Official Heavenly Sword Demo Thread + Advice on how to play the demo

[Dahbomb]

This is where everyone will be post their impressions and thoughts on one of the most anticipated demos coming from the PS3, Heavenly Sword. It comes out tomorrow on the PSN.

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Music Rips from the Demo

http://dot50cal.the-horror.com/Heave...en%20Music.mp3
http://dot50cal.the-horror.com/Heave...MB%20Music.mp3
http://dot50cal.the-horror.com/Heave...ts%20Music.mp3


To kick it off, here are some tips on how to play the demo courtesy of Mat-Hart.

Link to Blog entry.

I’m taking a guess that, if you’re reading this blog, chances are you’ve seen the episode of Heroes in which Niki Sanders (aka Jessica) and her son Micah start the show playing Heavenly Sword. Am I right? Well now you can do what they were doing - or at least you can from Thursday July 26, anyway! That’s right: the demo of Heavenly Sword came flying out of Format Testing and is hitting Playstation Network tomorrow - but then you all already knew that, didn’t you? But, if the internet is awash with this news already, why should you read this blog update? Well, it's only here that I can give you guys the inside track to make sure you get the most out of the demo. Spread the word, this is the place to be... So, as I say, what I want to do here is highlight some of the cool bits for you to check out in the demo. Call it a personal 'Mat Hart Guided Tour of the Heavenly Sword Demo' if you like. Sound cool? Our demo opens with Nariko and her adopted sister looking out over an ancient water temple as they begin their search for their father. Kai quickly runs off to hide safely from Bohan’s soldiers and the game begins as Nariko attempts to find a way down to the temple. In a short space of time, you’ll find yourself in the thick of it as Bohan’s soldiers and guards rush in and attack Nariko.

So, things to try out are: - Experiment with stance switching. Nariko can instantly switch between stances using the shoulder buttons. Your standard stance is the Speed Stance, L1 pressed and held is the Ranged Stance and R1 pressed and held is the Power Stance. You’ll find the various enemies react differently to each stance, meaning you’ll need to find different tactics to defeat them with style. - Once you’ve mastered the basic attacks, it's time to try some advanced stuff. Wait for an enemy to attack and hit TRIANGLE to counter their strike. This relies on careful timing but, if you get it just right, you’ll deliver a killing blow to your attacker. - By this time, you should have some Superstyle built up. Look at the HUD element in the top left: the inner dial is your Superstyle bar. Whenever one or more of the gems light up, you have access to a variety of Superstyles that can wipe out dozens (and in later levels, literally hundreds) of opponents in one devastating blow. These moves are stance specific so, at each level, you have a Speed, Power and Ranged Superstyle. Activate these using CIRCLE while in the stance of your choice. Obviously the more gems highlighted, the bigger and more devastating the Superstyle! - Got that nailed? Sweet! Now try using L1+TRIANGLE on someone who's staggered - they'll fly up into the air. If you’re quick enough, jerk the pad up and Nariko will launch into an aerial combo. Try SQUARE + SQUARE + SQUARE to start with but don’t forget that other combos are shown in the pause menu. - On that note, Nariko only has a handful of moves available in the demo, with tonnes more to unlock during the full game. Some of these moves have a little broken shield icon which signifies that this is a Block Breaker move - use these to break down enemy defenses. Hopefully, this’ll give you a good place to start for now. Let me know how you get on - I’d love to hear what you find cool! Over the next few weeks, I’ll try and reveal more of the techniques and tactics you can use in the demo and final game. One final sneaky tip: don’t kill the axeman during the opening hero sequence (i.e. miss the final SQUARE press) as you slide down the ropes. This’ll give you a chance to see what it’s like fighting a tougher character!

Box Art




Eurogamer Preview of Heavenly Sword

Heavenly Sword Gameplay Footage

Heavenly Sword Trailer


Images to make your mouth water




















































Heavenly Sword Controls

[joesmokey]

One more day!

[CO_Andy]

Advice

The frothing demand begins! Nice montage btw.

[Jan]

So is some kind of 'Our game dont suck is you that sucks at playing it. Play it the way I say!'

I heard some dissapointing impression of HS at E3. I am expecting something of the level of Ninja Gaiden. Anything below that will be dissapointing.

[Thoren]

So is some kind of 'Our game dont suck is you that sucks at playing it. Play it the way I say!' I heard some dissapointing impression of HS at E3. I am expecting something of the level of Ninja Gaiden. Anything below that will be dissapointing.

You must learn to walk before you can run. You must learn to run before you can sprint.

[Woakes]

I said "New Wallpaper" about 5 times reading this post

[tribal24]

So is some kind of 'Our game dont suck is you that sucks at playing it. Play it the way I say!' I heard some dissapointing impression of HS at E3. I am expecting something of the level of Ninja Gaiden. Anything below that will be dissapointing.

it wont be ninja gaiden

[Greg]

Even if the game sucks ass, I'm going to love it for the story.

