Heavenly Sword

Extra Modes

Unlockable	How to Unlock
Hell Mode	Beat The Game

“Making of Heavenly Sword” videos

“Making of Heavenly Sword” videos are unlocked by collecting the required amount of glyphs throughout your adventure.

Unlockable	How to Unlock
Introduction	Obtain 03 glyphs
Bringing design to life	Obtain 37 glyphs
Capturing performance	Obtain 42 glyphs
The sound of combat	Obtain 77 glyphs
Creating the music	Obtain 86 glyphs

The Animation Series

Heavenly Sword contains the first two parts of a five-part animated prologue that tells the history behind the sword. Both of these animated videos are unlocked by collecting glyphs throughout your adventure.

Unlockable	How to Unlock
The legend of the sword	Obtain 07 glyphs
Gaurdians of the sword	Obtain 47 glyphs

Art Gallery

There are 107 pieces of concept and pre-production art to be unlocked in Heavenly Sword. All of the art can be unlocked by collecting the required amount of glyphs throughout your adventure.

Unlockable	How to Unlock
Snowy Fort concept art	Obtain 01 glyph
Back of Snowy Fort	Obtain 02 glyphs
Shen concept art	Obtain 04 glyphs
Shen with staff	Obtain 05 glyphs
Kai concept	Obtain 06 glyphs
Kai early concept art	Obtain 08 glyphs
Nariko color sketch	Obtain 09 glyphs
Swordsman concept	Obtain 11 glyphs
Nariko pencil sketch	Obtain 12 glyphs
Nariko early cover	Obtain 13 glyphs
Young Kai concept art	Obtain 15 glyphs
Bohan armor concept art	Obtain 17 glyphs
Ch. 5 Port concept art	Obtain 19 glyphs
Nariko promo screenshot	Obtain 20 glyphs
Bohan weapon concept art	Obtain 21 glyphs
Nariko costume concept art	Obtain 23 glyphs
Flying Fox costume concept art	Obtain 25 glyphs
Andy Serkis as Bohan	Obtain 26 glyphs
Nariko with Heavenly Sword	Obtain 27 glyphs
Kai with bow concept art	Obtain 29 glyphs
Flying Fox facial concept art	Obtain 30 glyphs
Nariko promo screenshot (2nd)	Obtain 31 glyphs
Bohan early concept art	Obtain 33 glyphs
Kai early concept art (2nd)	Obtain 34 glyphs
Axeman concept art	Obtain 35 glyphs
Whiptail Eel concept art	Obtain 36 glyphs
Whiptail early concept art	Obtain 38 glyphs
Bohan promo screenshot	Obtain 39 glyphs
Andy Serkis as Bohan (2nd)	Obtain 40 glyphs
Roach concept art	Obtain 41 glyphs
Throne Room concept art	Obtain 43 glyphs
Bohan early concept art (2nd)	Obtain 44 glyphs
Whiptail early concept art (2nd)	Obtain 45 glyphs
Kai promo screenshot	Obtain 46 glyphs
Bohan promo screenshot (2nd)	Obtain 49 glyphs
The Sword early concept art	Obtain 50 glyphs
Swordsman concept art (2nd)	Obtain 51 glyphs
Bazooka concept art	Obtain 52 glyphs
Central Hall early concept art	Obtain 53 glyphs
Enviornment early concept art	Obtain 55 glyphs
Prison Approach concept art	Obtain 56 glyphs
Forest Patch concept art	Obtain 57 glyphs
Nariko early concept art	Obtain 80 glyphs
Oraguman sketch	Obtain 79 glyphs
Oraguman concept art	Obtain 78 glyphs
Whiptail promo screenshot	Obtain 76 glyphs
Whiptail costume art	Obtain 75 glyphs
Cover art – Nariko	Obtain 73 glyphs
Early packaging concept art	Obtain 72 glyphs
Cover art – Bazooka	Obtain 71 glyphs
Cover art – Ranged Attack	Obtain 70 glyphs
Arena balcony concept art	Obtain 69 glyphs
Arena concept art	Obtain 67 glyphs
Chainman concept art	Obtain 66 glyphs
Nariko imprisoned concept art	Obtain 64 glyphs
Clansmen concept art	Obtain 63 glyphs
Natural Bridge concept art	Obtain 62 glyphs
Heavenly Sword concept art	Obtain 60 glyphs
Enviornment early concept art (2nd)	Obtain 59 glyphs
Desert Battleground concept art	Obtain 81 glyphs
Young Nariko sketch	Obtain 82 glyphs
Roach weapon concept art	Obtain 83 glyphs
Assassin weapon concept art	Obtain 84 glyphs
Crossbowman concept art	Obtain 104 glyphs
Back of Snowy Fort (2nd)	Obtain 102 glyphs
Encampment concept art	Obtain 103 glyphs
Nariko approaching cage	Obtain 101 glyphs
Rain Battle concept art	Obtain 100 glyphs
Packaging artwork	Obtain 98 glyphs
Desert Buildings concept art	Obtain 99 glyphs
Cover Art – Bohan	Obtain 97 glyphs
Water Temple Interior	Obtain 95 glyphs
Andy Serkis as Bohan (3rd)	Obtain 96 glyphs
Commander concept art	Obtain 94 glyphs
Desert Fort concept art	Obtain 93 glyphs
Tower Interior concept art	Obtain 92 glyphs
Water Lift concept art	Obtain 91 glyphs
Decrepit temple concept art	Obtain 89 glyphs
Bohan and Raven concept art	Obtain 90 glyphs
Anime character concept art	Obtain 88 glyphs
Nariko early concept art (2nd)	Obtain 87 glyphs
Assasin concept art	Obtain 85 glyphs
Bohan Armor concept art (2nd)	Obtain 105 glyphs
Early Bohan weapon concept art	Obtain 106 glyphs
Funeral Landscape Painting	Obtain 126 glyphs
Funeral Boat concept art	Obtain 124 glyphs
Funeral Landscape concept art	Obtain 125 glyphs
Bohan early concept art (3rd)	Obtain 123 glyphs
Raven God concept art	Obtain 121 glyphs
Raven God early concept art	Obtain 122 glyphs
Heaven and Hell concept art	Obtain 118 glyphs
Raven God facial sketch	Obtain 120 glyphs
Andy Serkis facial sketch	Obtain 119 glyphs
Raven concept art	Obtain 117 glyphs
Desert Level concept art	Obtain 116 glyphs
Enviornment early concept art (3rd)	Obtain 115 glyphs
Prison Exterior concept art	Obtain 112 glyphs
Prison Interior concept art	Obtain 113 glyphs
Encampment concept art (2nd)	Obtain 114 glyphs
Early Pond concept art	Obtain 111 glyphs
Cover Art – Power Stance	Obtain 110 glyphs
Nariko early concept art (3rd)	Obtain 109 glyphs
The Sword Landscape painting	Obtain 108 glyphs
The Sword Landscape concept art	Obtain 107 glyphs
Kai promo screenshot (2nd)	Obtain 127 glyphs
Nariko promo screenshot (2nd)	Obtain 129 glyphs
Shen promo screenshot	Obtain 128 glyphs

