To Carry a Sword

About

To Carry a Sword is a single player role playing game with medieval and historical themes. It was developed by We Three Nouns and was released on February 14, 2022. It received positive reviews from players.

Become the guard of a medieval caravan in a journey where the social connections you make are just as important as the money. In this roleplaying game, help the people who hire you in ways far beyond swinging a sword and scaring bandits for them, including tending to their animals and telling stories to their kids. Strategically plan your route across a procedurally-generated world, taking advan…

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84%

Audience ScoreBased on 19 reviews

emotional1 positive mentions

graphics3 negative mentions

Unique narrative-driven RPG focusing on human relationships and moral ambiguity rather than power fantasies.
Strong, immersive writing and storytelling with meaningful player choices impacting caravan dynamics.
Simple hand-drawn art style complements the reflective tone and supports narrative without distraction.

Repetitive and slow-paced gameplay with procedural generation leading to less engaging, sometimes samey content.
Combat mechanics are simplistic, occasionally buggy, and feel underdeveloped compared to narrative systems.
Lack of visual polish and deeper gameplay systems, making it less appealing for players seeking action or complex mechanics.

gameplay
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
46%
27%
The gameplay emphasizes storytelling and human dynamics over complex mechanics, resulting in a functional but simple system that may feel repetitive and underdeveloped to some. While it lacks the depth and refinement of more combat-focused RPGs, it offers a rich, immersive experience for players who prioritize narrative and atmosphere over fast-paced or mechanically intricate gameplay.
- “This focus on human dynamics gives the game a depth that extends beyond its mechanics.”
- “The tension comes more from the context of these encounters than from the mechanics themselves.”
- “While it may not appeal to everyone, particularly those seeking fast-paced gameplay or deep mechanical systems, it provides a rich and rewarding experience for players who value storytelling and immersion.”
- “The developer chose not to do the job of a real game developer and create meaningful bespoke levels, narrative-based gameplay progression, and so on.”
- “There isn't a lot to do as the core mechanics of the game are do a caravan trip, rest, or slowly level up abilities, rinse, repeat.”
- “There are also areas where the mechanics feel less developed than the narrative.”
story
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
34%
33%
The story is praised for its focus on interconnected smaller narratives that create a rich, immersive world, appealing especially to players who value storytelling over fast-paced gameplay or complex mechanics. While some encounters may feel challenging, the overall narrative experience is engaging and rewarding.
- “The result is a game that feels less like a series of missions and more like a collection of interconnected stories.”
- “Rather than telling a single overarching story, the game weaves together smaller narratives that gradually create a richer picture of the world and the people within it.”
- “I enjoy the mid-travel interactions, the different storylines that present themselves, and the overall look of the game.”
- “Final quest mission and three random encounters, I could absolutely do nothing against; in succession, they brought my effort to zero, and that was that...”
- “These issues do not detract significantly from the overall experience, but they highlight the game’s focus on storytelling over mechanical complexity.”
- “While it may not appeal to everyone, particularly those seeking fast-paced gameplay or deep mechanical systems, it provides a rich and rewarding experience for players who value storytelling and immersion.”
graphics
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
20%
60%
The graphics are generally considered lackluster, relying on outdated 2D visuals that feel outdated compared to modern 3D standards. However, the art style still provides enough character to support the game's tone despite its visual simplicity.
- “While it does not aim for visual spectacle, the art style provides enough character to support the tone of the game.”
- “The game features really lacklustre 2D visuals (does the developer not know 3D graphics became mainstream in the mid-1990s?).”
- “Gamers don't spend thousands of dollars on gaming rigs and the latest 3D graphics cards to play 2D games.”
- “Even mobile phones and game consoles can do 3D graphics now.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's writing is a standout feature, effectively delivering strong emotional impact and deep thematic resonance.
- “The writing is one of the game’s strongest elements, carrying much of the emotional and thematic weight.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere is richly developed through extensive textual world-building, with each event adding depth and creating a strong sense of place. This detailed narrative approach effectively immerses players in the game's environment.
- “The world is built through a large volume of text, with each event contributing to a broader sense of place and atmosphere.”