And just for a note, the story is the reason why I just couldn't stand Ninja Gaiden, despite the combat being absolutely amazing. The game was filled with just about every stereotypical element that you'd come to expect from a game in the genre - I just couldn't stand it at all.

[Jan]

So wont be the best action game on PS3? Sigma is wonderful.

[Zeitgeister]

You must learn to walk before you can run. You must learn to run before you can sprint.

But can I with the stickers on?

[Lord Error]

The first real "PS3 Showoff" game. OK, Motorstorm... but no. This is it. The first *real* PS3 Showoff game. This is like MGS2 demo for PS2 or Gears on X360. Can't wait for tomorrow afternoon.

[Dahbomb]

I heard some dissapointing impression of HS at E3. I am expecting something of the level of Ninja Gaiden. Anything below that will be dissapointing.

It's not going to be anything like Ninja Gaiden, so you better just exit this thread. And the game has been getting mostly positive impressions thus far.

[OokieSpookie]

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah *fap fap fap* Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
I think I will have to try the psp method to start the dl while I am at work.

[tribal24]

So wont be the best action game on PS3? Sigma is wonderful.

well its comparable to gow i would saying looking at some vids but tommrow we would tell by the demo>.>

[Dante]

So is some kind of 'Our game dont suck is you that sucks at playing it. Play it the way I say!' I heard some dissapointing impression of HS at E3. I am expecting something of the level of Ninja Gaiden. Anything below that will be dissapointing.

So you heard dissapointing impressions at E3, yet you are expecting Ninja Gaiden? How does that work?

Also lest we forget:

Next-Gen's Top 20 Playable Games of E3 - Number 1!!! - Linky GamePro's Top 20 games - Number 1!!! - Linky Gamespot's People's Choice Awards - Linky IGN E3 Award for Technological Excellence - Winner - Linky IGN E3 Best Artistic Design - Winner - Linky Meristation E3 Best PS3 Game - Winner - Linky GameDaily E3 Nod Award - Linky GameZone - BEST OF SHOW (Overall) - Linky Game Critics Awards - Best Fighting Game - Linky IGN E3 Best Action Game - Runner up - Linky IGN E3 Best Graphics - Runner up - Linky IGN E3 Game of the Show - Runner up - Linky GameSpy Best of E3 2006 - Top 10 Console Game - Linky

[KTallguy]

WTF, why are you making me drool all over my computer.

[C- Warrior]

It's not going to be anything like Ninja Gaiden, so you better just exit this thread. And the game has been getting mostly positive impressions thus far.

Holy shit Dahbomb, if you bothered to do this for HS, I can only imagine the mammoth collossus that will be your DMC4 Demo advice thread with 334,027 words of strats, combos, dmc3 videos, just-frames, pics, themes, and on and on and on and on.

Once again you deliver, nice work.

[Lord Error]

This game IMO has to match up to the GoW greatness much more so than the NGS greatness. Two very different kinds of greatnessessess.

This game needs to be epic, like GoW was, not "just" to have good combat engine.

[Fina1e]

I honestly have no idea why this game is being compared to NG.

[nelsonroyale]

hyped

[vpance]

Combat sounds promising, with the 3 stances with realtime switch, modifiers, block breaking, and button combos. Lets hope the enemy can do the same back to you.

[Dahbomb]

Holy shit Dahbomb, if you bothered to do this for HS, I can only imagine the mammoth collossus that will be your DMC4 Demo advice thread with 334,027 words of strats, combos, dmc3 videos, just-frames, pics, themes, and on and on and on and on. Once again you deliver, nice work.

I was told by Spork to end the Official DMC4 thread for its giganticness. I would've made a huge update for it as well but I wasn't able to. Instead I made a huge thread on IGN for DMC4 awhile ago.

And yes, expect megaton thread for DMC4 demo as well.

[Alpha&Omega]

This guy looks like my grandpa.

[Souther]

Ninja Gaiden is Ninja Gaiden.
God of War is God of War.

Heavenly Sword is Heavenly Sword.

It is what it is.

I'm sure it will kick ass in the end.

[Thunderbear]

So you heard dissapointing impressions at E3, yet you are expecting Ninja Gaiden? How does that work? Also lest we forget: Next-Gen's Top 20 Playable Games of E3 - Number 1!!! - Linky GamePro's Top 20 games - Number 1!!! - Linky Gamespot's People's Choice Awards - Linky IGN E3 Award for Technological Excellence - Winner - Linky IGN E3 Best Artistic Design - Winner - Linky Meristation E3 Best PS3 Game - Winner - Linky GameDaily E3 Nod Award - Linky GameZone - BEST OF SHOW (Overall) - Linky Game Critics Awards - Best Fighting Game - Linky IGN E3 Best Action Game - Runner up - Linky IGN E3 Best Graphics - Runner up - Linky IGN E3 Game of the Show - Runner up - Linky GameSpy Best of E3 2006 - Top 10 Console Game - Linky

Nice, I am really excited! Can't wait to play/experiment.

