Unleash a New Emotional Journey with Sword of the Sea
Sword of the Sea promises to revive the emotional magic that Journey delivered a decade ago With a unique approach to gameplay mechanics and UI, it may be the closest we've come to replicating the idiosyncratic experience of Journey
There are few games that can match the emotional impact of Journey. Even 10 years after its release, nothing quite compares to the unique experience it provides. With its absence of UI, unorthodox mechanics, and unexpected emotional depth, Journey remains a singular masterpiece.
During the May 2023 PlayStation Showcase, Giant Squid, the studio founded by the creators of Journey, unveiled their latest project, Sword of the Sea. The similarities to Journey were immediately apparent, though Giant Squid has also released a handful of other titles with similar themes, such as Abzu and The Pathless. However, Sword of the Sea returns players to where it all began: the desert.
How Sword of the Sea Compares to Journey
The art style is the most obvious point of comparison between Journey and Sword of the Sea. Sword of the Sea employs the classic Giant Squid style seen in all of their titles, with a desaturated, matte finish, minimalist yet grandiose level design, and atypical camera work. The style is not only pleasing to the eye but also functional, as it encourages players to explore the world and engage with their surroundings. Journey's art style has aged well and serves a similar purpose. While some might view Journey as a walking simulator, its simplicity allows players to immerse themselves fully in the mystery and exploration. Sword of the Sea, on the other hand, offers a more involved gameplay experience while still delivering the emotional journey found in Journey.
Sword of the Sea's central gameplay mechanic is surfing. The game's trailer showcases a player elegantly navigating through sand dunes, executing a front flip, and performing tricks in a half-pipe-like structure. From the first glimpse, it's evident that Sword of the Sea possesses the same captivating quality and emotional resonance as Journey, but with a more unique and intriguing movement mechanism. Since the game's landscape is constantly undulating in a wave-like motion, even the sand dunes, players can surf their way through the entire experience.
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In Sword of the Sea, players will embark on a captivating, introspective journey, much like Giant Squid's previous games devoid of dialogue. As the Wraith, players will endeavor to revitalize the barren desert landscape, transforming it into vibrant, aquatic environments. The game's trailer showcases the Wraith's ability to interact with different areas, bringing them to life and turning them into thriving marine worlds.
Sword of the Sea is a unique game that combines the exploration of a harsh desert landscape with the underwater setting of games like Subnautica and Abzu. In this game, players must navigate the ever-shifting liquid landscape while avoiding dangerous creatures that inhabit the desert. The gameplay is reminiscent of the popular title Journey, and fans of that game will likely enjoy Sword of the Sea.
Although details about the game are still relatively scarce, the trailer suggests that players can expect an emotionally engaging experience from Giant Squid. As with their other titles, such as Abzu and The Pathless, Sword of the Sea is more than just a fun surfing game. Players should prepare themselves for a potentially heart-wrenching journey as they explore this unique and intriguing world.
