75
Fans of action side-scrollers will get a kick out of BKS. I just wished the game felt more polished, especially with its controls, but even though the game isn't as memorable as some other side-scrolling classics such as Castlevania, I think it's definitely worth checking out if you have some extra money in your pockets.
80
Black Knight Sword is a little masterpiece by Grasshopper Manufacture.
50
It's not flat-out bad, but it is frustrating, questionably designed, and more than a little boring.
8
For some reason I love this game, it have some problems on the game design side of things but whatever i like 2d scrolling game with great art style and nice combat system.... its a weird game, you love it or not.
7
Being a big fan of Suda51, CEO of Grasshopper Manufacture, the mind behind such games as No More Heroes and Lollipop Chainsaw, I've been looking forward to Black Knight Sword since seeing some small write-ups and a few screenshots a while ago. As a fan, it doesn't disappoint. The stylistic presentation is a wonder, the highlight being the multi-layered, diorama-style field of play that shifts in real-time to new areas and vistas as you progress. The screen is framed by a theatre curtain, which serves to transition between different areas and levels, but more importantly emphasizes the fairytale-like story. It's inobtrusive, and a nice touch, but it would have been nice to have the option to remove it. The Black Knight himself, as well as the enemies he encounters, are all done in a hand-drawn, paper puppet style. The animation can appear jarring at first, but the disjointed nature of movement actually ties nicely into the overall aesthetic. Music is another highlight as every scene is haunted by a subtle, entrancing melody. It's not the type of music for casual listening, but it definitely enhances the bizarre play that is Black Knight Sword. Some sound effects, however, are too obnoxious or piercing to be enjoyed in anyway whatsoever. Another failure of the game, the big letdown, as is with most Suda51 games, is the gameplay. Everything functions well, there's a fair variety to the knight's moveset, the levels have enough secrets to warrant exploring, but none of it is truly compelling. There's no sense of an ultimate goal for much of the game, and the confusing layout of branching levels certainly doesn't help your progress. There's some challenging platform segments, and the combat can be fun, but it always feels just as disjointed as the world itself. However, the story (which needs to be experienced more than explained), presentation, art-style, bizarre humor, music, and the few bright spots in gameplay, all warrant a try for this under-the-radar game. Suda fans rejoice! Everyone else, you've been warned.
Black Knight Sword
Released On:
Dec 11, 2012
Metascore
Mixed or Average
66
User score
Mixed or Average
6.2
My Score
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All Platforms
Metascore
Mixed or Average
23% Positive
6 Reviews
6 Reviews
77% Mixed
20 Reviews
20 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Dec 24, 2012
85
While the journey may be fraught with peril, one cannot help but marvel at how solid the Black Knight Sword feels overall. The gameplay and the dark fantasy themes complement each other very well. The black knight will travel through burning villages to a desert mutated by missile testing, to a monstrous carnival, to a deprived wonderland and will never miss a beat.
Dec 26, 2012
79
Black Knight Sword is quite an enjoyable and unique platformer that is worth a try - it's short but memorable.
Dec 14, 2012
70
Appropriately priced at $9.99, Black Knight Sword isn't a big threat to your wallet, but it's also not the easiest game to push on your friends. Regardless, this is another capable outing from two great studios that just happen to think alike.
Dec 18, 2012
65
Shortcomings aside the unique visual experience that Black Knight Sword offers up is well worth a few hours of your time. At a price tag of $9.99 you certainly can't go wrong; however, just do not expect an experience you will come back to after you have put the game through its paces.
Jan 8, 2013
60
Black Knight Sword seems unwilling to fully commit to making something fun to play above all else. The unforgiving difficulty will likely appeal to some, but for everyone else, take my word for it: You're missing a lot less than you think.
Jan 4, 2013
57
The overall weirdness and distinctive art style keep Black Knight Sword from being another run-of-the-mill action game. Yet the five main levels can be completed within two hours, and while there is an option to continue playing on a more challenging difficulty setting as well as additional challenge-oriented modes, the level design doesn't encourage exploration and there's little interactivity aside from slashing at enemies.
Dec 14, 2012
50
Had the actual gameplay been less clunky, more well balanced, more challenging and less aggressively abusive, Black Knight Sword's sense of style and unique presentation would have been healthy bonuses on top of an already stable foundation. As is stands though, the game's artistic atmosphere and sense of self are all it has going for it, and sadly that's not quite enough.
User score
Mixed or Average
44% Positive
7 Ratings
7 Ratings
25% Mixed
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
31% Negative
5 Ratings
5 Ratings
Jan 23, 2013
8
For some reason I love this game, it have some problems on the game design side of things but whatever i like 2d scrolling game with great art style and nice combat system.... its a weird game, you love it or not.
Dec 16, 2012
7
Being a big fan of Suda51, CEO of Grasshopper Manufacture, the mind behind such games as No More Heroes and Lollipop Chainsaw, I've been looking forward to Black Knight Sword since seeing some small write-ups and a few screenshots a while ago. As a fan, it doesn't disappoint. The stylistic presentation is a wonder, the highlight being the multi-layered, diorama-style field of play that shifts in real-time to new areas and vistas as you progress. The screen is framed by a theatre curtain, which serves to transition between different areas and levels, but more importantly emphasizes the fairytale-like story. It's inobtrusive, and a nice touch, but it would have been nice to have the option to remove it. The Black Knight himself, as well as the enemies he encounters, are all done in a hand-drawn, paper puppet style. The animation can appear jarring at first, but the disjointed nature of movement actually ties nicely into the overall aesthetic. Music is another highlight as every scene is haunted by a subtle, entrancing melody. It's not the type of music for casual listening, but it definitely enhances the bizarre play that is Black Knight Sword. Some sound effects, however, are too obnoxious or piercing to be enjoyed in anyway whatsoever. Another failure of the game, the big letdown, as is with most Suda51 games, is the gameplay. Everything functions well, there's a fair variety to the knight's moveset, the levels have enough secrets to warrant exploring, but none of it is truly compelling. There's no sense of an ultimate goal for much of the game, and the confusing layout of branching levels certainly doesn't help your progress. There's some challenging platform segments, and the combat can be fun, but it always feels just as disjointed as the world itself. However, the story (which needs to be experienced more than explained), presentation, art-style, bizarre humor, music, and the few bright spots in gameplay, all warrant a try for this under-the-radar game. Suda fans rejoice! Everyone else, you've been warned.
SummaryBlack Knight Sword 2D is a side-scrolling platformer from Suda-51's development house Grasshopper Manufacture.
Rated Mfor Mature
Platforms:
- Xbox 360
- PlayStation 3
Initial Release Date:Dec 11, 2012
Developer:
- Grasshopper Manufacture
- Digital Reality
Publisher:
