The Georgian company Half Sword Games created the violent, physics-based mediaeval fighting simulator Half Sword. In order to simulate actual 15th-century battle, the game eliminates scripted combat animations and instead uses weight, momentum, and collision. It has grim, satisfying fights and a severe learning curve.
The System of Combat
In contrast to conventional action games, the movement of your arms is controlled by mouse and keyboard inputs. Every hit, block, and swing is dynamically simulated. This implies that blades interact with limbs, weapons bounce off plate armour, and sustaining weapon motion is essential to life.
The Mechanic of Half-Swording
As implied by the title, the game makes extensive use of the traditional “half-sword” method. Players can move their off-hand to the middle of the blade when battling armoured opponents. This shortens the weapon’s lever, giving players more stability and enabling them to aggressively jam the blade into the armpits or visors of an enemy’s armour.
The Loop and Progression of the Tavern
Before advancing to competitions, players begin as rag-clad commoners fighting in muck and slums. Players return to a central tavern hub in between games to manage their mercenaries, swap equipment, and heal. To advance and equip your fighter, you must steal armour and weapons from dead enemies.
The Mechanic of the Abyss
The game transports your soul to “The Abyss” after your character is killed in combat. You have to combat the zombies of the adversaries you have already killed in this spooky purgatory. Your mercenary will have another opportunity to compete in the tournaments with their current loadout if they successfully complete this obstacle.
Gameplay Loops and Progression
- Commoner-to-Knight: To get money, fame, and better gear, you must survive brutal fights and competitions as a lowly fighter.
- Looting and Economy: You can outfit your own fighter to increase mobility and defence or steal defeated opponents’ equipment to sell to traders.
- Permadeath: Since death in a real simulation is final, you will always have to start over if you fall in the arena.