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81
MONSTER
Surf across magnificent waves of sand and glistening waters on an epic quest to restore a lost ocean. From the visionary artist behind ABZÛ, The Pathless, and Journey, Sword of the Sea is an atmospheric surfing adventure with fast movement inspired by classic skateboarding and snowboarding games.
Game analysis
Monster Scorecard
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Story and Narrative
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72
"Sword of the Sea" impresses with its unique environmental storytelling and visual artistry, exploring themes like rebirth and ecological restoration. Critics praise its poetic approach but lament its narrative depth, character development, and predictability, deeming the story thin and emotionally lacking. While the game's world is visually stunning, many reviewers feel it falls short of delivering a fulfilling, impactful narrative experience.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY
Story Score
72
Positive Reviews (80-100)
35%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
65%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.
TL;DR
story and narrative
"Sword of the Sea" impresses with its unique environmental storytelling and visual artistry, exploring themes like rebirth and ecological restoration. Critics praise its poetic approach but lament its narrative depth, character development, and predictability, deeming the story thin and emotionally lacking. While the game's world is visually stunning, many reviewers feel it falls short of delivering a fulfilling, impactful narrative experience.
Gameplay Mechanics
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83
Sword of the Sea impresses with its smooth movement and exploration-focused gameplay, earning praise for its intuitive surfing mechanics and Hoversword traversal. Critics celebrate its immersive experience but highlight issues like a shallow trick system and a lack of challenge, which can lead to repetitiveness and confusion. Despite these flaws, the game stands out as a relaxing yet exhilarating adventure for players looking to dive into its vibrant world.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY
Gameplay Score
83
Positive Reviews (80-100)
68%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
32%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.
TL;DR
gameplay mechanics
Sword of the Sea impresses with its smooth movement and exploration-focused gameplay, earning praise for its intuitive surfing mechanics and Hoversword traversal. Critics celebrate its immersive experience but highlight issues like a shallow trick system and a lack of challenge, which can lead to repetitiveness and confusion. Despite these flaws, the game stands out as a relaxing yet exhilarating adventure for players looking to dive into its vibrant world.
Graphics and Visual Design
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93
TL;DR: Sword of the Sea is a visual masterpiece, with critics lauding its stunning landscapes and vibrant colors as its greatest strength. The game's art direction evokes old European comics, creating an immersive experience across diverse environments. However, minor critiques point to inconsistent tones and a max resolution of 1080p, which may disappoint some players. Overall, the visuals significantly elevate the gameplay, solidifying Sword of the Sea as a standout title in gaming.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS
Visual Score
93
Positive Reviews (80-100)
93%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
7%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.
TL;DR
graphics and visual design
TL;DR: Sword of the Sea is a visual masterpiece, with critics lauding its stunning landscapes and vibrant colors as its greatest strength. The game's art direction evokes old European comics, creating an immersive experience across diverse environments. However, minor critiques point to inconsistent tones and a max resolution of 1080p, which may disappoint some players. Overall, the visuals significantly elevate the gameplay, solidifying Sword of the Sea as a standout title in gaming.
Music and Sound Design
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87
Critics are praising Sword of the Sea for its exceptional sound design and music by Austin Wintory, enhancing gameplay and atmosphere. The soundtrack is described as immersive and emotionally resonant, though a few minor criticisms exist regarding tonal inconsistencies and occasional audio issues. Overall, the soundscapes are a standout element that significantly enriches the gaming experience.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN
Sound Score
87
Positive Reviews (80-100)
92%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
8%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.
TL;DR
music and sound design
Critics are praising Sword of the Sea for its exceptional sound design and music by Austin Wintory, enhancing gameplay and atmosphere. The soundtrack is described as immersive and emotionally resonant, though a few minor criticisms exist regarding tonal inconsistencies and occasional audio issues. Overall, the soundscapes are a standout element that significantly enriches the gaming experience.
Voice Acting
NA
TL;DR
voice acting
Description unavailable
Technical Performance
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76
"Sword of the Sea" boasts solid technical performance on PS5, praised for smooth gameplay with only minor issues. However, PS5 players report frame rate drops in intense moments. The PC version is more mixed, with some experiencing stutters and frame rate problems, indicating a need for better optimization. Overall, while enjoyable, the game could improve its PC performance for a consistently great experience.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE
Tech Score
76
Positive Reviews (80-100)
59%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
35%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
6%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.
TL;DR
technical performance
"Sword of the Sea" boasts solid technical performance on PS5, praised for smooth gameplay with only minor issues. However, PS5 players report frame rate drops in intense moments. The PC version is more mixed, with some experiencing stutters and frame rate problems, indicating a need for better optimization. Overall, while enjoyable, the game could improve its PC performance for a consistently great experience.
Replay Value
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71
"Sword of the Sea" has mixed reviews on replay value. Critics praise its New Game Plus mode and exploration elements, which encourage repeat play. However, concerns arise about its short four-hour duration, lack of depth, and repetitive gameplay, potentially limiting long-term engagement. While it offers replayable features, many reviewers feel its appeal may not be strong enough for multiple playthroughs.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE
Replay Score
71
Positive Reviews (80-100)
38%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
58%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
4%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.
TL;DR
replay value
"Sword of the Sea" has mixed reviews on replay value. Critics praise its New Game Plus mode and exploration elements, which encourage repeat play. However, concerns arise about its short four-hour duration, lack of depth, and repetitive gameplay, potentially limiting long-term engagement. While it offers replayable features, many reviewers feel its appeal may not be strong enough for multiple playthroughs.
Overall Verdict
81
MONSTER
OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION
Monster Score
81
Positive Reviews (80-100)
91%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
9%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.
TL;DR
Sword of the Sea impresses with breathtaking visuals and engaging gameplay, earning praise for its artistic design and exploration focus. Critics celebrate its emotional depth, with some awarding perfect scores. However, it suffers from weak narrative depth, limited replayability, and performance issues. Despite these flaws, it stands out as a commendable PS5 title, especially for fans of Giant Squid, offering a captivating experience worth trying despite its shortcomings.
81
MONSTER
Reviews
69 reviews found100
But Why Tho?
Aug 19, 2025
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Sword of the Sea is a masterful blend of exploration, gameplay, and thematic depth, earning a perfect score for its impactful message and engaging mechanics.
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100
PlayStation LifeStyle
Aug 18, 2025
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Sword of the Sea is described as a beautiful experience and one of the best games on PS5, encouraging players to dive back into the game for more.
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100
KonsoliFIN
Aug 18, 2025
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Sword of the Sea is a unique masterpiece that combines the best ideas and visual brilliance of Giant Squid, offering a beautiful and simple experience that may not appeal to everyone.
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100
Eurogamer
Aug 18, 2025
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Sword of the Sea is a beautifully designed game that emphasizes exploration and movement, providing a rewarding experience without the pressure of failure.
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90
The Indie Informer
Aug 18, 2025
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Sword of the Sea is praised as one of the year's best games, balancing aesthetics, storytelling, and gameplay effectively.
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