SWORDCAR
- November 2, 2023
- SpaceMicroscope Studios
- 8h median play time
Get on Steam"SWORDCAR is a single-player racing game with stellar mechanics, offering around 6 hours of playtime. As a gore-covered automotive combat game, players master physics-based combat, pull off devastating drifts, and cast punishing spells to crush a hellish company metropolis and defeat its CEO. The game features an array of vehicles, medieval weaponry, and diabolical blood magic while being pursued by terrifying gore-powered machines."
Mac OS
PC
Steam Deck
Windows
Reviews
- The game features a unique and fun concept of combining driving mechanics with sword combat, providing an enjoyable gameplay experience.
- The controls, while initially challenging, become satisfying and allow for skillful play, making it rewarding once mastered.
- The visuals and overall atmosphere are appealing, with a stylish art style and engaging enemy designs that enhance the experience.
- The game currently lacks content, with a very short campaign that can be completed in under an hour, leaving players wanting more.
- The soundtrack is limited, featuring only a few short loops that can become repetitive and detract from the overall experience.
- The controls can feel loose and unpolished at times, making it difficult to navigate and execute moves effectively during combat.
- gameplay17 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 35 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The gameplay is widely praised for its fun and engaging mechanics, combining high-speed racing with soul-like combat elements that create a unique and addictive experience. While the core mechanics are well-executed and enjoyable, some players noted issues with boss health and camera angles, suggesting areas for improvement. Overall, the game offers a visually striking and fast-paced experience that many find compelling and recommendable.
“While it needs fine tuning, the core gameplay succeeds impressively.”
“The core gameplay is awesome and the concept is super fun and videogamey in the best way.”
“Borderline stupid (in a good way) premise delivered through a mechanically solid, full throttle gameplay and visually unhinged, bloody, synthwave-y presentation.”
“The game feels like it doesn't stack its mechanics until the last boss, as of writing this review.”
“Bosses have too little health for you to need to learn their mechanics.”
“I completed the game in just under 30 minutes with the starting car; I love the mechanics of drifting sort of being your attack, and I can see it being an easy to learn, hard to master sort of thing.”
- music11 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players praising the quality of the single track but expressing frustration over its repetitive nature, as it loops after just a few seconds. While the fast-paced, cyberpunk metal style is appreciated, players are calling for a more varied and longer soundtrack to enhance the overall experience. Overall, the consensus is that the game has potential but urgently needs additional music to avoid monotony.
“Fast action, cyberpunk metal soundtrack; it's early access, so not many features yet, but what's here is awesome!”
“Add in a Devil May Cry-like stylish meter and a metal soundtrack, and this game is everything I never knew I wanted.”
“The soundtrack is great; I wish there were more songs!”
“The music is the worst thing about this game; it feels like a 5-second riff on repeat for 20-30 minutes.”
“All it needs is a soundtrack that isn't a loop of the same 3 seconds of audio.”
“This game seems like it could turn into something very special, but it very much needs a more varied soundtrack.”
- graphics6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's graphics feature a vibrant cel-shaded art style that enhances its cool aesthetics, with impressive flame effects and blood visuals adding to the overall atmosphere. While the flashy visuals are generally well-received, some particle effects, particularly during the final boss encounter, could benefit from refinement to better match the game's artistic style. Overall, the graphics contribute significantly to an engaging gameplay experience.
“Very flashy and appealing visuals.”
“The toony cel-shaded art style looks great, especially with the flame effects coming off of the tires and the blood dripping off of the car as you speed down the highway.”
“The visuals and overall atmosphere drew me in immediately, and the gameplay more than delivered; I would definitely recommend this!”
“Love the visuals.”
- story3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The story mode can be completed in under an hour, indicating that players are engaging with a very early access version of the game. Despite its brevity, users report a satisfying experience, even for casual gamers.
“The biggest thing is that I have completed the released story in my 0.9 hours of playtime at the time of writing, so if this interests you, you're buying into a very early access.”
“I played through the story in one quick sitting and was not disappointed.”
“The biggest issue is that I completed the released story in just 0.9 hours of playtime at the time of writing, so if this interests you, you're buying into a very early access.”
“It took me a little less than an hour to complete the released story mode, and I'm admittedly a casual when it comes to these sorts of games.”
“I played through the story in one quick sitting and was not impressed.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the game to be humorously entertaining, describing it as a "dumb little funny game" that exceeds expectations despite its poor controls. The lightheartedness and comedic elements contribute positively to the overall experience.
“I still think this is a dumb little funny game, but it's a good one.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
While the emotional impact of the game is generally strong, some players feel that the final boss's visual effects detract from the overall experience, as they clash with the established art style.
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's visuals and overall atmosphere are highly praised, effectively immersing players and enhancing the gameplay experience. Many reviewers recommend it for its captivating ambiance.
“The visuals and overall atmosphere drew me in immediately, and the gameplay more than delivered; I would definitely recommend this!”
