Sword Master VR

Broken. doesn't even launch

Sorry folks, I had high hopes for this title. VR sword fighting is gaining in popularity to be sure, but this game is, unfortunately, so easy to beat even on the highest levels it feels more like a child's swordplay primer rather than a serious VR sword fighting experience. Better luck next time! I will stick (no pun intended) with Gladius and Swordsman VR. Cannot recommend this title unless you are picking up a sword for the very first time ever. I did not ask for a refund so the Devs could maybe use the money to create a sword fighting game for grown-ups. Sorry if this makes me a jerk, I am just being honest in my review.

This game feels outdated and it seems it has not improved much over the years. For the price tag it currently has, I can't unfortunately recommend it. I think there are simply better games you can get for this price.

ok. how do I start.
this is a short game that is long. kinda conflicted eh ?

well, by a short game, I mean, if u just look at how it plays, it's short.
the description says it all. u got some stages (maybe 10 ? I'll update this review when I play again) that all plays about the same. u stand on the middle of an arena while ur enemies would come at u from 360 degrees.

u fight with ur sword, and shield until the opponent's hp depleted.
u lose if u got hit twice in a short time.
u unlock new swords with it's own perks, like better damage, better for slashing, better for stabing, longer or shorter swords, etc by clearing the stages on novice level.
u unlock new shields, again with it's own perks (and yes, the 1st shield is very tiny, but it's better than nothing at all) after u clear stages on expert level (and u started with no shields, so dont bother searching it anywhere like what I did).
that's all. the concept is very short eh ?

what makes it long, is that, every stages seems to be longer and longer with more and more opponents. 1 opponent is easy, and started to get boring after about 5-10 mins. but then, u got more opponents to fight at the same time. I now fighting 2 opponents at a time on stage 4, and it really2 feels hectic to fight 2 at the same time. I can imagine to fight about 4 opponents on later stages. And this is what makes it long. in about 30 mins I could only got to stage 4 (and maybe there's 10 stages at least ? I didnt really noticed it before. will update this review when I played again later).
so, because of this, u can expect this game to last several hours, and if u can pick it up at discount, it's very worth it.

now onto the gameplay,
u have to slashed on the enemy's part that's not guarded by the shields and the armors. so u can slashed their hands and feet too if u want, but it only damage them a little. there are a lot of opening holes in the enemy's defense that u can slashed, but seems like the game still buggy, because lots of time, it didnt seem to register the damage. And when I slashed at an enemy that turns around to slashed me, it seems that he's invisible, as he takes no damage.
so a better way to play is to be a real swords master. that is wait for ur enemy's opening, usually after he swings, u parry, and there would be opening where u can hit him for lots of damage.

even with the bugs, and awkward moments when u think u have slashed the enemy, but their hp didnt seem to go any less,
all in all, this still a great game for proper sword fighting, and definitely recommended, and even more if it's discounted.

This is a game that looks like it's aiming to be something of a simulator. I could be wrong about that. The limitations for me of this game are that instead of the npcs getting more sophisticated at sword fightiing as you progress, they get bigger or you have to fight more of them. This leads to flailing rather than having to be skillful. If you were surrounded by three guys irl you would break through a gap to make distance and reengage. You can't do that here. This would be much better if difficulty progressed by fighting one guy who got better. The backhand whirling move thing they mostly do is also not at all realistic. I wish someone would work on a game with people from HEMA or FMA to come up with some some more realistic one on one fighting.

Game is fantastic, but the play area is FAR bigger than what you likely have in real life. I have a 3mx3m or MORE space and it still so easy to hit the wall and break a controller. You're left standing in the middle of the room waiting for the guys to lunge at you before you can attack. It's very frustrating because you really want to advance on your enemy, but you'll hit the wall if you do that.. Hit boxes are also a little bit off, it seems.
Huge potential, but unless the developer makes the game area smaller, I just cannot recommend this game.

I've made the mistake of not reviewing this game; a mistake because I think this is one of the best games on the vive and somehow it seems to be gathering a lot of negative reviews.

When I got my vive, I really wanted some VR games with good swordplay. That's what this game delivers on. There's no plot or story here; this is nothing but arena matches. The art style isn't super high quality, but that doesn't matter.

