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Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP

76%Game Brain Score
music, story
grinding, replayability
77% User Score Based on 1,928 reviews
Critic Score 70%Based on 1 reviews

Platforms

iPhoneiPhoneMac OSMac OSNintendo SwitchNintendo SwitchPCPCPhonePhoneSteam DeckSteam DeckWindowsWindowsAndroidAndroidLinuxLinuxMobile PlatformMobile PlatformTabletTabletiPadiPad

About

"Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP" is a pixelated adventure game with puzzle-solving elements and a heavy focus on narrative. Players control a wandering warrior on a quest to discover the ancient Sworcery rituals and save the world from darkness. The game features a unique player-driven soundtrack and a minimalistic art style, creating a memorable and engaging atmosphere.

Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP screenshot
Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP screenshot
Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP screenshot
Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP screenshot
Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP screenshot
Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP screenshot
Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP screenshot

77%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,929 reviews
music738 positive mentions
grinding29 negative mentions

  • Incredible soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
  • Beautiful pixel art and visuals that create a captivating atmosphere.
  • Unique gameplay mechanics that encourage exploration and interaction with the environment.
  • Controls are clunky and not well-suited for PC, as the game was originally designed for touch devices.
  • Puzzles can be obtuse and often require trial and error, leading to frustration.
  • The pacing is slow, with a lot of backtracking and waiting for real-time events to progress the story.
  • music
    1,197 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in "Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP" is widely praised as its standout feature, with many reviewers highlighting the exceptional soundtrack composed by Jim Guthrie. The music is described as atmospheric, immersive, and integral to the game's experience, enhancing both the gameplay and emotional depth. While opinions on the gameplay and narrative vary, the consensus is that the soundtrack alone makes the game worth experiencing, often leading players to listen to it outside of the game itself.

    • “Sword & Sworcery was a delight for both the eyes and ears with mesmerizing visuals and music.”
    • “The whole game's sound design is incredibly well made and put together, with the soundtrack complementing the whole ambiance and atmosphere of the game.”
    • “The music is enchanting and plays a significant role in the story, creating an amazing atmosphere with so little material.”
    • “The main selling point - Jim Guthrie's music and sound - I have to admit didn't appeal, firstly, because coming in, I had no idea who he is, and I had to go and listen to some of his music (not really my style, a bit like the Eagles with less passion), but also because with very few exceptions, the soundtrack is ambient or just background noise (i.e. a few looping notes), and the few moments of what I would consider real soundtrack are mostly bland, except for odd, all too brief moments.”
    • “The reviews for this game are mixed, and for good reason, an overly pixelated art style (the main player's head is 4 pixels) and a mostly forgettable soundtrack leads one to the conclusion that this is at best a self-obsessed vanity project, and at worst, a hero-worship project gone far too far.”
    • “For a game that advertises and brands itself off of having Jim Guthrie (who?) composing the game, the sound design and music are nothing of particular note or import.”
  • story
    548 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of "Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP" is often described as intriguing yet vague, blending whimsical elements with deeper themes of self-discovery and sacrifice. While some players appreciate its artistic and atmospheric storytelling, others find it confusing or lacking in depth, with a narrative that can feel more like an interactive experience than a traditional game. Overall, the game is praised for its unique presentation, engaging music, and the emotional resonance of its simple yet evocative plot.

    • “The story takes us on a self-discovery journey as we follow the calling from our tribe and try to regain the trigon powers to set the megabook free.”
    • “It's a game that will stay with you, its music echoing in your mind and its story prompting thoughtful reflection.”
    • “The story is poignant and fascinating.”
    • “The story is 'up to your interpretation' -- meaning there is basically no story and it's up to you to put in the actual work interpreting it.”
    • “The plot follows a bunch of characters that are never really developed on some quest we have no real stake in told through a narrator that sounds like some hipster who really likes Adventure Time.”
    • “The story is vague and obtuse and is a bit pretentious but the music is nice, the art is nice, the style it goes for is nice.”
  • graphics
    437 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of "Sword & Sworcery" evoke a strong divide among players, with many praising its unique pixel art style and atmospheric visuals that complement the game's soundtrack beautifully. While some find the retro aesthetic charming and evocative, others criticize it as dated or unattractive, likening it to early gaming graphics. Overall, the visuals are often described as a key strength of the game, contributing significantly to its immersive experience, despite some mixed opinions on their execution.

