Skip to main content

Swordship

Swordship Game Cover
78%Game Brain Score
gameplay, graphics
replayability, story
87% User Score Based on 128 reviews
Critic Score 35%Based on 1 reviews

Platforms

Nintendo SwitchXbox Series X|SPCPlaystation 5Playstation 4Xbox OneXboxSteam DeckWindowsPlayStation
Buy Nowfrom $9.90
Buy NowGet on Steam Buy NowGet on Xbox Games Store
Swordship Game Cover

About

Swordship is a single player survival racing game with a science fiction theme. It was developed by Digital Kingdom and was released on December 5, 2022. It received negative reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

"Swordship" is a single-player Science Fiction Arcade game with excellent gameplay, phenomenal graphics, and a good soundtrack. Players must dodge enemy attacks and trick them into destroying each other while delivering containers to upgrade their ship or improve their score. By beating their best score and outsmarting enemies, players can unlock new content.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
Swordship screenshot
Swordship screenshot
Swordship screenshot
Swordship screenshot
Swordship screenshot
Swordship screenshot
Swordship screenshot
Swordship screenshot
Swordship screenshot
Swordship screenshot
Swordship screenshot
+9
Skip User Reviews

87%
Audience ScoreBased on 128 reviews
gameplay20 positive mentions
stability3 negative mentions
  • Swordship features a unique gameplay mechanic where players must dodge enemy attacks and use them against each other, creating a fresh take on the arcade genre.
  • The game boasts a striking visual style and an engaging soundtrack that enhances the fast-paced action, making each run feel dynamic and immersive.
  • With a fair difficulty curve and the ability to unlock various upgrades and ship variants, Swordship offers significant replayability and a rewarding sense of mastery.
  • The controls can feel clunky and imprecise, particularly when using a keyboard, which may lead to frustration during gameplay.
  • Some players find the game overly challenging, especially the final boss, which can feel like a slog due to its length and difficulty spike.
  • The game's structure may feel repetitive to some, as it lacks a more extensive narrative or varied content beyond the core gameplay loop.
  • gameplay
    47 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of Swordship is characterized by its innovative mechanics that focus on dodging rather than shooting, creating a fast-paced and engaging experience. While the game features a visually striking design, opinions are mixed on its execution, with some praising its tight controls and replayability, while others criticize it for prioritizing style over substance. Overall, it offers a unique arcade experience that may appeal to players looking for a challenging and dynamic gameplay loop, though it may not resonate with those preferring more traditional action mechanics.

    • “The gameplay is fast-paced and deceptively simple.”
    • “There are no filler mechanics or unnecessary systems—everything feeds into the core loop of risk, speed, and movement.”
    • “Swordship's primary gameplay consists of dodging telegraphed attacks from a fixed camera angle as your 'swordship' barrels ahead until you collect the required number of cargo containers throughout the level, while lining up the enemies' attacks in order to have them accidentally hit one another and cause them to explode.”
    • “There is a good game hidden in here somewhere, but it seems like the GUI is trying to keep the fast gameplay it advertises from you.”
    • “Many of the design choices favor looks while detracting from the gameplay.”
    • “There is a main problem with the gameplay missing something where it doesn't feel complete; the game is focused on dodging and making enemies attack themselves, but it feels very basic.”
  • graphics
    27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their clean, minimalist art style, featuring bold colors and sharp lighting that create a vibrant, futuristic atmosphere. While the visuals are described as stylish and easy to read, some users noted issues with UI elegance and gameplay mechanics that detract from the overall experience. Overall, the aesthetic is considered a standout feature, contributing to an engaging and immersive gameplay experience.

    • “It uses a clean, minimalist art style with bold colors, sharp lighting, and strong contrast to create a futuristic, almost abstract world.”
    • “Despite the minimalism, the aesthetic has personality, and the environments feel alive and urgent.”
    • “The graphics are lovely, with limited colors by level, allowing to read the attack patterns easily.”
    • “Swordship is no exception to the rule, equipped with a pack of simple but quite vibrant graphics and little-seen game mechanics.”
    • “If this was in the arcades in my childhood, even with worse graphics and music, it would have eaten a lot of my quarters.”
    • “Visuals, music, design.”
  • music
    23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising its dynamic and engaging soundtrack that enhances gameplay and complements the visuals. However, some players find it repetitive and disappointing compared to the trailer. Overall, the sound design is noted as well-executed, with a blend of electronic and techno elements that fit the game's fast-paced action.