What does matter is the way you play this game. The sword physics feel real. Your playing area is limited and you have to wait for an enemy to come close enough before you swing at them. Some have shields. They have armour, and you can't hit their armour or your slice won't register. The game has different weapons with different stats, and depending on your fighting style, some will be more effective than others.

If you need a workout and you like swordplay, this is a very solid game, especially for its asking price. I keep coming back to this game more than any other VR game.

(the skeleton spectators are ridiculous, though - I don't know what the dev was thinking)

game is dead. No updates, no new content or fixes has been the same since Decemeber 2016 is the last time i've seen it updated. The game had good potetial but nothing came of it.

Really not very good and kind of broken. The fights are often not challenging and the opponents always leave big openings. The graphics are simplistic, and the gameplay is very repetitive.

After playing the game daily for a while I'm editing this review a bit. While I am still giving it a thumbs up, it is mainly because the price is fairly low and there 90% of VR games aren't very interactive. I would say this game qualifies as Early Access as it does not feel like it is finished, yet the developer appears to have completely dropped the project and moved on to a new (totally unrelated) project. It is frustrating because the game really has a _lot_of potential, but there are a few little problems that really need to be solved to make the end-game less frustrating.

Its a million little things that cause the end-game to be frustrating:
* enemies can walk through you
* you can't push enemies away at all so there is no mechanism for controlling the field
* the enemies sometimes swing their swords through their own body and hit you from an angle you can't see coming
* sometimes you'll get hit and the post-hit freeze frame shows a sword clearly going straight through the middle of your shield
* the enemies will sometimes just run 3 circles around you, which is really frustrating without a wireless headset
* the textures on the models aren't particularly clear on where exactly you can hit enemies and deal damage
* it is unclear when your blow was deflected by armor/sword/shield, sometimes it feels like your strike was dead on but no damage occurs.

I still use the game as part of my daily workout, but now that I'm at Legendary difficulty I suspect I'm going to reach a point of being too frustrated to continue soon. I really do enjoy the challenge of the difficulty level, but the above things make it feel like I can't progress anymore because the random bugs hit frequently enough to make it so it is very hard to get through an entire level without running into one of them that gets you killed (legendary difficulty is one-hit-kill against player).

I am _really_ hoping a AAA title uses this game as the basis for an improved version. I really think there is a ton of potential here and would love to see it fleshed out. Even if the game stays as is with regards to "content" I would be happy with it if they just fixed some of the remaining quirks.

-- ORIGINAL REVIEW --

This is going to compete with Holopoint for fun fitness games. It has a variety of weapons to master and the game keeps you moving. If you are looking for a story based game with a beginning, middle and end, this is not it. If you are looking for a game that will get your heartrate up and present a challenge then this is a good game to checkout.

Its a workout man just took a pause after only 40min. It needs more content though i bet ill beat everything in about 2h playtime maybe 3.

I hope they add stuff because im a fat bastard and need the exorcice. Oh and devs PLEASE make an online pvp mode.

I can't praise this game enough (tldr from 0 - the dev owes me money to 10 - transformative experience I'd put this at 8.5) so I'll start with negatives:

Hit detection can be fiddly until you puzzle out the system/adapt to it.

On higher levels enemies don't get harder so much as numerous

It's best enjoyed in a larger play space (I found I kept lunging into walls in a 2x2m area)

If you're someone who can't resist cheesing, lying down on the floor and jabbing the legs is a guarranteed if slow way to victory

Onto praises:

Enemies are huge and intimidating, the red screen -> hit again -> death mechanic works really well for keeping the pressure on you while forgiving small mistakes, you can parry, shield block, shield bash or just plain stab them in the throat before they hit you.

The game rewards finess over random flailing. It's extremely rewarding to see youself skill up to the point where enemies that used to stress you out can be dispatched with a few casual flicks and a lunge. Unlocking new swords and playing with them gives the game high replay value, especially once you get duel weilding and can mess with lots of combos (10/10 would bring knives to a sword fight again).

There are a lot of different ways to crack the enemy, from massive chops with a heavy sword till they stagger to quick oppertunistic jabs with a rapier. I found myself lunging, ducking and doing whatever the neo backwards lean is called. Getting surrounded by 3 enemies while cowering behind a shield is an experience you just have to try.