    • “Sword & Sworcery was a delight for both the eyes and ears with mesmerizing visuals and music.”
    • “The art style is so simple, yet so beautiful.”
    • “The graphics and music create a pretty atmospheric feeling and are the strong point of this game.”
    • “The graphics are ugly and pixelated for retro nostalgia reasons.”
    • “Graphics are ugly pixel graphics... they might try to pretend this is 'retro' but I don't remember the pixel games of the 1990's having the characters look like demented, strung-out skeksis.”
    • “The graphical content of this game never ceases to disappoint.”
  • gameplay
    414 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP" is characterized by its simplistic point-and-click mechanics, which many players find tedious and repetitive, often requiring backtracking through environments. While the game incorporates unique elements like real-time lunar phases and integrates music into gameplay, the overall experience is often described as lacking depth and engagement, with some praising its atmosphere and art style over the gameplay itself. Players seeking a more traditional gaming experience may find the mechanics frustrating, as the game prioritizes exploration and narrative over complex gameplay challenges.

    • “The gameplay is simple and intuitive.”
    • “The music is absolutely wonderful, and it engages you with the gameplay.”
    • “Amazing gameplay experience with awesome soundtrack.”
    • “The gameplay, if you can call it that, is tedious, arbitrary and mostly just a series of 'guess what the game expects' exercises interlaced with glacial walking.”
    • “The gameplay is basic, but this game is not meant to be a complex game.”
    • “The actual gameplay bored the hell out of me though.”
  • atmosphere
    192 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its stunning visuals, immersive sound design, and exceptional soundtrack, which together create a unique and relaxing experience. Players appreciate the game's ability to evoke a sense of wonder and tranquility, often highlighting the haunting melodies and rich soundscapes that enhance the overall ambiance. While the gameplay may be simple and at times slow, the captivating atmosphere remains the standout feature, making it a memorable and engaging experience for those who value artistic expression in gaming.

    • “The whole game just has this thick relaxing vibe to it that you feel like you are in a zen while playing it, and this atmosphere is what gives the game its own unique identifiable personality.”
    • “The hauntingly atmospheric music and brilliantly minimalist sound design make this wonderful mystical world come to life.”
    • “Sword & Sworcery is a fantastic adventure game, with amazing graphics and sounds, breathtaking atmosphere, and subtle storytelling.”
    • “It's a game built on simple gameplay with just a few simple routines, with a fairly simple story that plays out mostly avoidant of significant twists and turns, and yet it manages to use art and music and dialogue and atmosphere to create one of my favorite video games that manages to stick with me to this day.”
    • “The simple yet beautiful graphics combined with the music creates an eerie atmosphere that doesn't come across properly in the trailer.”
    • “It tries to inspire atmosphere but I didn't feel any emotion to it (except in the beginning when I was still very excited).”
  • humor
    129 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is described as a mix of quirky, self-aware, and sometimes darkly comedic elements, often enhanced by witty dialogue and charming character interactions. While many players appreciate the unique and offbeat humor, some find it hit-or-miss, with certain jokes feeling forced or reminiscent of outdated internet memes. Overall, the humor contributes significantly to the game's atmosphere, making it an enjoyable experience for those who resonate with its style.

    • “Funny, stylish, and short, this is exactly the kind of game I tend to enjoy.”
    • “The dialogue in this game pokes fun at itself and is genuinely funny; I get kind of an Adventure Time feel from it.”
    • “Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP is an addictive and humorous little game.”
    • “It's not funny or clever at all.”
    • “And let's not forget that annoying voice acting of Logfella when he tries to make awkward conversations with you; it's unfunny and out of character, lacking any attempt to sound like an old woodsman and instead sounding like an awkward teenager, which loses any immersion in the game.”
  • emotional
    33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is praised for its deeply emotional storytelling, evocative music, and stunning visuals, which together create a heartfelt experience that resonates with players. Many reviewers noted moments of catharsis, laughter, and tears, highlighting the game's ability to evoke a wide range of emotions through its narrative and aesthetic choices. Overall, it is described as a touching adventure that balances humor with poignant themes, making it a memorable experience for those willing to engage emotionally.

