Sword of the Sea

Movement, meaning and mindfulness combine in Giant Squid's latest, a game of free-form expression and flow.

A short but spectacular surfing game, Sword of the Sea's atmosphere and movement propel it where its simple and repetitive puzzles can't.

The boundaries between what is air, water, and land are totally blurred.

It moves at the pace of a magical swordsperson speeding across sand dunes on a floating blade at 170 miles per hour (a speedometer unlocks after you beat the game), and it never gives you a reason to look away. I wanted to feel more from the story, perhaps only because every other element of the experience elevated it so high that my expectations were right up there with them.

Sword of the Sea certainly won't have the same impact that Journey did all those years ago, but in so many ways, it feels like a direct evolution of that legendary experience. It's a beautifully smooth game, set across a series of gorgeous environments that are a joy to explore. While its more game-y elements do feel a tad forced, they're not enough to distract from what is a sumptuous adventure.

The latest title from the Abzu and Pathless developers, Sword of the Sea is a must-play meditative game that won't take up much of your time.

A great journey from its beginning to its end, it is one of the most beautiful games on PS5 with fast, fun, and smooth gameplay mechanics, along with a great artistic direction, breathtaking scenery that catches the eye, an excellent technical level, and very good replayability.

When it's flowing, Sword of the Sea is unlike anything else this year. Part skate park, part dreamscape, part living painting.

Behind this visually stunning game lies an astonishingly emotional story that is gripping even without any spoken dialogue. The relatively short playing time makes it perfect for a quick, intense session. However, thanks to the metrics and collectibles, it also offers incentive for further runs. Anyone who enjoyed the visuals of predecessors such as ABZÛ, Journey, or The Pathless will already have Sword of the Sea on their radar. But this game can also be warmly recommended to everyone else.

Sword of the Sea is a visually stunning and atmospheric game, incorporating some of the most flawless water graphics and satisfying sound effects found in games today. With a heart-warming narrative, fun snowboard-style tricking, rewards for those who love exploration, and the occasional ride on the back of a marine animal, this is an experience to be savoured.