Mode Played & Completed: [*Normal*] [*Hell Mode*]

Acquired via: Full Purchase

Time spent: Over 10hrs

PRESENTATION:
In taking into consideration that this is a first gen game launched within the first 10 months of the PS3's cycle, I'd have to give this game nothing less than top marks in this field. Everything thing from the menu screen and theme musical score to the delivery of the story was top notch and a very good start to a new intellectual Property.

Character models and environments were stunningly presented and drip with eye poping quality. The first impression you get from the opening scene is that you're more than likely going to find at least the general presentation of the game enjoyable and compeling. I cannot say enough good things about this field in Heavenly Sword.

RATING: - ON FIRE

For explanation of ratings click here - http://chubear.gametraile...=5495

GRAPHICS:
This is another field Heavenly Sword thoroughly shines in. Again, for a first gen game, this game's graphical look is simply breath taking at times. There's so much richness in the quality of the design of the Characters, their clothing, the art decor on floors etc.
Waterfall effects are stunning and the camera does a very good job at times to show off the distant environments of which the draw distance is remarkable.

No need to ramble on and on; I trully don't think a normal rational being would have any issues at all with the look of this game.
The only gripe I can speak off (and this is almost nic-picking) is that though the main character's hair was rendered beatifully, it did have a sort of blocky look to it at times and I feel it should have flowed a bit better.

RATING: - RED HOT

SOUND:
Yet another top notch field for Heavenly Sword. One word that springs to mind for the sound in this game is Crisp. From the Clanging of swords and spears in battle to the "shuuwish" of an arrow in mid flight, everything is done with remarkable clarity and I appreciated the little things about this feature.

Though the general sound in the game is fantastic, it is further augmented by utterly stella voice acting and is probably the best I've heard in video gaming in my life time. [-] did an exceptional job with the character King Bohan and is the best in a cast of actors that were all already in a supreme realm where video game voice acting is concerned. An outstanding theatrical piece worthy of any exhibition performance weather it be in a video game, movie or theatrical play.

RATING: - ON FIRE

GAMEPLAY:
Ok, we've come to the meat of this review. You play as a female heroine named Nariko for about 5/6th of the game and you follow her through her persuit in the game's story line which I've already stated that I found stella.
You'll also get to play as another character named Kai for a good chunk of the game as this character has her own missions. The character also has a very different and intriguing gameplay mechanic to Nariko called "TWING TWANG" and I must say both it and the character are indeed very very charming. The two characters have a bond that you'll follow and discover more of through the game and they are very well used in the story plot.

This game is at it's heart in the hack 'n slash genre but what's impressive about it is that the developers have added a new dimention to how the genre can be played thus infusing it with a much needed (and appreciated) depth in gameplay mechanics. One could play the game like a traditional hack 'n slasher and button mash like crazy, but that individual would be trully missing out on some very sweet gameplay.

The hack 'n slash gameplay - when played the way it's supposed to be - is very methodical and is based off of what your enemies throw at you. There are different "stances" that the character can go into that affects the way they execute their offensive and defence manuvres. It also has a tonne of combos you can choose from and are unlocked as your progress through the game. When played properly, the gameplay can feel very satisfying and it trully enriches your experience.

The other gameplay element - Twing Twang - is totally different and something I enjoyed alot and wanted more of but I'll let you discover what exactly Twing Twang actually is for yourself if/when you get to play the game.

The game is generally challenging and I found that I had to play the game the way it was meant to be played in Hell mode or I feel I certainly would not have been able to beat it if I went the traditional way of button mashing. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience with the game and found it loads of fun... especially Twing Twanging.

RATING: - HOT

REPLAYBILITY:
All in all, the gameplay is great but the game it's self doesn't have much in the way of replay value. There are only two modes in the game and no online or multiplayer component however, so the gameplay doesn't expand much after the single player. Playing through both modes of the game ran me about 15hrs or so and all of it dripping with quality.

The Hell mode is very challenging and kept me engaged for a long time but I did find that the unlockables in the game weren't neccessary at all seeing as you could download even more stuff, the actual game didn't have, off of the PSN store so it added nothing to the replay value.

RATING: - TWO THUMBS UP

VERDICT:
Though the replay value isn't high, it still is very good and the time spent with the game is absolute quality from start to finish. This is a great start to a new intellectual property and I for one welcome more of it in the future.

***RED HOT***