Swords & Souls: Neverseen
- July 22, 2019
- Armor Games Studios
- 11h median play time
Swords & Souls: Neverseen has a constant stream of humour, looks fantastic and is a breezy ten hours or so of thoroughly entertaining action.
Get on Steam"Swords & Souls: Neverseen" is a single-player RPG with adventure and management elements. Fight monsters, customize your home, and train your gladiator in a humorous and engaging experience. Explore the mysterious Neverseen island, defeat bosses, and upgrade your character's skills and stats. The game features a unique combat system and a variety of weapons and abilities to discover.
Mac OS
Nintendo Switch
PC
Windows
Reviews
- story646 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The story in "Swords & Souls: Neverseen" is generally regarded as simple and light, often serving as a backdrop to the gameplay rather than a focal point. While some players appreciate its humor and character interactions, many find it predictable and lacking depth, with a main campaign that can be completed in about 8 to 12 hours. The narrative features some engaging twists and comedic elements, but overall, it is seen as underdeveloped, with a desire for more substantial storytelling and character development.
“The story is simple and effective, with its greatest strength being that it doesn’t try to be more than what it is.”
“It really picks up near the end, though, as the antagonist is not who they seemed to be, a plot twist that I didn’t see coming at all.”
“The storyline is great and so too is the narration for quests.”
“And the plot itself is so simple and shallow it's a waste even talking about it.”
“The story shows how undeveloped it is even more with the companions in the game, where even after unlocking the last level they don't have any actual story behind them besides some quirky 'ohhh I'm the shy wizard!!' 'I'm the generic thief character!!' 'I'm the generic brute character!!' it would've been so much cooler if there was actually more interaction you could have with them than just hiring them and making them tank damage for you with their 100 million health.”
“The story is very simple like a retro RPG but the game mechanics is at the beginning you are very weak but over time and training you can basically kill bosses without getting hit once.”
- gameplay484 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Swords & Souls: Neverseen" is characterized by a blend of engaging turn-based combat and addictive training mini-games that allow players to level up their characters through skill-based challenges. While many players appreciate the unique mechanics and the satisfying gameplay loop, some criticize the grindiness and repetitiveness of the training system, which can feel tedious over time. Overall, the game is seen as a fun and nostalgic experience, particularly for fans of the original flash game, though it may not appeal to those seeking deeper combat mechanics or a more complex narrative.
“This game is a real fun turn-based fighting game with lots of unique gameplay mechanics and different kinds of weapons to choose from.”
“I really enjoy the concept of leveling up the RPG character through actual training and learning, where both combat and training mechanics are fun, well thought out, and enjoyable.”
“The gameplay loop feels incredibly rewarding, and it almost never feels annoying. If you're not really sure if you should buy this or not, I'd recommend playing the original flash version with the mindset of being pretty much a beta.”
“The training mechanics where your character gets stronger become outright unfair if you have any motoric difficulties and later on in the game give you very little experience points for a lot of concentration and focus.”
“I didn't enjoy the training mechanic, which is a big part of the game.”
“This just artificially extends the gameplay for all the wrong reasons; you are making it a chore to complete.”
- grinding416 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 2 % neutral mentions
- 98 % negative mentions
The game is widely regarded as "grindy," but opinions vary on whether this is a positive or negative aspect. Many players find the grinding enjoyable due to the engaging mini-games and the satisfaction of character progression, while others feel it becomes tedious and repetitive, especially in the endgame. Overall, it appeals to those who appreciate grinding as a core gameplay element, but may deter players who prefer a more streamlined experience.
“Fun and not too grindy”
“Fun and not too grindy”
“However, you find yourself doing tedious minigames for what feels like 90% of your playtime, in order to jack up your stats.”
“This game is very grindy, and requires a lot of time just spending time working on your stats, much more than the actual combat aspect.”
“I really want to like this game, but from what I can tell so far, you will spend about 80% of your time grinding in the training areas to beat the next story area.”
