Bleak Sword DX is an action-adventure title for Nintendo Switch. Derived from Apple Arcade, over 100 levels of carnage bring retro-style sword-slashing antics to your favorite hybrid his console.
The setting is interesting and reminds us of something more spectacular than simple graphics. When the king is betrayed, a new ruler takes over with the help of the Bleak Sword. This cursed blade will bring 200 years of death and destruction until a single warrior bravely arrives to rectify the situation. His mission is to retrieve the 3 magic stones and destroy the evil blade once and for all.
In this journey, the protagonist travels through 12 different worlds, each with 10 levels. i like the layout. Each level appears on his single screen as an enemy to defeat. The environment ensures things never get old and takes us from forests to swamps and even horseback rides. Enemies are also diverse, and you’ll encounter everything from simple bats and slugs to tougher knights and terrifying monsters.
Graphics with a black, white and red aesthetic are the highlights. The sprites are all simple 8-bit characters, but the game uses this minimalist approach very effectively. Each level is lively with bridges, grass, and trees on display. It’s amazing what you can achieve with lines and colors and easily makes this title stand out among others.
This gameplay is one of those “easy to learn, hard to master” situations. There are only two moves available: Attack, Roll/Dodge, and Block. It becomes difficult to practice these in relatively small spaces where the enemy is densely packed. It’s especially important to master blocking. To work properly, you have to do it at the right time. However, doing it successfully gives you room for a double attack, which is useful against stronger foes.
If I were to describe Bleak Sword DX in one word, it would be tough. Being annoyed may be another thing. Even on the easiest difficulty setting, this is nothing like a walk in the park. You can choose between Normal or Doom, but the third, more difficult option is initially locked. I had a hard time getting ahead with even the simplest setup. I can only imagine how hard it would be to go up a notch or two. Difficulty is part of the progression, but I feel like a lot of players are hesitant about it. Returning to a level is quick and easy, and each level actually only lasts him a minute or two, but in a particularly hard round he hits 100 attempts and then that level starts to get stale. My advice is to stay away and try again later.
As the name suggests, Bleak Sword DX is the deluxe version of the original 2019 title. The Switch release includes all DLC, updated visuals, and new modes like Boss Run and Randomizer. With multiple ways to play, players can keep themselves busy for a while.
Overall, Bleak Sword DX is a tough sword-slashing adventure that stands out thanks to its interesting visuals and standalone levels. It may be too difficult for some players, but it’s a fresh and exciting outing that also looks great.
