  • grinding12 mentions

    Players express frustration with the grinding mechanics, noting that the game heavily emphasizes repetitive tasks over engaging content, with only a small portion dedicated to lore. The loss of items upon failure forces players back into grinding, making the experience feel tedious and unfulfilling. Additionally, the mechanics designed to encourage healing through grinding further detract from the enjoyment, leading to a perception of the game as a "grindy loveless chore."

    • “There is nothing to the game other than 2% lore and 98% grinding.”
    • “Well, what was a fun fast-paced adventure became a grindy loveless chore.”
    • “It's very hard even on normal, and while it's still possible by farming permanent upgrades, playing very patiently and using recovery items, it's still way too annoying to be fun.”
  • replayability10 mentions

    Overall, "Bleak Sword DX" offers high replayability due to its challenging gameplay and multiple difficulty levels, making it engaging for players seeking to improve their skills. The game is designed for quick sessions, providing a satisfying experience that encourages repeated play despite some minor flaws.

    • “So even with these harsh things, I do recommend the game; it has a couple of flaws, but overall the replayability is high for me, it's quick and fun.”
    • “Pretty fun one-sitting game with a fair amount of replay value and difficulty scaling.”
    • “Replayability and difficulty - there's higher difficulties to learn if you're up for the challenge.”
    • “Overall, Bleak Sword DX is a very compelling game; it's hard but satisfying to play, and there is a lot of replayability in it.”
  • stability2 mentions

    The game experiences occasional issues, bugs, and glitches, particularly with pad controls, which can affect overall stability.

    • “There are some occasional issues, bugs, and glitches with the pad controls at times.”
    • “I frequently encounter bugs and glitches that disrupt the pad controls.”
    • “The stability of the pad controls is inconsistent, with frequent issues and glitches.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    Players express that the emotional aspect of the game evokes a sense of adventure and anticipation, suggesting that it effectively engages them from the outset and promises further exploration and experimentation throughout the experience.

    • “It's early in the experience, and it made me feel like the game would continue to experiment, as if I was on an adventure.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Buy Bleak Sword DX

Play time

3hMedian play time
3hAverage play time
3-3hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

Similar Games