Sword of the Sea

Sword of the Sea is everything we could have hoped for, and then some. Offering sights and sounds that most games could only dream of replicating, but with the added caveat of incredibly satisfying and slick traversal that makes moment-to-moment gameplay much more involved and fun compared to its contemporaries. It's an all-killer, no filler experience with jaw-dropping moments at every turn, and a soundtrack that is sure to win a slew of awards in the near future. My only gripe is that the story doesn't offer a grandiose message or hit as hard as I would have liked, relying more on pageantry and spectacle to get by. But, rarely does a game take me aback and thank my lucky stars that the medium of video games exists, and that's why we see this one as one of the standout performers of 2025 so far.

Sword of the Sea is a gorgeous and hypnotic arthouse epic full of incredible set pieces and stunning visuals that sets another high bar for studio Giant Squid as the premiere destination for meditative gameplay.

A beautiful experience from start to finish, Sword of the Sea is one of the PS5’s best games. With its impactful imagery and responsive gameplay, Giant Squid’s third game will make you want to jump right back into New Game Plus to see everything it has to offer. Don’t overlook this exploration masterpiece.

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

Sword of the Sea stands out as both a polished video game and a meditative experience. Its streamlined yet nuanced gameplay, enchanting atmosphere, and evocative soundtrack come together to create a journey that is both relaxing and memorable.

Sword of the Sea is short but stunning, blending gorgeous visuals with smooth gameplay and artistic flair. At just three hours it flies by, but for €25, or free with PS Plus Extra, it’s a unique gem well worth diving into.

Sword of the Sea is an atmospheric adventure game by Giant Squid in which players control the Wraith, a silent, ethereal being riding a mystical hoversword across a desolate world. The goal is to restore life to barren landscapes by activating water seeds, transforming deserts into oceans and reviving flora and aquatic creatures. With fluid movement, exploration-focused gameplay, and a meditative, visually stunning world, the game blends art and action into a serene yet thrilling experience.

With breathtaking artistic design, a sublime Austin Wintory soundtrack, and a unique surfing-inspired movement system, Sword of the Sea delivers a moving sensory journey, though its short three-hour length and limited depth slightly diminish its impact.

A glorious, symphonic, jet-powered hover sword exploration of desert landscapes, filled with secrets and infused with riotously colourful sea life and Tony Hawk style tricks.

Sword of the Sea is the epitome of short and sweet. All aspects of the game's presentation, from visuals to audio design to score, are the best they possibly could be, and they all go hand in hand with the game's exceptionally smooth and engaging traversal mechanics to deliver a peaceful, introspective experience that's more than deserving of just about anyone's time.

Sword of the Sea brought me to tears at one point. It’s not something I can spoil, because I would implore anyone who will ever play this to experience this particular moment without any foreknowledge. It’s a short journey that took me a smidge over three hours to complete, but heck, what a stupidly enjoyable three hours those were.

I love games with this kind of laser focus on good mechanics. Sword of the Sea is all about how amazing it is to surf over sand, seas, and stone with liquid ease. Every subsequent mechanic, every environment, and every plot development springs from this one idea. But because of this, the game is also quite short. You can surf through the whole thing in a handful of hours. This also makes it perfect for speedruns and repeated playthroughs. Frame perfect freaks and other obsessives will be thrilled. But more than that, this is a beautiful world to explore, to simply live in. The music is chill, the vistas are fabulous, and the vibes are immaculate. If you’re looking for a short, singular gameplay experience, Sword of the Sea will be perfect for you.

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.

Sword of the Sea is Giant Squid’s most refined project yet, delivering an emotional and contemplative experience that combines the joyful glide of the Hoversword, stunning art, and a moving soundtrack. While it could take more risks with its maneuvers, its conciseness and focus ensure a memorable title, balancing visual spectacle with the pure pleasure of play.

Skaters and surfers talk about the serenity they feel when everything comes together and they feel as one with their board, and that’s a high you’ll feel often in Sword of the Sea.

Sword of the Sea moves at the pace of a magical swordsperson speeding across sand dunes on a floating blade at 170 miles per hour, and it never gives you a reason to look away.

Giant Squid, make something different next time. I can only hope that the next game from this incredibly talented team will be something no one expects, as I do not think the team can top this formula after Sword of the Sea. This incredibly talented team has proven it can perfect a formula. Now show us what else you can do.

Sword Of The Sea takes the vivid template drawn in previous titles Journey, Abzû, and The Pathless into boundlessly creative new territory. Across eight levels, you traverse landscapes ablaze with life and reawaken vibrant imagined worlds. It’s a majestic, immersive – and mostly convincing – celebration of extreme sports and a reflection on Earth’s disintegrating environment in an era of climate change.

Sword of the Sea is a perfect game to bid farewell to the summer. From start to finish, it offers a refreshing, carefree experience. There’s nothing better than seeing what it feels like to ride a flying skateboard across the desert and most importantly, to step away from the daily grind.

The effect no longer hits the mark as much as at the time of Journey, nevertheless its spiritual sequel captivates us and transports us on a journey sometimes déjà vu, but always sumptuous.

With its lovely music and stunning visuals, Sword Of The Sea is an experience that'll stay with you for a long time; it's quite fun to play, too!

Sword of the Sea is a moving work of art, a visual spectacle capable of taking your breath away. Its gameplay is a delight, as is its soundtrack. However, the story is too basic and fails to connect with the player as much as it should.

Sword of the Sea is a visually stunning but short experience that, despite its length and minor issues, left a strong impression on me.

While a more fleshed-out and better integrated trick system would have benefited Sword of the Sea, it is still sharp enough without it. Barreling down a sandy ravine near a massive dolphin while Austin Wintory’s lovely score plays is engaging on multiple levels. It’s visually pleasing enough to succeed on its atmospheric merits while also being mechanically rewarding due to its smooth, speed-based snowboarding-esque systems. A soothing game with exciting gameplay is an odd match but a pairing that works well, much like a sword that’s been turned into a hoverboard.

Sword of the Sea is an easy recommendation for anyone who enjoyed Journey, Rime, Abzû, and other related titles. Carried by its visuals, which are beautifully accompanied by Austin Wintory's background music, it offers plenty of gameplay enjoyment and hits all the right emotional high points. However, this easy recommendation also comes with an inherent criticism, because it's also a little too predictable and familiar. We are now familiar with the tried and tested journey towards the monolith story and the crises and setbacks it brings before the ultimate triumph. Giant Squid also has new ideas - particularly the way you move through the world - but at times it feels as if they are remixing elements from other titles a little too much. On the other hand, they do so with great flair and unmistakable talent, which ultimately makes Sword of the Sea one of the best games in the subgenre.