Introduction
Today we are going to look at a game where you are the blade. That is, if you can even move yourself, why do I say that? Because you’ll face the mother of all janky controls. I think I have never seen such a janky game in a very long time. While this game does seem fun, and I did ask for the key, I was not ready for what I was going to encounter.
What did I think before playing the Lone Blade?
I have reviewed Snake Pass in the past, and that is why this developer contacted me to review this game. It did seem like a fun game. Thus, I wanted to see what it was all about. It did not take long for me to get a key. Quickly, I downloaded the game, eager to see what was awaiting me. The jumping mechanics looked like quite a thrill. Quickly, I went to check the Steam page!
The Steam page
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1724980/The_Lone_Blade/
It all seemed like a fun game where you need to jump around as a sword and poke things. I could already see that this game was going to frustrate me. There are only positive reviews, but most of them have received the product for free. While I have also received this product for free, I will be brutally honest.
Rating
I rated the Lone Blade with a 5.5 before playing.
It did not seem like a game with a lot of substance.
Story
The story is about a greedy man who is turned into a sword and he needs to seek redemption by being frustrated as he jumps around like an idiot as a sword, hoping to even get up on the mountain.
Rating
I rated the story with a 3.0
While the story does seem to be fun, it just makes no sense, there is no clear reason why this blade is alive, no motive, no character development, no regret about past deeds. It is just, plain dull character writing.
Gameplay
The game is all about jumping around, you will need a controller, and then you can jump forward, and swing around. You can even bounce and get stuck in mountains. It all seems straightforward, clear instructions to jump towards the exit. Then, you start playing, that is when things go horribly wrong.
No matter how much I tried, no matter how much I practiced. It was practically impossible for me to even get to the end of the tutorial. With a lot of effort, and restraining my anger to get angry, I continued the game, only to get stuck in the first area since nothing worked as it should. Que the video where I was cursing the game for ten minutes straight.
Rating
I rated the gameplay of the Lone Blade with a 1.5
Why in god’s name are the controls this janky! This is impossible and frustrating!
Sound and Graphics
Graphics
The graphics of the Lone Blade are very glitchy, I have seen a lot of rendering under the ground. But the aesthetics of the first level were nice, I could possibly not get to the second level. It was impossible to climb that mountain, I felt like Sisyphus.
Sound
I have only heard one soundtrack in the whole game, I wonder if there is more, if only I could reach the top of that mountain.
Rating
I rated the sound and graphics of the Lone Blade with a 3.3.
Damn this furious blasted game! I just want to be able to control this thing normally!
What did I think after playing the Lone Blade?
While I did enjoy the premise of this game, I think there could have been some improvements to the control schematics. I have asked a few people I know to try to get through the first level, it all ended up just like me. Everyone got stuck and cursed this sword. No wonder he got turned to stone.
After a few attempts by other people, and my attempts, I decided, this game is just doomed. I usually love these kinds of games. But this game was just, lacking a better word, worthless.
Rating
I rated the Lone Blade with a 2.0 after playing.
Like, what in the hell are we even doing here? No one could even get through the first level.
What are my personal thoughts about the Lone Blade?
Inhale, exhale, and move on.
Rating
My personal rating of the Lone Blade is a 1
Just, damn.
Last Words
Pros
- A fun premise for a game
- The graphics aesthetics are nice
Cons
- Janky controls
- It is impossible to reach the second level
- The graphics glitched a lot, mainly through the ground
- I only heard one soundtrack
- Even with a controller, this game is impossible
- This game is unfair and rage inducing
- The story has no drive or decent character motivation
- No one I knew was able to get through the first level, they all ended up, frustrated.
It might be better to avoid this game, unless you are up for the challenge.
Final Rating
3.1
Please let me know what you think of Lone Blade in the comments!
I hope you enjoyed reading this review, I hope to see you in the next review!
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It a Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy look a like 😉
I did not get over the mountain.
Game looks very simple for my taste
oh dear it’s one of those games :I
Oh dear is right!
Good game
Awesome game and good review!
think i’ll steer clear from this one
Very far away from it, in fact!
This rating…. that means something 🙂 …. looks a bit like Getting over it on steroids… (in a bad way on steroids…) (like a dark souls version of it :D) although i never played it
The janky controls are on steroids!
Usually when a game has this kind of pretty cover art it is probably a hidden gem, this one, not so much.
Seems like a nice concept for a game but looks really difficult.
Meh… feels like a shovelware to me; 3.1 is too generous
The graphics do look nice at some places but that talent could’ve better used to make an open world rpg or an adventure game.
Shovelware, you might be right.
oh boy, just from the pictures I would thought I’d love this one. bu I’ll make sure to avoid it XD
meh
3.3/10
In summary, this game got an OUCH! rating. lol
I haven’t seen any of your reviews go lower than that for a game! That tells us to avoid this one!
There are some games with an even lower rating, but they are rare, I constantly try to look at games with an objective eye, but if you cannot even properly move through the first level, and neither can other people. Then bad mechanics are in place.
Your gameplay video is hilarious! I can see how frustrating it was! What an odd game… It doesn’t start off with any meaningful story explanation and the title artwork looks so beautiful, but the game is not living up to it
It was very frustrating!
another easy pass
The graphic looks good but the game itself is a meh
Thanks for review. You save my controller from breaking.
Noooo, not your controller, luckily we saved it.
It’s really annoying to play 🙂
game looks boring, nothing interesting
Seems like sort of a game meant only for masochists.
Good review! This is the new way to get Excalibur. You need to beat the game to be deemed worthy.
It sounds like a headache for anyone who tries to play it
The headache simulator!
sad to hear its bad, looks like a cool concept
Never seen that game, with some more work would be fun to play for some time
The movement seems super weird.
Tell me about it!
Definitely not for me.
it is good to see some honest reviews, there are so many games, so critical reviews are valued.
This was, brutal!
Awful awful game
Well, thanks for the information 🙂
I wont waste my time then. Thanks for the review though
You are welcome!
let it go to hell such a challenge 🙂
I can feel your confusion and rage building up in that video 😆 This truly looks like the jankiest game I’ve ever seen lol! I think it would break even the most patient person
But who thought a “story” like that would be a cool idea for a video game? I can only imagine what the controls look like, but from your frustrations in the review, it sounds pretty clear.
A half-baked game?
The developers did not agree with my review, maybe I will revisit it one day.