    • “The story is highly emotional, and the storytelling style is brilliant, and also filled with dark humor.”
    • “A bewitching, melodious, yet heartbreaking adventure, but not for the action-starved gamer.”
    • “The music is sublime, the retro graphics perfect, while the game has a great quirky sense of humor and a simple, approachable plot that may have you in tears by its climax if you're willing to emotionally invest in it.”
  • grinding
    30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious and repetitive, with players noting slow movement, monotonous puzzles, and a lack of engaging gameplay. Many reviews highlight the excessive backtracking and arbitrary tasks that contribute to a frustrating experience, making the overall gameplay feel like a chore rather than an enjoyable challenge. While some players appreciate the repetitive nature of certain games, the consensus here is that this title fails to make grinding fun or rewarding.

    • “That being said, this game isn't tedious in the slightest.”
    • “The gameplay, if you can call it that, is tedious, arbitrary and mostly just a series of 'guess what the game expects' exercises interlaced with glacial walking.”
    • “Locations to which repeated travel is needed are placed a maximal distance apart with tedious and identical battles in the middle for no reason other than to stretch out what little content there is.”
    • “40%-50% of the gameplay is slowly backtracking through the same areas over and over again, it's really very tedious and the game's biggest fault.”
  • replayability
    15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game has been described as having limited replayability, with many players noting that it offers a short experience and lacks incentives for multiple playthroughs. However, some reviewers appreciate its artistic qualities and the unique experiences it provides, suggesting that while replay value may be low, the game still delivers enjoyable moments and self-reflection.

    • “Has immense replay value and is good for”
    • “This game actually makes the arguments 'Can games be art?' and 'Are games practical in the real world?' seem like ignorant questions... because this game is art. The consciousness-expanding setting will teach you about yourself and give you moments of self-reflection. A game's value comes down to its entertainment, replayability, and enjoyable memories, and that's why this game gets high marks from me and is worth more than the asking price.”
    • “That said, this game is high-quality escapism and does have replay value (though I haven't done it yet and may not for some time).”
    • “There's pretty much no replay value, but nonetheless it's fun and has its exciting moments.”
    • “I beat the game in the amount of time that I have played it, it has next to no replay value.”
    • “However, it is quite short, with not a whole lot of replayability.”
  • stability
    7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability is mixed, with some users reporting glitches and bugs that can detract from the experience, including issues with sworcery mode and occasional freezes that require replaying sections. However, others have noted that it runs smoothly on certain systems, such as iMacs, indicating variability in performance across different platforms.

    • “So far, it runs great and I have not had any problems on my iMac!”
    • “The game is incredibly stable; I've experienced no crashes or bugs during my playtime.”
    • “I appreciate how smooth the gameplay is; it feels very reliable and well-optimized.”
    • “There are some glitches when I ran the game on my PC that did detract from the experience.”
    • “Sometimes the sworcery mode activation was a bit buggy for me.”
    • “It also freezes sometimes, forcing you to replay a part of the game over again.”
  • monetization
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with some players feeling that it occasionally resembles an interactive advertisement. However, many users express a willingness to support the developers financially, appreciating their efforts compared to mainstream titles that prioritize profit over quality.

    • “Felt like I was watching an interactive advertisement at times.”
    • “I've played this game on iPhone and didn't finish it, so I bought it again to re-experience it and support the developers a little because they deserve more praise and money than those other game producers that make mainstream cash grabs.”
  • character development
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is viewed positively by some, highlighting strong design and emotional depth, particularly in the case of Diddy. However, others criticize the lack of character development overall, noting that it feels minimal and overshadowed by gameplay issues like backtracking and clumsy controls.

    • “The character design is great and really enhances the overall experience.”
    • “The game has a sweet, emotional atmosphere, and the character development is one of the standout features that keeps it as one of my favorites.”
    • “There is a lot of backtracking, the point and click movement can be clumsy at times, there's no character development and it's quite short.”
    • “Diddy's character development in the manual has much more wit than the Scythian's lame attempt at it.”
  • optimization
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization is primarily tailored for touch screens, which negatively impacts the overall experience, particularly for players using traditional controls. Users have noted that the combat system feels inadequate, as it seems designed for two-finger input rather than a more versatile control scheme.

    • “The game mechanics themselves don't do much for me, mainly because it was optimized for touch screens.”
    • “The combat system is deficient as it is definitely optimized for two fingers.”

Buy Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP

4h Median play time
3h Average play time
4h Main story
5h Completionist
2-4h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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