[C- Warrior]

I was told by Spork to end the Official DMC4 thread for its giganticness.

It's still up.

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthre...highlight=dmc4

But regardless, you make the best official threads, I nominate you for a tag. "Makes best official threads...at 60 fps."

[C- Warrior]

I heard some dissapointing impression of HS at E3. I am expecting something of the level of Ninja Gaiden. Anything below that will be dissapointing.

It seems a lot of Gaffers who played the game at TGS or at E3 -- didn't think too much of the game game (Bebpo, Sp0rsks, tran, among others come to mind) but the main-stream press seemed to enjoy it quite a bit.

[djkimothy]

"You will say WOW mutha ****ka!"

I'm pumped for the demo tomorrow. Even if the combos and move list are scaled back. It will finally be played on my TV and that's what matters.

[Firewire]

Sweet mother of Jebus! Every time I see new pics, this game seems to get better, bigger & more bad ass! I think I love Nariko, seriously you guys check'n out that booty! Damn! This sword swinging beauty will make my PS3 cream I think!

[Lord Error]

It seems a lot of Gaffers who played the game at TGS or at E3 -- didn't think too much of the game game (Bebpo, Sp0rsks, tran, among others come to mind) but the main-stream press seemed to enjoy it quite a bit.

At least as many Gaffers did like it though. Besides, Bebpo doesn't like GoW either, so I think it was par for the course that he wouldn't like this.

[Vyse The Legend]

At least as many Gaffers did like it though. Besides, Bebpo doesn't like anything, so I think it was par for the course that he wouldn't like this.

Fixed.

Most of the impressions I see Bebpo post tend to be overwhelmingly negative.

[krypt0nian]

Tomorrow will be a Wonderful Day.

Goddess of War be mine!

[KTallguy]

I'm really glad that Ninja Theory is taking this risky step to put out a demo for us to play. I wish Lair could do this as well. Obviously if the game isn't good, it'll fall flat on it's face, but putting out a quality demo early could really spur sales.

[kay]

YEAH

[nelsonroyale]

Fixed. Most of the impressions I see Bebpo post tend to be overwhelmingly negative.

hes got some strange taste...but then, dont we all..

[Hunter D]

I got find some way to play this. Can someone do a write up on the gameplay? Not the graphics, everyone knows the game looks great, just the gameplay.

[haunts]

Game Critics Awards - Best Fighting Game - Linky

Huh??

[Goldrusher]

Wow. That's alot of hype.

[FoxhoundNL]

This guy looks like my grandpa.

Tell him to wear a t-shirt and get rid of the haicut, if that's the case.

:)

[OokieSpookie]

My prediction for tomorrow is masses of fappage, some "wow it is really great just not my thing" a couple "I would have liked it if it played exactly like GoW , and random attempts by trolls who do not even have a PS3 to post how much it sucks.

[Firewire]

I'm really glad that Ninja Theory is taking this risky step to put out a demo for us to play. I wish Lair could do this as well. Obviously if the game isn't good, it'll fall flat on it's face, but putting out a quality demo early could really spur sales.

My EB games has over 60 pre-orders for this game. This is one of the most anticipated PS3 games of 2007. Ninja Theory has given us screens, footage & other stuff proving this game is a gem. Reviews have been stellar as well. I see this game easily doing 2 million copies by early next year.

[OokieSpookie]

Huh??

Came from the Ninja Theory site, "linky" is a link on that site where this was copied from.

[Surreal]

We've seen this demo at a few shows before right? Anyone know how long it is?

[jet1911]

At what time is the PS Store updated normally?

[tribal24]

My prediction for tomorrow is masses of fappage, some "wow it is really great just not my thing" a couple "I would have liked it if it played exactly like GoW , and random attempts by trolls who do not even have a PS3 to post how much it sucks.

well yeah the trolls come in when anything exiciting happens to the ps3

[brandonh83]

At what time is the PS Store updated normally?

Around 6pm EST.

[Vyse The Legend]

At what time is the PS Store updated normally?

US store is generally updated at 6pm EST. The UK store tends to be updated much earlier in the day. Not sure exactly when, though.

[FortunateSon]

Can't wait.

By the way, people Heavenly Sword is what it is. Stop comparing it to other games.

[Dahbomb]

I got find some way to play this. Can someone do a write up on the gameplay? Not the graphics, everyone knows the game looks great, just the gameplay.

Yeah, I gave links in the OP. Eurogamer covers it well, I think every site has at least one solid preview on the game play of Heavenly Sword.

Here's one that I recommend.

[haunts]

Came from the Ninja Theory site, "linky" is a link on that site where this was copied from.

And its a fighting game....