HEAVENLY SWORD
What is it?
Think God of War's outrageously thrilling action, but instead of grizzled Greek Kratos there's a nubile young lass called Nariko swinging the choppers. Less of a focus on myths and gods, however, though Heavenly Sword ought to provide just as much explosive entertainment.
Why should you care?
Beneath the unavoidable comparisons with God of War, Heavenly Sword boasts a combat dynamic all of its own. Nariko's hand-to-hand skills aren't limited to close-up butchering, and a squeeze of L1 or R1 alters your attacks between long range chain-flung slashes and super-powered strikes, but without losing any of the game's already appealingly fluid motion.
Battles also promise to range from tight skirmishes to epic, battlefield clashes - and Nariko even packs an olde-worlde rocket launcher for some truly explosive action.
Heavenly Sword 's fantastical Far East world looks gorgeous, and it's clear there'll be a strong, cohesive visual atmosphere tying your adventure together. The story is also compelling, a rousing blood-'n'-thunder revenge romp that sees Nariko sacrifice herself by wielding the titular life-sapping magical sword, in order to wreak vengeance on the King who slaughtered her family.
If you're a fan of high-action combat and adrenaline-tastic thrills - and, let's face it, what gamer isn't? - Heavenly Sword will be right up your alley.
When can you play it?
If we all cross our fingers and wish very hard, Heavenly Sword will arrive sometime in June this year. Otherwise, Nariko should slink into action before Christmas.