Unlockable Combo’s [Speed Stance]

These are the unlockable speed stance combos, combo’s can be unlocked by obtaining the required amount of glyphs throughout your adventure.

Unlockable	How to Unlock
Heaven’s Ascent – Square, Triangle, Triangle, when landing Triangle	Obtain 10 glyphs
Angel’s Grave – Square, Triangle, Triangle, when landing Square	Obtain 10 glyphs
Twin Angels – Triangle, Square, Square	Obtain 22 glyphs
Angelic Fury – Triangle, Square, Triangle	Obtain 22 glyphs
Angel’s Smite – Square, Square, Triangle, Square	Obtain 58 glyphs
Heavenly Storm – Square, Square, Triangle, Triangle, Triangle	Obtain 58 glyphs
Heaven’s Spiral – Square, Square, Triangle, Triangle, Square	Obtain 58 glyphs
Angel’s Harvest – Suqare, Triangle, Triangle, Square, Triangle	Obtain 68 glyphs
Angel’s Crop – Square, Triangle, Triange, Square, Square	Obtain 68 glyphs

Unlockable Combo’s [Power Stance]

These are the unlockable power stance combo’s, combo’s can be unlocked by obtaining the required amount of glyphs throughout your adventure.

Unlockable	How to Unlock
Hell’s Envy – Triangle, Square, Square	Obtain 14 glyphs
Hell’s Wrath – Triangle, Square, Triangle	Obtain 14 glyphs
Striking Hell – Triangle, Triangle, Square, Square	Obtain 24 glyphs
Laughing Devil – Triangle, Triangle, Square, Triangle	Obtain 24 glyphs
Raising Hell – Square, Triangle, Square, Triangle	Obtain 65 glyphs
Blade of the Devil – Square, Triangle, Square, Square, Square	Obtain 65 glyphs

Unlockable Combo’s [Ranged Stance]

These are the unlockable ranged stance combos, combo’s can be unlocked by obtaining the required amount of glyphs throughout your adventure.