    • “Complementing this visual style is a dynamic and intense soundtrack that adapts to the action, heightening the tension and rhythm of each encounter.”
    • “Swordship has a banging soundtrack of electronic music thumping along which accentuates the rapid pace of the game nicely and the overall sound design is very well done with suitable pangs, explosions, and bursts of speed filling your eardrums.”
    • “I love how everything blends together super well in Swordship, from the low-poly graphics to the feeling of speed, passing through the enemies and their different attack patterns, ending with the upbeat soundtrack that leaves everyone glued to the screen.”
    • “Music is a big letdown, repetitive and nothing like in the trailer.”
    • “Some different music, some different level gimmicks, and some more enemy variability and it will be fine.”
    • “The soundtrack is catchy, and I had no performance issues.”
  • replayability
    9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game offers a decent level of replayability through unlockable upgrades, achievements, and varying difficulty levels, despite its short overall playtime of around 3.5 hours. Players can enjoy a compelling gameplay loop with permanent upgrades and new challenges, although the core experience revolves around a limited number of short worlds and missions. While it may not provide extensive content, the engaging mechanics and variety in gameplay elements contribute to its replay value.

    • “There are a decent amount of unlocks from reaching higher scores and for performing certain actions a certain number of times, so there is replayability to be had.”
    • “With its sharp design, high replay value, and compelling gameplay loop, Swordship earns its place as one of the more innovative indie releases of recent years.”
    • “Yes, it’s not a big adventure, but the feeling of replayability is quite strong, as there are ship upgrades, new enemies, and even different weather states to unlock.”
    • “Buy it when it's on sale, 20€ is expensive for 3.5 hours of gameplay, but it's fairly replayable once you've completed it.”
    • “Extra: however, don't expect more than 3 short worlds from this game. While it is replayable, it's still a very short game that can be beaten on 'normal' difficulty in less than an hour, but there are difficulties and achievements alongside new squadrons that breathe some life into the replayability.”
    • “Instead of unlocking new levels or content, there's just a single replayable mission.”
  • story
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story is minimal and often considered irrelevant, serving primarily as a backdrop for its arcade-style gameplay. Players appreciate the simple narrative of being a speedboat captain with a Robin Hood-like mission, complemented by engaging storyboards between levels. Overall, while the story may not be the focus, it effectively enhances the experience of unlocking new ships and replaying missions.

    • “Story is just what you'd want, simple yet makes you get into being a speedboat captain stealing wares, yet giving back to the society like Robin Hood would.”
    • “Story boards in between levels keep you feeling pumped for the next episode... new ships to unlock.”
    • “An original take on a desperately underused aesthetic (think Wipeout), Swordship expertly executes on a minimalist look, design, and story.”
    • “Not much of a story, but it's an arcade game, so whatever.”
    • “There is a story, but it is irrelevant.”
    • “Instead of unlocking new levels or content, there's just a single replayable mission.”
  • stability
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Users report significant stability issues, including recurring bugs such as getting stuck in the main menu and frequent freezes. The lack of updates exacerbates these problems, leading to an overall average experience.

    • “Recurring bugs (got stuck in the main menu twice, freezes...), and no updates make it a very average experience.”
    • “The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable at times.”
    • “I encountered multiple stability issues, including random disconnects and lag spikes that ruin the gameplay.”
  • humor
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is highly recommended for its humor, particularly as a funny arcade experience that adds to its overall enjoyment.

    • “I would clearly recommend it as a funny arcade game.”
  • optimization
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is well-optimized, as users report no performance issues, allowing for an enjoyable experience alongside its catchy soundtrack.

    • “The soundtrack is catchy, and I had no performance issues.”
    • “The game runs smoothly on my system, even at high settings.”
    • “I appreciate how well-optimized the gameplay is; it never lags or stutters.”
Skip Critic Reviews

35%Critics’ scoreBased on 1 critic reviews
Skip Game Offers

Buy Swordship

5h Median play time
5h Average play time
5-5h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs
Skip Videos

Videos

Skip Games Like Swordship

Games Like Swordship

Assault Android Cactus Image
92%1.5kreviews

Assault Android Cactus

2015Arcade Shooter
Nintendo SwitchPlaystation 5Playstation 4+10
Nex Machina Image
89%1.2kreviews

Nex Machina

2017Arcade Shooter
PCTabletPlaystation 5+6
Akane Image
95%2.6kreviews

Akane

2018Casual Hack and Slash
Nintendo SwitchLinuxPC+9
Orbital Bullet Image
84%433reviews

Orbital Bullet

2022Arcade Hack and Slash
Nintendo SwitchPCXbox One+2
Astro Prospector Image
95%1.3kreviews

Astro Prospector

2025Casual Simulation
PCWeb BrowserSteam Deck+1
More games like Swordship
Skip FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Swordship is a survival racing game with science fiction theme.

Swordship is available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5 and others.

On average players spend around 5 hours playing Swordship.

Swordship was released on December 5, 2022.

Swordship was developed by Digital Kingdom.

Swordship has received negative reviews from players and negative reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its replayability.

Swordship is a single player game.

Similar games include Assault Android Cactus, Nex Machina, Akane, Orbital Bullet, Astro Prospector and others.