As a bonus this game is quite enjoyable to spectate/take turns with, the 3rd person camera view for mirrored screen allows spectators to call out warnings (say for an enemy behind you) while still fitting with the overall theme of the game/not breaking the fourth wall too hard.

I'm currently sore all over from playing this and honestly haven't had this much fun since I was a kid, it's not quite as polished as say vanishing realms or space pirate trainer but in my opinion is a lot more enjoyable that SPT. If you're looking for nonstop, sweat pouring off you action that rewards real player skill check this game out.

Would shout "are you not entertained" again.

LOVE THIS GAME!!! Before my Achilles gave out I used to love fencing, so I'm always excited to try another sword combat game in VR. While no game can compare to actual fencing, this one really feels like sword fighting. Yes, the AI is simple, but having multiple opponents circling you adds enough difficulty to make up for that once you get to expert level. Also, on expert level this is the best game for exercise I've yet played. Holoball and Holopoint are right up there too, but this one beats them for getting my heart rate going.

I'll compare this to my second favorite sword combat VR game, Vanishing Realms (With the new update that gives you Warriors Challenge Hard Mode). The sword combat in Vanishing realms is pattern based, like the original (I'm dating myself here) Prince of Persia, or Prince of Persia Classic on the Xbox 360. I really enjoy it, but your opponents just stand there for the most part. If the opponents moved around you more, like they do in Sword Master, then I would have to consider that my favorite sword game because the patterns are more complex and some of the attacks are faster.

To the developer:
I would like a mode where the opponents don't forecast their attacks so much, and that attack is faster. This might up the challenge without having to have 3 guys surrounding you.

Also, I would love to see a duelist mode that was more like fencing. To avoid the challenge of making a sword game work in a situation where you cannot apply force to the player’s hand when their sword is supposed to be deflected you could use a right-of-way convention like what is used in foil and saber fencing. The first one to begin an attack gains the right-of-way and, if they land the hit, will score if the opponent dose not parry. Parrying gives the opponent the right of way. The player having lost the right-of-way can no longer score even if they land the hit unless they first regain the right-of-way. Missing with an attack also causes you to lose the right-of-way. So, if your attack falls short your opponent can immediately attack and will score even if you strike again and you both hit at the same time. Not sure how do-able it would be to program this but I would love to see something like this in a sword game.

Yah i tried to like this but it's really the same thing after the very first battle. Theres no change in how you are attacked. Alot of the hits you'll get will magically be blocked evn if you clearly hit the guy. This would be better if it was more one on one with smarter AI as you progressed. Not just adding a bunch more of the same thing each wave

As it is right now, it's just WAY to easy to just go in stabbing under the shield to score kills. Currently a deal breaker....that being said, the developer seems VERY open to suggestions and making improvements! I really get the feeling that the necessary improvements will be made and that the game will continue to be expanded upon.

For that reason, I will not be "returning" the game, as I want to support the developer, because I can see where this could eventually be a GREAT game.

I look forward to updating my review to a "recommend" in the near future, hopefully!

I usually won't post a review without a lot more time in game. However, I hate seeing a game's reputation dragged down by negative reviews from players who played less than half an hour. Honestly, the game does have some hit box issues and weapon balance needs to be addressed. The dev has said as much, and stated he's working on it.
With that out of the way, the game is more than worth its price tag. Nothing in VR has gotten my heart racing like trying to hold off three dual wielding opponents with a rapier. As others have stated, you will be sweating and out of breath in minutes, but keep coming back for one more round.

So before I start, I'm going to say that I acknowledge the game was just released. Though, the store page does not mention any "Early Access" like I'd hope to believe, I'll keep that in mind.

Therefore, let me get down to the principles of the game.

Basically, you start out with a single sword, and you progress through levels in which you parttake in combat against AI enemies with armor, shields, and swords. It obviously gets harder as you get through, setting up for a breath of relief as you finish that last level.

However fun it appears at first, the further you get in, the more you notice just how terribly horrible the hit detection is--how utterly frustrating it is to try and hit an enemy.

Your sword will constantly skip out on hitting a specific part of their body and just hit the armor. Your sword will also give multiple hits at once if you repeatedly stab back and forth with your weapon--even if it's still inside the enemy.

