Thy Sword
- November 14, 2017
- GamePhase
Thy Sword feels more like a follower than a leader in the fantasy game and roguelike space. It does not do anything bad, but it does not do anything out of the ordinary either.
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"Thy Sword" is a hack 'n' slash platformer with roguelike elements, drawing inspiration from classics like Barbarian and Golden Axe. Embark on a quest to defeat the Dark Overlord, battling challenging enemies and epic bosses in procedurally generated levels. Play solo or with a friend in local co-op, where you can cooperate or engage in player vs. player combat. Equip your hero, unlock new characters, and earn achievements in this nostalgic pixel art game.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 4
Windows
Xbox One
PlayStation
Xbox
Reviews
- Thy Sword offers a nostalgic experience with well-crafted retro graphics and satisfying combat mechanics, reminiscent of classic arcade games.
- The game features procedurally generated levels that keep gameplay fresh and engaging, along with a fun card mini-game and local multiplayer options.
- Players appreciate the tight controls and the challenge presented by the game, which rewards skill and mastery over time.
- Some players find the game to be a bit short and lacking in depth, with limited content and variety in enemies and obstacles.
- The difficulty can be punishing, with some players feeling that losing to certain bosses forces them to repeat gameplay unnecessarily.
- There are complaints about the music being mediocre and some controls feeling sluggish when too much is happening on screen.
- graphics18 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are praised for their charming retro aesthetic, featuring well-designed pixel art and a consistent sprite style that appeals to fans of classic gaming. Reviewers highlight the beautiful artwork and the nostalgic feel reminiscent of amiga-era visuals, making it particularly enjoyable for those who appreciate 8-bit graphics. Overall, the visuals contribute significantly to the game's fun and engaging atmosphere, especially in local co-op play.
“Gameplay is tense, there is good feedback, the graphics are gorgeous (at least for retro lovers) and the music is a perfect fit.”
“The aesthetic is pretty solid - they have a consistent pixel style, it's a grungy early PC-era look, but it works, and they run with it.”
“A very nice mix of slash them all/platformer, nice 8-bit graphics, very enjoyable playing this in local co-op... my wife and I love it!”
- gameplay17 mentions
- 59 % positive mentions
- 24 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The gameplay is described as fun, compelling, and well-balanced, with smooth mechanics that enhance the retro experience. Players appreciate the straightforward combat, responsive controls, and predictable enemy behaviors, which contribute to a sense of fairness and challenge. However, the game features a significant setback where losing to a major boss forces players to restart from the beginning, which can be frustrating.
“The moment-to-moment gameplay just feels right and strikes a perfect balance for what the game is intended to be.”
“Gameplay is tense, there is good feedback, the graphics are gorgeous (at least for retro lovers), and the music is a perfect fit.”
“The combat mechanics are simple but responsive, and since enemies have clearly defined and predictable behaviors, you never feel like you get punked by random bad luck. Any failure is your own fault as a player, which is crucial in making a game like this feel fun and challenging, as opposed to just frustrating.”
“The game is good, but if you lose the battle with the spider queen, then you are forced to start the game from the beginning and repeat gameplay (again around one hour).”
“As far as gameplay goes, it's fairly simple and straightforward.”
“The combat mechanics are simple but responsive, and since enemies have clearly defined and predictable behaviors, you never feel like you get punked by random bad luck; any failure is your own fault as a player, which is crucial in making a game like this feel fun and challenging, as opposed to just frustrating.”
- music14 mentions
- 71 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews; while some players praise it as "awesome" and a "perfect fit" that enhances the gameplay experience, others find it mediocre and unremarkable. Overall, the soundtrack is appreciated for its retro charm and fitting nuances, but opinions vary significantly among players.
“Gameplay is tense, there is good feedback, the graphics are gorgeous (at least for retro lovers) and the music is a perfect fit.”
“Soundtrack is great, love the coin-op nuances and gotta say I don't believe it's possible to create better pixel graphics.”
“Really enjoyed the music too.”
“The music is mediocre and I don't care for the SID chip.”
“And the music, oh my!”
- replayability2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the game highly replayable due to the variety of characters and numerous power-ups available, which encourage experimentation and mastery of different strategies. Even completing the game on easier modes presents a challenge, enhancing the incentive to replay.
“I've only beaten it on the easiest mode, which was a challenge itself until I learned all the tricks and enemy patterns, but the different characters and many power-ups make it very replayable.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere is consistently praised for its perfection, with reviewers highlighting an impressive level of detail that enhances the overall experience.
“The atmosphere is pretty much perfect and the level of detail is ridiculous!”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by the clever use of a CRT emulator, which has elicited genuine laughter from players. This element stands out as a particularly amusing feature, contributing positively to the overall comedic experience.
“Special mention to the CRT emulator, made me laugh out loud.”