Unlockable	How to Unlock
Violent Tempest -Triangle, Triangle, Triangle, Triangle, Triangle, Triangle, Triangle	Obtain 33 glyphs
Twisted Soul – Square, Square, Square, Square, Square, Square, Square	Obtain 33 glyphs
Divine Storm – Triangle, Triangle, Triangle, Triangle, Triangle, Triangle, Triangle, Triangle, Triangle	Obtain 74 glyphs
Unfurling Wrath – Square, Square, Square, Square, Square, Square, Square, Square, Square	Obtain 74 glyphs

Unlockable Combo’s [Aerial]

These are the unlockable aerial combos, combo’s can be unlocked by obtaining the required amount of glyphs throughout your adventure.

Unlockable	How to Unlock
Flying Angel – L1+Triangle, Shake controller, R1+Triangle, Triangle Triangle Triangle	Obtain 16 glyphs
Bladed Downfall – L1+Triangle, Shake controller, Hold R1 and press Triangle, Square, Square	Obtain 28 glyphs
Soaring Embrace – L1+Triangle, Shake controller, Hold L1 and press Square Square, Square	Obtain 54 glyphs
Falling Blossom – L1+Triangle, Shake controller, Square Triangle Triangle, Square and then R1+Square	Obtain 61 glyphs

Unlockable Superstyles [Lvl. 2]

These are the unlockable level 2 superstyles, superstyles can be unlocked by obtaining the required amount of glyphs throughout your adventure.

Unlockable	How to Unlock
Startled Lover – Circle	Obtain 18 glyphs
Compassion – R1+Circle	Obtain 18 glyphs
Lingering Touch – L1+Circle	Obtain 18 glyphs

Unlockable Superstyles [Lvl. 3]

These are the unlockable level 3 superstyles, superstyles can be unlocked by obtaining the required amount of glyphs throughout your adventure.

Unlockable	How to Unlock
Stolen Kiss – Circle	Obtain 48 glyphs
Adoring Traveler – R1+Circle	Obtain 48 glyphs
Whirling Passion – L1+Circle	Obtain 48 glyphs

My Reveiw:

Ever since it was first shown, Heavenly Sword has drawn comparisons to God of War. Like SCEA’s flagship franchise, Heavenly Sword has great production values, exciting combat, and an enjoyable story with interesting characters. What it doesn’t have is length, clocking in at just six-and-a-half hours from start to finish. So while it’s a great game, it’s a great game you can beat in one sitting.Like God of War, Heavenly Sword starts off with what appears to be the death of the game’s main character, so the story is told via flashbacks. In this case it’s a young woman named Nariko, an outcast who was thought before she was born to be the one to fulfill her peoples’ prophecy surrounding the Heavenly Sword. The titular sword is a dangerous weapon that grants tremendous power to whomever wields it, but at the cost of that person’s life. Nariko’s clan has protected the ancient weapon, but they’ve grown weak and find themselves under attack from King Bohan, an evil despot who wants the sword for his own use. In this desperate hour Nariko’s people and even her father are finally forced to admit that she is their only hope. The game’s story is well written (if a bit predictable), and the characters are brought to life by some fine performances by the actors who portray them.

That’s kind of a lot of dudes to kill.

There are a few rudimentary door-opening puzzles and a handful of situations where you’ll have to quickly press a button that appears onscreen as you make your way through the linear levels. But most of your time with Nariko will be spent killing thousands of enemies in her quest to keep the Heavenly Sword from falling into Bohan’s hands. Nariko has three different types of attacks that she can perform by standing in a specific stance. Speed attacks are performed by pressing the square or triangle buttons. Her ranged and power stances are done by pressing the L1 or R1 buttons respectively. Attack combos can be strung together by pressing square and triangle in specific patterns or by switching from one stance to the next midattack.

Using combos and attacking with style are important not only because they’re the quickest way to defeat an enemy, but also because they’re the key to unlocking more combinations and even bonus content. Each consecutive attack you perform without getting hit fills a meter that’s divided into thirds. Perform enough combos and you’ll earn a new combo; reach the second and third level and you’ll unlock making-of movies, artwork, and more. You’ll also gain access to superstyle attacks along the way. When you’ve earned enough style points you can hit the circle button and trigger a short cutscene where Nariko finishes off a foe with creative flair. It’s certainly beneficial to learn a few combos, but you can get through the game just fine doing the same few over and over again.

