75
Bleak Sword DX is a fun game to play 10 minutes before your online meeting, right before class, or while waiting for a friend to play with. Despite its flaws, you should give Bleak Sword DX a chance.
80
Bleak Sword DX could be deceiving with its "mobile game" air, but underestimating the merits of the experience it offers would be a mistake. Frustration is real and there are some limits, but when the essential is so clearly visible to the eye and fascinating, it becomes easy to accept them and enjoy what is there.
80
Of course, it's not a grand adventure with an epic story and powerful character development. Shredding your way through the snazzy dioramas - always careful not to lose valuable experience points, and soon so nimble that you bravely duel bosses yourself - is much more engaging than it might look on pictures, though. No wonder, then, that it had to be Devolver, who snatched up this gem. You'd best do the same!
6
While I was intrigued when I saw Bleak Sword DX's reviews on Steam and Metacritic, it is no more than an action rogue-lite dungeon crawler with uninteresting upgrades and simple items to obtain. Many of the positive comments addressed the game's graphics; and while the art-style is simplistic, it becomes repetitive shortly after running the game for the first time. Listening to it's music and sound effects is like listening to iron being **** by a knife: its music is just a few notes in a loop, it becomes annoying after some time. While it may be interesting to other players, but for me the game-play loop is not fun. It has no potential and even if it will be developed further, they will not be able to fix this ****; the core system of fighting baddies is not innovative in any way, this concept is repeated over and over again in this game. This game will be a mesmerizing experience if you like bad controls and over-simplistic game design. My verdict is that this game is a 6/10 slop game.
8
A remarkable game. Graphics, gameplay and music are extremely cohesive. Few elements driven to their fullest to achieve great depth. Graphics are especially original, beautiful and, well, bleak. Combat done right feels awesome, but be warned: it can be very difficult. Those complaining about threadbare plot should consider that this is a minimalist game, although it's true that it could be deeper. Also, gameplay is not as airtight as it seems (necromancers are a slight blunder, several bosses are underwhelming, parry and counter mechanics can sometimes leave you exposed to attack, punishing you even when doing things right). Overall, however, it is VERY tight.
7
Overall, Bleak Sword DX is a niche game that offers an intriguing blend of retro-inspired gameplay and a dark, moody atmosphere. While it has some shortcomings, such as repetitive combat encounters and a sparse narrative, it manages to capture a sense of nostalgia and uniqueness. If you're a fan of challenging combat and atmospheric, minimalist art styles, Bleak Sword DX might be worth a look. It's not for everyone, but for those who appreciate its style and gameplay, it can be a rewarding experience.
Bleak Sword DX
Released On:
Jun 8, 2023
Metascore
Generally Favorable
78
User score
Generally Favorable
7.5
My Score
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All Platforms
Metascore
Generally Favorable
73% Positive
8 Reviews
8 Reviews
27% Mixed
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Jun 9, 2023
90
Bleak Sword DX is a gorgeous, nostalgic, and clever game for something built in a simplified structural way. More8Bit did a superb job of creating a fast gameplay environment while also maintaining creativity with its enemies and maps. While it may not seem like much, it has some moxie to it. Be forewarned, though, it also contains a heavy amount of frustration.
Jun 8, 2023
90
Bleak Sword DX is an excellent game with its easy-to-learn but hard-to-master gameplay. While things may look bleak, it is never hopeless.
User score
Generally Favorable
36% Positive
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
64% Mixed
7 Ratings
7 Ratings
0% Negative
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
Feb 13, 2025
8
A remarkable game. Graphics, gameplay and music are extremely cohesive. Few elements driven to their fullest to achieve great depth. Graphics are especially original, beautiful and, well, bleak. Combat done right feels awesome, but be warned: it can be very difficult. Those complaining about threadbare plot should consider that this is a minimalist game, although it's true that it could be deeper. Also, gameplay is not as airtight as it seems (necromancers are a slight blunder, several bosses are underwhelming, parry and counter mechanics can sometimes leave you exposed to attack, punishing you even when doing things right). Overall, however, it is VERY tight.