Maybe it's just my personal experience from it, but the swordplay in this game is nothing more than hope that you don't register hitting their armor and try not to hit your bedroom walls--even though the enemies linger outside of it at all times.

I do not recommend to anyone who's ever been frustrated with bugs in games.

Sword Master VR is just another name for sweating all over the place Simulator. I have played this straight for 2 hours with my brother in taking turns and we already reached lvl 9 plus 5 expert medals.

The gameplay is getting extremly challenging but also satisfying as you progress. Dont loose hope when fighting 4 opponents at the same time. You´ll get used to it.

Balancewise i´d say the Rapier is way too strong compared to the slashing weapons. Thrusts are pretty effective but hard to land. Strike, guard, dodge all while keeping possible other knights in check. Breaking guards to get a moment of time so you can thrust forwards is a great way of taking down the bigger guys.

If you are used to Swordfighting or have a hunch on how diffrent Swords should be used, you´ll find yourself in a big advantage. Neverless the game is still very challenging.

Pros:

- Music. The Soundtracks fully add to the envoirement and combat
- Diffrent types of Swords gets you a lot of diffrent approaches on how to defeat single or multiple enemys. Reach over damage? Thrusts or Slashes? Short range versus long range? Why not try dual wielding to mix it up a bit?
- Expert levels aswell as a Survival mode makes it interesting in long term
- Pretty accurate hit boxes. Sometimes it feels like it could use some work but most of the times its working splendid
- Intimidating models of the knights add just fine to the setting of an Arena battle

Cons:

- Animations really could use some work
- At higher levels it feels like the knights are trying to overcome one with numbers instead of technique. Its more a sort of defending against mashing instead of getting the upper hand by experience. Let them knights attack a bit faster maybe?
- No replay button. Once you died thou shalt click thyself through the menu to start a match anew
- I want more. More maps, more weapons, diffrent enemys, coop!

The game is dirt cheap for what it is. Take the warning and get pets, kids or whatnot out of your room. And if you are any sort of interested in melee fights. Get this game. You wont be dissapointed.

You can ignore the usual "Awesome! So cool. I'm exhausted!" reviews from the Kool-Aid gulping wide eyed, fan boy types. They would have fun dancing around their bedrooms waving a toilet brush with a bucket on their heads shouting "Take that foul demon!"

I gave this game the benefit of the doubt, watching the dev videos for a few months and reserving my opinion until trying it. Unfortunatley it plays just like it looks and it looks a little disjointed. I get the feeling these are store bought art assets. This results in a jarring mix in the quality of models, textures and animations so it feels more like a tech demo rather than a finished product.

Regarding gameplay the enemy characters hover just outside the bounds of the chaperone which means of you are going to be swinging your controller full speed (as it requires you to do) at them. The potential for controller smashing and loved one assaulting is terrifyingly high. Games like "Thrill of the fight" handle this style of close quarters combat much better.

A Vive labour of love that suffers from the problems of developing with limited outside input.

Maybe following the "QuiVr" dev model of community testing through development would have helped iron out the gameplay kinks. It is however well priced and robustly coded, the art and more importantly gameplay on offer, are not to my taste.

The closest I have got to smashing a controller. Luckily my knuckles took most of the damage. My play space is on the minimal limit, so I find myself concentrating on ensuring i'm not about to plunge my controller weilding hand into the wall as much as combating the knights themselves.

It's a credit to the game that even with that restriction it plays well.

It gets tough quick, which I find is a disadvantage with less space. I pretty well have to stand my ground, parry and jab. I have also found the scimitar and broadsword are too short for such tactics.

I would love to play this game with masses of space, but the minimal space requirement is still well worth the entry fee. I shall be returnung to this game on a regular basis.

Edit:

I bust my controller:

I unlocked skermish, which was great, but when dealing with multiple enemies I took to the tactic of smacking a knight's shield with my sword so they back away - past my play area.

A brief check of Youtube, the purchase of a T5 Torx screwdriver, and half and hour of fiddling the controller's back in action. But......

Once bitten, twice shy. I have decided that even with the minimum required space I cannot safely play this game as it is intended.

It would be nice to see some refinement of single combat adversaries for us persons with limited space (or the Brits, if you prefer).

I still recommend the game though, but be warned if space is minimal.

The absolute best sword play I've experienced in a game to date...
If you have a Vive and like swords then get this....