Sword of the Sea

About Sword of the Sea

Sword of the Sea drops you into a desert where sand flows like water. Giant Squid, the team behind Abzû and The Pathless, built this 2025 adventure for PC and PlayStation 5. You play as the Wraith, a resurrected figure tasked with restoring life to a dead world. Your primary tool is the Hoversword, which feels like a mix of surfing, skateboarding, and snowboarding. You glide over shifting dunes to reach submerged ruins and ancient shipwrecks. The story unfolds as you explore these lost tides of the Necropolis of the Gods while trying to bring fish and creatures back to life. It is an indie action title focused on movement and atmosphere rather than combat.

Gameplay

Minutes in this game revolve entirely around momentum. You strap onto the Hoversword and carve through the desert terrain, treating sand dunes like waves. The controls feel responsive, letting you build speed to catch air over obstacles or slide down steep slopes. A typical session involves racing toward distant ruins, solving light puzzles hidden inside sinking tombs, and dodging massive leviathans that patrol the area. You navigate shipwrecks and petrified battlefields by maintaining flow rather than stopping. The game mode is strictly single player, so there are no multiplayer distractions. You collect creatures to restore the environment, which changes the landscape as you progress through the levels.

What Players Think

Players on PlayPile are enjoying this ride with an average playtime of 14 hours. Our community data shows a completion rate of 78%, suggesting most people stick around until the credits roll. The overall mood is positive, with users frequently tagging it as "satisfying" or "chill." IGDB ratings sit at 80 out of 100 based on 37 user reviews, indicating solid approval. Critics and fans alike praise the movement system, though some note the story feels thin compared to the studio's previous work. Review snippets often mention the physics feel great, but a few users wish for more combat encounters. The achievement list is modest, with only 15 trophies available to unlock during the campaign.

PlayPile's Take

Sword of the Sea is worth buying if you want a short trip focused on movement mechanics. The price point is standard for indie titles, and the 15 achievements offer just enough grind without feeling tedious. Giant Squid nailed the Hoversword controls, making every run feel fluid. However, the lack of combat might disappoint those who want more action against the leviathans. This is not a game for people seeking deep lore or complex RPG systems. It works best as a relaxing 12-hour experience to unwind after work. Buy it if you liked Abzû and just want to surf on sand without any pressure.

Storyline

In a world where the terrain flows in waves, ride the Hoversword to speed over shifting seas of sand. It controls like a snowboard, skateboard, and hoverboard all in one. Build momentum to achieve great speeds and catch big air as you explore skatepark-like ruins, lost in the tides of the Necropolis of the Gods. The Hoversword embodies the feel of snowboarding and skating games, but in an entirely new context of adventure. You are the Wraith – resurrected in a desolate world and tasked with restoring life to it as you explore submerged ruins and the vibrant, varied cultures within. Surf through sinking tombs, mysterious shipwrecks, and petrified battlefields – and bring giant shoals of fish and creatures back in the process. But beware- this land is also home to massive leviathans that will stand in your way.