Jun 8, 2023
90
Bleak Sword DX is an absolute treat that takes the core pillars of the soulslike genre and distills them into a wonderfully moreish, action-packed adventure. The narrow focus, coupled with the unforgiving nature of the gameplay and progression loops, may put some off, but not every game has to be for everyone, and I commend the developers for sticking with the vision they clearly had. If, like me, you love soulslikes, but have found yourself feeling slightly alienated due to the scope that some of the genre’s heavy hitters bring, then I urge you to check out Bleak Sword DX and let it get its pixelated hooks into you.
Jun 13, 2023
80
Of course, it's not a grand adventure with an epic story and powerful character development. Shredding your way through the snazzy dioramas - always careful not to lose valuable experience points, and soon so nimble that you bravely duel bosses yourself - is much more engaging than it might look on pictures, though. No wonder, then, that it had to be Devolver, who snatched up this gem. You'd best do the same!
Jun 12, 2023
75
Bleak Sword DX is dedicated to anyone who wants a Dark Souls-like experience in 2D, delivered in small chunks, with good mechanics, hard difficulty, and a grimdark setting and presentation. Fights are very quick, which means it’s easy to play a few in a session just to decompress, without the pressure to make progress or explore some complicated narrative thread. The two new modes added to the game's PC version are good, offering a challenge to anyone who manages to complete the full campaign. But I still believe that any modern video game that emphasizes combat should offer the options to draw in more than just dedicated genre fans. Bleak Sword DX impresses with its minimalist, bite-sized combat but all its other elements could be improved.
Jun 8, 2023
70
Bleak Sword DX is all about sword fighting, dodging, suffering and advancing. It is perfect for your Switch or your Steam Deck.
Jun 8, 2023
60
Bleak Sword DX has its moments. Utilizing the parry system and mastering the stages to take no damage after dying moments earlier makes for some genuinely enjoyable moments. Unfortunately, that’s about where my fun ended. The repetitive structure and increasing challenge fueled by a stamina bar that depletes faster than my 12-year-old dog’s weighed on the experience. There simply wasn’t enough reward for the difficulty, and the retro aesthetic couldn’t do enough to keep me engaged.
Oct 13, 2023
7
Overall, Bleak Sword DX is a niche game that offers an intriguing blend of retro-inspired gameplay and a dark, moody atmosphere. While it has some shortcomings, such as repetitive combat encounters and a sparse narrative, it manages to capture a sense of nostalgia and uniqueness. If you're a fan of challenging combat and atmospheric, minimalist art styles, Bleak Sword DX might be worth a look. It's not for everyone, but for those who appreciate its style and gameplay, it can be a rewarding experience.
Feb 19, 2025
6
While I was intrigued when I saw Bleak Sword DX's reviews on Steam and Metacritic, it is no more than an action rogue-lite dungeon crawler with uninteresting upgrades and simple items to obtain. Many of the positive comments addressed the game's graphics; and while the art-style is simplistic, it becomes repetitive shortly after running the game for the first time. Listening to it's music and sound effects is like listening to iron being **** by a knife: its music is just a few notes in a loop, it becomes annoying after some time. While it may be interesting to other players, but for me the game-play loop is not fun. It has no potential and even if it will be developed further, they will not be able to fix this ****; the core system of fighting baddies is not innovative in any way, this concept is repeated over and over again in this game. This game will be a mesmerizing experience if you like bad controls and over-simplistic game design. My verdict is that this game is a 6/10 slop game.
SummaryPure, thrilling, and wonderfully cruel, Bleak Sword DX is a dark fantasy action game challenging warriors to fight their way through compact, cursed diorama battlefields. Through twelve tense and deeply atmospheric chapters, you must lift the curse of the legendary Bleak Sword by striking down all manner of horrifying creatures across a... Read More
Platforms:
- PC
- Nintendo Switch
Initial Release Date:Jun 8, 2023
Developer:
Publisher:
