Swordship
- December 6, 2022
- Digital Kingdom
Swapping out shooting for dodging, Swordship is a clever score-attack arcade indie title that’s as mechanically solid as it is visually striking.
Get on Steam
Get on Xbox Games Store"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.
Nintendo Switch
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Xbox Series X|S
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Reviews
- Fast-paced gameplay that requires concentration and quick reflexes, making it highly addictive and enjoyable.
- Stylish graphics and a great soundtrack enhance the overall experience, creating a visually appealing and immersive environment.
- Innovative mechanics that focus on dodging rather than shooting, providing a fresh take on the bullet hell genre.
- The game has a short lifespan and can feel repetitive, especially for players not interested in chasing high scores.
- Recurring bugs and clunky design elements can lead to frustrating gameplay experiences.
- Some players may find the difficulty spikes and RNG elements unfair, leading to moments of frustration.
- gameplay31 mentions
- 55 % positive mentions
- 35 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Swordship is characterized by its innovative and fast-paced mechanics, focusing on dodging rather than shooting, which creates a unique and satisfying experience reminiscent of classic isometric shmups. Players enjoy smooth controls, dynamic pacing, and a clever integration of enemy mechanics that enhance the overall fun and challenge, making it a highly recommended title for fans of the bullet hell genre. The game's stylish visuals and engaging progression system further contribute to its appeal, ensuring a thrilling arcade experience.
“Very satisfying gameplay that keeps you on edge with ultra dynamic pacing.”
“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.”
“I like that the game looks like a shoot 'em up, keeping the dynamics but removing the shooting to focus its gameplay on dodging.”
“Swapping out shooting for dodging, Swordship is a clever score-attack arcade indie title that’s as mechanically solid as it is visually striking.”
- graphics27 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 22 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The graphics are widely praised for their beautiful, stylish, and clean art style, with a fun, cartoony aesthetic that enhances the gameplay experience. Players appreciate the slick visuals and responsive controls, which contribute to a satisfying arcade feel, although some note that the user interface could be improved. Overall, the minimalist design and clever use of color help maintain clarity and readability during fast-paced action.
“Beautiful graphics and audio.”
“Gameplay is smooth and the graphics are superb.”
“The graphics are lovely, with limited colors by level, allowing to read the attack patterns easily.”
“If this was in the arcades in my childhood, even with worse graphics and music, it would have eaten a lot of my quarters.”
“An original take on a desperately underused aesthetic (think Wipeout), Swordship expertly executes on a minimalist look, design, and story.”
“[combat-free gameplay is fast and fun, slick movement and creative perks, choice-based progression, bright and stylish visuals].”
- music21 mentions
- 48 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its catchy, techno-futuristic soundtrack that enhances the gameplay experience. Reviewers highlight the excellent sound design, which complements the fast-paced action with fitting sound effects. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature, reminiscent of classic arcade games and effectively contributing to the game's atmosphere.
“The music in this game is really wonderful.”
“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.”
“Great controls, sharp UI, snappy fun music and skill-based progression.”
“Some different music, some different level gimmicks, and some more enemy variability, and it will be fine.”
“If this was in the arcades in my childhood, even with worse graphics and music, it would have eaten a lot of my quarters.”
“The soundtrack is catchy, and I had no performance issues.”
- story12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The story in the game is minimal yet engaging, revolving around the player as a speedboat captain who steals from the rich to give back to society, akin to a modern-day Robin Hood. While the gameplay focuses on a single replayable mission that unlocks new enemies and ships, the narrative is effectively supported by storyboards that maintain player excitement. Overall, the game offers a unique aesthetic and a simple storyline that complements its arcade-style gameplay.
“Story is just what you'd want, simple yet makes you get into being a speedboat captain stealing wares, yet giving back to society like Robin Hood would.”
“Story boards in between levels keep you feeling pumped for the next episode... new ships to unlock.”
“Its take on shmups is unique, its visuals are interesting and its story is just enough to inspire the whole 'be the hero' ethos.”
“Instead of unlocking new levels or content, there's just a single replayable mission.”
“- not much of a story, but it's an arcade game, so whatever.”
“An original take on a desperately underused aesthetic (think Wipeout), Swordship expertly executes on a minimalist look, design, and story.”
- replayability4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game features a single replayable mission rather than multiple levels or content unlocks, which some players find enhances its replayability due to its challenging arcade nature. Overall, while the limited content may deter some, the difficulty keeps players coming back for more.
“Difficult arcade game with great replayability.”
“Instead of unlocking new levels or content, there's just a single replayable mission.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is marred by recurring bugs, including freezing issues and getting stuck in the main menu, which detracts from the overall experience. Additionally, the lack of updates to address these problems further contributes to a perception of mediocrity.
“Recurring bugs (got stuck in main menu 2 times, freezes...), and no updates, makes it a very average experience.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is consistently praised, with users highlighting it as a standout feature that enhances the overall experience, particularly in the arcade genre.
“I would clearly recommend it as a funny arcade game.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users report that the game is well-optimized, experiencing no performance issues during gameplay. Additionally, the catchy soundtrack enhances the overall experience.
“The soundtrack is catchy, and I had no performance issues.”
Critic Reviews
Swordship Review
Swapping out shooting for dodging, Swordship is a clever score-attack arcade indie title that’s as mechanically solid as it is visually striking.
80%Swordship PC Review
Swordship is an arcade title without equal. It innovates in an age old genre, acting as less of an action game and instead, more of a high-intensity puzzle game.
80%Swordship (Nintendo Switch)
The platform and theme are simple, but Swordship is not easy. Its take on shmups is unique, its visuals are interesting and its story is just enough to inspire the whole “be the hero” ethos. If you like dodge-em games this one is a good addition to your game library.
80%
