Sat 5 May 2007
Technology is constantly evolving and in the case of Heavenly Sword, it shows how much consoles have progressed through the years. Sony’s banking on this emotionally charged title to showcase just what PS3 can do. The game focuses on Nariko, a fiery red-haired heroine, embark on a quest for vengeance against an invading King and his army. The story builds around the ancient Heavenly Sword, which once belonged to a powerful deity. It can never be wielded by a mortal without it slowly but inevitably draining their life-force. When the invading King (played by Andy Serkis) destroys the warrior clan that guards the Heavenly Sword, the clan leader’s daughter, Nariko, takes up the sword in a desperate fight for survival. Nariko must now pay the ultimate price as she embarks on one last mission of vengeance against the King before her life is finally overtaken by the omnipotent Heavenly Sword.
Andy Serkis, famous for his roles as Gollum in “The Lord of the Rings” and Kong in “King Kong,” stars as the villain, King Botan in Heavenly Sword. He has made a lot of contribution towards the character development, writing, casting, directing and performance on this title. As far the gameplay is concerned, it can scale up from sophisticated one-on-one encounters to one-on-many, where enemies employ intelligent squad-based dynamics, right up to the confrontation against battalions. The game’s physics boast some dramatic sequences such as allowing players to sweep debris against opponents, kick tables to halt an oncoming surge of fighters, or throw bodies into other enemies using “aftertouch” controls. Heavenly Sword will bank on a wide range of weaponry including rapid fire crossbows and massively damaging bazookas. Sony promises a blockbuster hit in September 2007.