Half Sword Review Summary

Improved gameplay and controls: Players appreciate the more responsive and fluid controls, combat, and overall gameplay. The game feels smoother and more enjoyable compared to the demo, with better physics and combat mechanics.

Weapon and armor customization: The game offers extensive customization options for weapons and armor, allowing players to create unique and personalized gear. This feature is well-received and adds depth to the gameplay.

Enhanced graphics and visuals: The game's graphics have seen significant improvements, with players noting better lighting, detailed maps, and overall visual appeal. The game looks great even on lower settings.

New maps and environments: New maps and environments have been added, offering unique experiences and varied locations. These maps are aesthetically pleasing and add to the game's challenge and enjoyment.

Performance and optimization: The game runs well on various hardware configurations, with players reporting smooth performance on both high-end and mid-range PCs. Some optimization issues remain but are not game-breaking.

Severe optimization issues: The game suffers from significant optimization problems, including poor performance, frequent frame drops, and laggy maps. Players report low FPS even on high-end hardware and various performance issues across different settings.

Demo comparison disappointments: Many players feel the full version of the game is inferior to the demo. Combat, physics, and overall gameplay feel less satisfying and more buggy compared to the demo experience.

Free mode limitations: The Free Play mode is criticized for its lack of freedom and customization. Players are restricted in selecting maps, game modes, and weapons, making the mode feel less free and more limited.

Weapon handling issues: There are numerous problems with weapon handling, including weapons getting stuck, spawning issues, and problematic combat mechanics. These issues make combat feel clunky and less responsive.

Character fragility: Characters in the game are perceived as weak and fragile. They often fall or die easily, and their movements can feel janky and unnatural, leading to a less enjoyable combat experience.

Extensive customization options: Players have a wide range of customization options for their characters, weapons, and armor. This includes weapon forging, armor upgrades, and character creation, although some limitations have been noted in the customization system.

Realistic physics and combat: The game features realistic physics and combat mechanics, with a focus on brutal and tactical gameplay. This includes a bruising system, bones breaking, and fluid hit mechanics, providing a more immersive combat experience.

Diverse combat mechanics and modes: The game offers a variety of combat mechanics and modes, including free mode, progression mode, and special modes like Gauntlet and Rare Retribution. Players can enjoy different game modes such as zombie games, tournaments, and a career mode, providing a rich and varied gameplay experience.

Varied maps and environments: The game offers a variety of maps and environments, such as Slums, Cellar, Alley, Forest, and more. These maps provide different settings for combat and exploration, enhancing the gameplay experience.

Early access limitations: The game is currently in early access, which means some features and modes are still being developed or are limited. This includes the lack of a free level editing mode and some limitations in free mode and progression mode.

Slums map performance problems: The slums map is particularly problematic, with numerous reports of lag, low FPS, and performance dips. This map is highlighted as one of the worst-performing areas in the game.

Poor optimization and performance issues: The game suffers from significant optimization problems, leading to low FPS, frame drops, and performance issues even on high-end hardware. Players report various performance problems across different settings and maps.

Map-specific performance issues: Performance varies significantly across different maps. Some maps, particularly interior ones, run well, while others, especially outdoor and progression maps, suffer from performance issues.

High settings require powerful hardware: To achieve decent FPS and performance, high resolution and settings are required, which necessitates powerful hardware. Many players had to turn down graphics settings to improve performance.

Performance on high-end hardware: Even high-end hardware like the RTX 5090 struggles to run the game smoothly, indicating widespread optimization problems that affect all levels of hardware.

Try the demo first: Players recommend trying the demo version of the game before deciding to buy the full version. The demo provides a good sense of the gameplay and can help determine if the game is enjoyable despite its current issues.

Wait for updates before buying: Many players suggest waiting for further updates and improvements before purchasing the game. They believe the game has potential but currently suffers from bugs and performance issues that need addressing.

Mixed recommendations based on current state: Opinions are divided on recommending the game in its current state. Some players find it enjoyable and worth supporting the developers, while others advise against purchasing due to existing issues and suggest waiting for improvements.

Recommend for progression mode: The game is recommended for those interested in the progression mode. This mode seems to offer a more stable and enjoyable experience compared to other aspects of the game.

Avoid if only interested in abyss mode: Players interested solely in the abyss mode are advised to stay away from the game. This mode may not meet expectations or could be less enjoyable compared to other parts of the game.

Steam Deck: The game suffers from significant performance issues, lack of FSR support, poor controller and UI design, frequent crashes, and specific problems on the Steam Deck. These issues collectively result in a subpar user experience, particularly affecting players on certain hardware configurations and platforms.

Monetization: The game has received significant criticism for its monetization practices. Users frequently describe it as a 'cash grab' and 'overpriced,' indicating dissatisfaction with the value for money. Additionally, there are complaints about false advertising and poor optimization, further contributing to the negative perception of the game's monetization.

Early Access concerns: Players expressed disappointment with the game's release state, mentioning it feels too early in development for an Early Access release.

Request for LAN multiplayer: There is a demand from players for the inclusion of LAN multiplayer functionality in the game.

More customization options needed: Players are requesting additional skin options in the customization menu to enhance character personalization.