- graphics168 mentions
- 54 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received largely positive feedback, with many players praising the unique art style, smooth animations, and overall visual appeal. The charming environments and character designs contribute to an engaging experience, although some users noted that the graphics may not be groundbreaking or original compared to older titles. Overall, the visuals are described as beautiful and well-executed, enhancing the nostalgic and enjoyable gameplay.
“Neverseen is by far one of the best gaming experiences I have had this year, packed with callbacks to the old version, but with amazing graphics and tasteful additions.”
“Nostalgic gameplay and character design, absolutely beautiful graphics, fun characters to interact with, and incredibly fluid animations.”
“The graphics and animations are so polished and smooth when comparing it to the original free-to-play soul games on other platforms, but for such a low price, I really can't recommend this game enough.”
“The game doesn't look like much due to the art style just being okay to look at, but wow, it's so good.”
“It seems like a really cute game, but I can't play it full screen on my widescreen monitor despite it having the graphics setting for my PC.”
“It's nothing special - it's kind of mobile game level graphics - but it's decent enough to be listed as a pro.”
- music112 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its quality and nostalgic feel, particularly during training sessions where it dynamically reacts to gameplay. However, some critics noted a lack of variety, with many tracks being repetitive or simplistic, which detracted from the overall experience. Despite these criticisms, the soundtrack is generally considered enjoyable and well-integrated into the game's mechanics, enhancing the fun of the gameplay.
“Twisted Innocence is the best soundtrack ever made.”
“To be honest, the arrangement of the music and how it reacts to your training sessions is worth buying it for alone.”
“The story was interesting and amusing for the most part, and the layered escalating music and effects during training made it feel quite intense despite just hitting apples.”
“Music: ok, there is music at least, but most of it is a 10 second loop for a given biome; the only changing one I noticed was for the minigames, but I won't get started with those until the very end.”
“Plainly nothing outstanding, just your basic fantasy-themed music for a forest, a plain, a snowy plain, etc. Most of the time you won't even notice it's there.”
“The soundtrack isn't anything special but it isn't terrible either.”
- humor108 mentions
- 98 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding it charming and entertaining, featuring quirky characters and witty dialogue that elicits chuckles. However, some critiques point out that the humor can feel forced or juvenile, appealing more to a younger audience. Overall, while the comedic elements contribute positively to the game's charm, opinions vary on their effectiveness and depth.
“The combat is fun, the presentation is very charming, and the humor made me chuckle a few times.”
“Funny and innovative mini-games for training your character, witty dialogue, and the charm of a game where you can tell the developers put effort into every piece.”
“The story made me laugh multiple times, the mini-games are super fun and well made.”
“It's painfully unfunny.”
“It's painfully unfunny.”
- replayability54 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed, with some players finding it enjoyable and worth revisiting due to features like endless modes and mini-games, while others criticize it for being repetitive and lacking substantial content for multiple playthroughs. Many agree that while it can be fun initially, it may not hold long-term appeal, especially for those seeking deeper gameplay experiences.
“Worth the price and very replayable.”
“Epic game, challenging, fast paced and replayable.”
“Endless fun thanks to the training mini games, replayable combat areas, combat pet catching and training, and even fishing to build up your aquarium.”
“Endgame doesn't exist & no replayability.”
“Lack of content, lack of replay value, lack of customization/randomization, overpriced for the content you receive.”
“There doesn't appear to be any thought put into replayability; you unlock an endless mode after finishing the campaign with no additional rewards.”
- emotional22 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its heartwarming ending, which resonated deeply with players, eliciting tears and laughter. While some found the story light and humorous rather than deeply compelling, many appreciated its wholesome nature and the feel-good experience it provided. Overall, the game successfully balances fun gameplay with moments of emotional impact, making it a memorable RPG for players.
“10/10 emotional story”
“I cried (at the very end)”
“I laughed, I cried, it was the feel-good story of the year.”