However, you’ll need to vary the position you attack from. Some enemies are only vulnerable to certain attack styles and some can be attacked only with a successful block or counter, both of which are tied to the three different stances. As bad guys attack, they’ll flash a color that indicates what kind of attack is coming. If it’s a speed attack you don’t have to do a thing; Nariko will block it on her own. If it’s a power attack though, you’ll have to quickly press the R1 button to block. If it’s red, it’s an unblockable attack and you’ll need to roll out of the way by moving the right analog stick. Counters are performed by quickly pressing the triangle as an attack is imminent. They’re a great way to quickly dispatch an enemy, though they’re tough to time when you’re surrounded by a few dozen people, all attacking at different moments.

Heavenly Sword keeps things fresh by mixing in a second playable character and a few different play styles. For some of the game you’re placed in the role of the lovably quirky Kai, a bizarre catlike girl whose favorite “game” is to shoot bad guys with her crossbow. She can’t fight at close range, and can only create separation between herself and the enemy by pushing them off of her. The awkward switch from one camera angle to another that occurs when you go from running to aiming makes it tough to get a shot off, so the levels where Kai’s on foot and fighting aren’t her best moments. It’s good, then, that most of your time spent as Kai has you simply shooting bad guys with the game’s enjoyable motion controls. By continuing to hold the fire button you can control Kai’s arrow midflight in slow motion by tilting the Sixaxis left, right, up, and down. Nariko has a few levels like this where she mans a cannon and wields a rocket launcher as well. Kai’s sections are sometimes a tad too long, but it’s quite satisfying to guide an arrow across a level and then land it in a soldier’s groin or head.

Overall the game’s combat is a good mix of being easy to learn but deep enough that you don’t feel like you’re just hitting the same two buttons and seeing the same attacks over and over. This is an impressive feat considering how shallow the game’s enemy artificial intelligence is. Rather than challenging you with smart bad guys with a wide range of moves, the game simply tries to overwhelm you with numbers. Sure, some are fast, some are strong, and some shoot arrows at you, but none of them exhibit any sort of creativity in their attacks. Even the bosses, who at least attack in new ways, aren’t particularly clever and are challenging only because their life bars are seemingly endless. Slightly repetitive or not, it’s hard not to have a blast when you’re controlling a lone heroine against more than a thousand enemies, all of which are onscreen at once.

Heavenly Sword is elevated by its top-notch presentation. Nariko’s attacks are beautifully animated and flow seamlessly from one to the next with only a little slowdown here and there. It’s a little disappointing that there’s not more visual variety to the soldiers, but the few types featured are all well designed and easy to tell apart. This is important when you’re trying to use a certain fighting style to take out a specific enemy in a crowd. The levels are gorgeous and have an almost hand-painted look to them–especially when viewed from afar.

Great production values and interesting characters make Heavenly Sword feel like a summer blockbuster.

Many games come to a screeching halt when telling their story via cutscenes, but this is where Heavenly Sword excels thanks to is its main characters, which are all wonderfully designed and animated: beautiful, compassionate Nariko; oafish, sympathetic Roach; evil-yet-funny King Bohan (portrayed by Andy Serkis, who played Gollum in Lord of the Rings); and the curious, catlike Kai. The cutscenes are gorgeous, marred only by some lip-synching issues and a frame rate that sometimes stutters at the start. You really get a sense of the characters’ personalities just by looking at them and watching them move. A well-written and often surprisingly funny script is brought to life by Hollywood-quality performance from the actors, who fit their respective characters perfectly. The inclusion of English, Spanish, German, French, and Italian voice options ensures that just about everyone can enjoy the performances, too. The music is a mix between orchestral movie-style tracks and more modern-sounding instrumental pieces with an ethnic flair to them.

Add it all up and Heavenly Sword is a fantastic game from start to finish. It’s just a shame that it’s not longer. The developer made the wise decision to keep the action tight by not including any fetch quests or backtracking, but skilled players will probably finish the game in a little more than six hours, and it probably won’t take longer than eight hours for anyone else. There are some DVD-style extras to unlock and you can play it again on “hell mode” once you’ve beaten it; just don’t expect to get much more than a great weekend for your $60. If you’re OK with that, you won’t be disappointed in Heavenly Sword.

Origanal post by:Gamespot.com