Sword of the Sea: A Hidden Gem Worth My Time

I finished Sword of the Sea last night, and wow, what an experience. It’s a small, bite-sized game you can finish in around three hours, which makes it perfect for my current lifestyle. No endless grinding, no wasted filler, just pure, meaningful gameplay.

The first thing that struck me was the stunning art direction. Instead of chasing hyper-realistic textures, the game leans into beautiful environment design and masterful lighting. The opening stage doubles as a tutorial, but honestly, it’s also the most breathtaking part of the game. It immediately gave me strong Journey vibes, familiar yet fresh, especially for anyone who loved that classic.

The storytelling is elegant and optional. You get short cutscenes that never overstay their welcome. If you want to dive deeper, there’s lore tucked away, very much in the style of FromSoftware games. But if you just want the fun of surfing your sword through gorgeous landscapes, you can. At times, it feels like a mix between Tony Hawk and Journey, with way more environmental variety than you’d expect from a game this size.

There are also optional challenges and collectibles. Personally, I skipped the competitive parts since I didn’t want to interrupt the flow, but I did enjoy hunting down boats that lit up when I approached them. I don’t know exactly what they unlock, but the sense of discovery kept me hooked. Hidden treasures and curiosities scattered across the world add replay value if you want to come back later.

By the end, I felt fulfilled, relaxed, and accomplished. Sword of the Sea is a small game, but one with a big impact. It’s proof that interactive entertainment can offer the best kind of escape, a momentary getaway from real-world stress, wrapped in beauty and playfulness.