- optimization12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is highly optimized, with users reporting no bugs, crashes, or performance issues such as stuttering or frame drops. The transition to Unity has improved performance, although some players feel that weapon variations could be better balanced. The training minigames effectively enhance player skills without compromising gameplay quality.
“Absolutely zero bugs in my playthrough, and no performance issues.”
“The training minigames get more challenging over time, but they also build your muscle memory, so in the end, your performance is incomparable to the initial attempts.”
“The game now runs on Unity instead of Flash, so there's plenty more optimization and there is no FPS lock.”
“I have not experienced any crashes, stuttering, freezing, frame drops, or anything of the sort.”
“[tldr]: awesome progression sense, music is lively and feels real, money is balanced, no lag/stuttering.”
“- The game now runs on Unity instead of Flash, so there's plenty more optimization and there is no FPS lock.”
- stability10 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players reporting no issues while others experience significant bugs and glitches that can lead to lost progress and game access problems. Overall, it appears to be fairly unstable, particularly in its online flash version.
“Glitches that get rid of all your progress and won't let you open the game, so do not buy.”
“Update: however, it is fairly buggy, unfortunately.”
“Update: as I play more, it's not just a bad metaphor - it's very buggy.”
- character development8 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 13 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
Character development in the game has seen significant improvements, with a shift towards more diverse and engaging NPC designs, moving away from previous stereotypes. Players appreciate the added personality and dialogue of characters, enhancing interaction and immersion. The introduction of a pet system and expanded customization options further enriches the character experience, making it a notable upgrade from the original.
“Nostalgic gameplay and character design, absolutely beautiful graphics, fun characters to interact with, and incredibly fluid animations.”
“I really enjoy the painterly graphics and the actions are smooth, and the animation/character design is very well integrated with the painterly aesthetic of the game.”
“The developers seem to have moved away from the stereotypical character designs of the past, introducing more diversity in the NPCs. They now have more personality and things to say, making the world feel more alive.”
“As for the changes, the dev seems to have moved away from the 'busty woman with cleavage' character design that used to be almost every woman NPC in the flash games. Needless to say, the change is a welcome one, and any women playing this game will likely be thankful to see more diversity in the women NPCs. Speaking of NPCs, they have things to say now and they have a lot more personality than the silent NPCs in the original. Another change is that instead of buying armor, you now get it from loot drops. There is also now a pet system and weapon combos other than a sword and shield. There's also a new counter-attack system which, to be fair, needs some work. To be fair, I'm disabled and so my reaction time isn't the best normally anyway, but I've heard other people complain about this problem too, so it's likely not just me. Personally, I wouldn't bother with the counter-attack system and I'd just block as soon as I see the red circle around my character. There's also a wider range of options for customizing your character. All in all, I'd say it's a good game and an improvement on the original with just enough of the old to help it appeal to the people who played the old flash game.”
“The character development feels lacking, as the NPCs don't seem to evolve or change throughout the game. Their dialogue becomes repetitive, and it feels like there are missed opportunities for deeper interactions.”
“While the game introduces new character customization options, the overall depth of character development is still superficial. The choices you make don't seem to have a significant impact on the story or the characters' growth.”
- monetization6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its lack of monetization tactics, such as microtransactions, loot boxes, and paywalls, reminiscent of classic flash games. While players appreciate the focus on gameplay and dialogue, they note that the game does involve significant grinding.
“No microtransactions, no lootboxes, just gameplay.”
“This game is even cool, the dialogue is nice, the gameplay is cool too, but there is lots of grinding, no paywalls, no DLC, and no microtransactions.”
“It's like one of those good old flash games without these microtransactions and all this crap.”
“This game is even cool, the dialogue is nice, gameplay is cool too, but there is lots of grinding, no paywalls, no DLC, and no microtransactions.”
“No microtransactions, no loot boxes, just gameplay.”
