Sometimes the best adventures don't come wrapped in blockbuster budgets or Triple A studios. Sometimes they arrive wearing chunky pixel art, carrying an oversized sword, and asking you to save the world in just a couple of hours.
Thy Sword is one of those games.
On paper, it doesn't sound particularly revolutionary. It's a side-scrolling hack-and-slash with procedurally generated levels and a simple fantasy story. It's territory I'm confident we've all explored before. But every once in a while a game comes along that reminds you why those classic ideas became classics in the first place. For me, Thy Sword isn't trying to redefine the genre. It's simply trying to be fun.
And from my perspective, it largely succeeds.
A Kingdom Worth Fighting For
Don't expect an epic fantasy novel here. The story in Thy Sword is about as straightforward as they come. An evil overlord has shattered the White Crystal into five pieces, unleashing monsters across the land. Your job is simple: recover the fragments, defeat the Dark Overlord, and restore peace. That's really all the motivation the game, and you as the player, needs.
I actually appreciate when games know not every adventure requires pages of lore and lengthy conversations. Thy Sword gets you into the action quickly and lets the gameplay do the heavy lifting. The few instances of dialogue, mostly spoken by the various boss monsters you encounter, are well written, sometimes, humorous, and straight to the point. Sometimes simple is exactly what makes an epic quest memorable. Especially if you have some fun along the way.
Live by the Sword... Literally
Combat is where Thy Sword earns its keep. At first glance, it seems pretty simple. You have a light attack, a heavy attack, the ability to block, some magical abilities, and eventually access to ranged weapons like a bow.
The heavy attack, though. This quickly became my favorite move, and mechanic in the game. Sure, it has a lengthy wind-up that leaves you vulnerable if you miss, but connecting with it usually means an instant kill, and often a rather spectacular decapitation of your enemy. Better yet, defeating enemies this way rewards you with extra coins so your incentivized early to use it often, and use it well.
Soon, you'll learn to use this and other attacks strategically for the best results and the best payout. Suddenly combat becomes less about wildly swinging your weapon and more about timing your attacks correctly. You'll start baiting enemies into favorable positions, lining up heavy attacks, and taking satisfaction in perfectly executed strikes. This never got old for me and the payoff of more loot was a welcome reward for the effort. And you'll need that loot to purchase the best advantages, of you'll enter the end game at a disadvantage.
There's a surprising amount of strategy hiding beneath what initially looks like a straightforward hack-and-slash title. My early experiences with combat were some of my favorite because they were the moments when I realized Thy Sword had me hooked. What started as simple curiosity quickly turned into a desire to see everything the game had to offer.
Every Hero Needs Better Gear
One thing I wasn't expecting to enjoy as much as I did was the progression system. Every enemy you defeat and every barrel you smash helps fill your coin purse. Back in the village, those coins can become new weapons, defensive equipment, healing items, and other useful upgrades.
The inventory in the village shop rotates frequently, which creates an interesting dilemma. Do you spend your money now? Or do you gamble that something even better might appear later?
Sometimes that gamble doesn't pay off. There were several occasions where I couldn't quite afford an item I wanted, only for it to disappear from the shop before I had another chance. It could be frustrating... But it also made every shopping trip feel meaningful, and reminded you that every coin was worth the effort to claim.
Even some of the game's optional "risk-versus-reward" mechanics are enjoyable. Chasing down ravens carrying treasure chest keys or trying your luck at blackjack for extra money adds just enough variety to keep things interesting between battles. Good luck may put you at a massive advantage. Bad luck may make your current run almost impossible. I loved the option, even if I'm personally not much of a gambler.
A Quest That Doesn't Overstay Its Welcome
One thing I appreciated most about Thy Sword is that it knows when to end. My first playthrough clocked in at roughly two hours. Normally that might sound like a criticism to some. For me, I think it's one of the game's biggest strengths. Not every game needs to demand forty or fifty hours of your time. Sometimes it's refreshing to sit down over the course of a weekend, finish an adventure, unlock a few new characters, and walk away feeling completely satisfied.
Sure, some repetition starts creeping in toward the later stages, but the game wraps up before that repetition becomes exhausting. That restraint deserves praise. Certainly keep this in mind as you're looking for something to play. A couple hours of your time in this world are hours well spent.
The Final Blow
Thy Sword isn't trying to compete with the biggest games on the market. Instead, it focuses on delivering satisfying combat, beautiful pixel art, rewarding progression, and a compact adventure that's easy to pick up and play, and even easier for me to recommend.
It probably could have used a little more variety, and I wish the ranged combat felt stronger. But those complaints never overshadowed what the game consistently does well.
If you're a fan of retro-inspired action games, old-school hack-and-slash combat, or simply enjoy discovering indie titles that fly under the radar, Thy Sword deserves a spot in your collection.
Sometimes the simplest adventures are the ones we remember most. And this one was absolutely worth raising my sword for.
BONUS: Want to see Thy Sword in action?
I also put together a full video review where I show off the combat, bosses, progression system, and plenty of gameplay footage. If you'd like to see whether this adventure is right for you, click here to watch the full review on YouTube.
Thy Sword - Review
Thy Sword is a retro inspired hack and slash platformer with a bit of rogue-like elements sprinkled on top. Developed by GamePhase and Ratalaika Games, Thy Sword is a great game if you're looking for something engaging, not too involved, and downright fun. Gather around the campfire my friends and c...
"Thy Sword - Title Track" from Thy Sword (2017, Gamephase) Downloaded via KHInsider. All rights belong to Gamephase.