Game Review: GigaSword
While it doesn't reinvent the wheel, GigaSword is a fun enough metroidvania with just the right level of difficulty.
It's very possible that I've led an article off like this before, but there is no shortage of indie metroidvanias on Steam. Because of that, it takes a lot for one to set itself above and beyond the rest, which is exactly what GigaSword did.
Now realistically, GigaSword doesn't reinvent the wheel, and it really does not have to. The world is a combination of standard fantasy tropes with a kingdom of humans who live in the traditional feudal system while hyperintelligent owls guard a mystical crystal in a nearby tower. The humans want it, they invade to steal it, and the protagonist has to enter the tower to put things right using a giant sword bestowed on him by his dying best friend.
The giant sword, otherwise known as the titular GigaSword, is what the majority of the gameplay is centered around. Since the sword has a considerable amount of heft to it, your ability to jump and swim is hindered by holding it, it takes time to swing it so timing attacks is essential, and it is necessary to move throughout the world since it opens doors.
This may seem repetitive because it is not a particularly deep bench of maneuvers required to make it through the game, but there is a certain level of nuance to the mechanics. The combat, while repetitive and minimalistic, can have a certain level of difficulty. The enemy variety is also a bit of an issue because there aren't as many enemy types as would be needed to keep it consistently interesting. The combat also ends up lending itself to more conservative gameplay because the save markers are few and far between, making it a pain to collect up anything you've dropped when you've died in battle, let alone regaining lost progress.
There is also a distinct lack of variety in the puzzles relating to the use of the GigaSword since almost all of them seem to come back to the basic conundrum that the sword is too heavy but you need to get it somewhere high or through water to get to the next progression point. After a certain point, there are only so many blocks to push, rabbits to feed, and elevators to take before it gets repetitive.
The saving grace for GigaSword is the visual aesthetic and the score. Even if the story and dialogue are a little bland and the gameplay is repetitive, the immersive world of the Nestarium is worth exploring. That may be the highlight of the game, and maybe the most overwhelmingly positive aspect of it, but it does salvage an otherwise forgettable experience.
★★★
A copy of the game was provided by Akupara Games for review purposes at no cost.
