Sword of the Sea stands out as one of the most remarkable releases of 2025. This is not just a game; it’s an audiovisual journey that touches the heart before the eyes. Here’s our full Sword of the Sea review.
Every now and then, we need a simple, soothing game that relaxes the mind while dazzling the eyes with a calm, artistic experience. Sword of the Sea is exactly that—a game that’s not just another addition to Giant Squid’s library, but arguably the studio’s finest work to date. Blending the essence of their previous titles like Abzû and The Pathless, while borrowing inspiration from Journey (2012),
A Mysterious Yet Poetic Story
The game sets you on a symbolic journey across a barren world that has lost its oceans. You awaken as a mysterious figure, revived from slumber by a single drop of water, tasked with restoring life to a land silenced and consumed by ruin.
The narrative is told entirely through visuals—murals, ruins, and temples—echoing the style of Journey and Abzû. Epic moments unfold when giant sea creatures like whales and sharks join your quest, adding drama and wonder to the tale. Near the finale, you face the source of the corruption that drained the world dry, in a breathtaking climax of music and imagery.
At roughly 2–4 hours long, the story is concise yet fulfilling. After completing it, a New Game Plus mode unlocks, offering fresh challenges like speed counters and trick systems, extending replay value and adding depth beyond the initial run.
Simple but Brilliant Gameplay
The gameplay of Sword of the Sea thrives on simplicity infused with creativity. At its core lies the Hoversword—not just a tool for travel, but the heart of the entire experience. It allows you to glide effortlessly across sand, snow, and ruins in smooth, flowing motion that feels like a dance with the environment. Collecting ocean seeds gradually restores water and marine life, transforming the barren desert into a living world full of new paths to explore.
Combat isn’t part of the formula. Instead, the focus is on exploration and environmental puzzles. Each stage introduces fresh ideas that encourage you to think differently about how to use your Hoversword.
For completionists, the game features collectible gold scattered throughout its stages. These can be offered to a side character who unlocks new Hoversword abilities, such as acrobatic moves or special techniques that expand traversal variety. Coupled with New Game Plus, there’s plenty of incentive to replay for 100% completion and trophies.
The most dramatic gameplay moments arrive when you ride massive sea creatures like whales or sharks. These sequences don’t just break up the flow; they create jaw-dropping spectacles that blend traversal, puzzles, and cinematic wonder into one.
Stunning Visuals Powered by Unreal Engine
Built on Unreal Engine, Sword of the Sea offers a visually unforgettable experience. It doesn’t chase realism; instead, it embraces a stylized artistic direction that balances elegance with simplicity, creating a living painting in motion.
The visual DNA of Abzû and The Pathless is clear, yet the influence of Journey remains at the forefront. The result is a world that seamlessly combines desert sands with ocean depths, land with water, embodying both contrast and harmony.
Visual variety keeps the journey fresh: majestic snowy mountains, glowing volcanic depths, and mysterious ruins each tell their own silent story. The final stage feels like a grand recap, pulling together the journey’s themes in a climactic visual symphony.
Music That Breathes Life Into the Journey
The soundtrack is integral, shaping the tone of every moment. Calm melodies accompany serene gliding, while sweeping orchestral crescendos elevate dramatic sequences, such as riding sea creatures or reaching a chapter’s end.
Once again, legendary composer Austin Wintory (Journey, Abzû) delivers a masterclass in interactive music. Every note syncs perfectly with gameplay, turning your movements into a symphony of motion and sound. The result is a rare fusion where gameplay, visuals, and music merge seamlessly into one artistic flow.
Sword of the Sea Review Final Verdict
Sword of the Sea is a unique experience that blends art and play into one mesmerizing package. It doesn’t aim for realism or combat but instead focuses on the meditative act of gliding across sand and water with the Hoversword. Every frame and every note feels designed to stir emotion, making the game as much a piece of art as it is interactive entertainment.
While short, its replayable New Game Plus mode and artistic depth make it worth revisiting. More than just a game, Sword of the Sea is a visual and musical poem—one to be lived, not just played.
Don’t forget to check:
