Game Information
Game Title: Sword of the Sea
Platforms:
- PC (Aug 19, 2025)
Trailer:
Developer: Giant Squid
Review Aggregator:
OpenCritic - 87 average - 87% recommended - 15 reviews
Critic Reviews
But Why Tho? - Kate Sanchez - 10 / 10
Whether it’s the game’s not-too-subtle commentary about climate change or Nava’s explanation of the Wraith, Sword of the Sea is trying and succeeding at making an impact
COGconnected - James Paley - 90 / 100
The music is chill, the vistas are fabulous, and the vibes are immaculate. If you’re looking for a short, singular gameplay experience, Sword of the Sea will be perfect for you.
DualShockers - Callum Marshall - 10 / 10
My only gripe is that the story doesn't offer a grandiose message or hit as hard as I would have liked, relying more on pageantry and spectacle to get by. But, rarely does a game take me aback and thank my lucky stars that the medium of video games exists, and that's why we see this one as one of the standout performers of 2025 so far."
Eurogamer - Chris Tapsell - 5 / 5
Movement, meaning and mindfulness combine in Giant Squid's latest, a game of free-form expression and flow.
Game Rant - Cameron Swan - 9 / 10
The latest title from the Abzu and Pathless developers, Sword of the Sea is a must-play meditative game that won't take up much of your time.
GamesRadar+ - Rachel Watts - 4 / 5
The boundaries between what is air, water, and land are totally blurred.
GamingBolt - Ravi Sinha - 7 / 10
Sword of the Sea is like a siren - beautiful, inviting and great to listen to. Despite cutting through with an impeccable sense of style, the lack of a cohesive narrative and short runtime feels like you're treading water.
KonsoliFIN - Joonatan Itkonen - Finnish - 5 / 5
Sword of the Sea is a gorgeous and hypnotic arthouse epic full of incredible set pieces and stunning visuals that sets another high bar for studio Giant Squid as the premiere destination for meditative gameplay.
PC Gamer - Sean Martin - 78 / 100
A short but spectacular surfing game, Sword of the Sea's atmosphere and movement propel it where its simple and repetitive puzzles can't.
Push Square - Robert Ramsey - 9 / 10
Sword of the Sea certainly won't have the same impact that Journey did all those years ago, but in so many ways, it feels like a direct evolution of that legendary experience. It's a beautifully smooth game, set across a series of gorgeous environments that are a joy to explore. While its more game-y elements do feel a tad forced, they're not enough to distract from what is a sumptuous adventure.
Sword of the Sea also ends very abruptly. And though it may be strange to criticize a game for being too short—better to be left wanting more, right?—that abruptness only magnifies the sense that something is missing here.
The Indie Informer - Jill Grodt - 9 / 10
Sword Of The Sea is a pleasure to play. Its traversal system allowed me to soar irreverently through monumental graveyards. Its narrative saw me flooding death with life and new hope. Its beauty boyoyed my spirit. Even with a few rough moments at the end, I still want nothing more than to fly back into its world.
TheGamer - Ryan Thompson-Bamsey - 4.5 / 5
It’s a short journey that took me a smidge over three hours to complete, but heck, what a stupidly enjoyable three hours those were.
VDGMS - Darren Andrew - 8 / 10
At this point, there are no surprises with Giant Squid and the games they create. They are fine tailors of interpretive, environmental experiences. Journey was about hiking and Abzu was about scuba diving. Giant Squid possess the ability to encapsulate what makes these experiences magical and Sword of the Sea is no exception, as it’s another love letter to nature and reconnecting with it through the power of a board beneath your feet. It might be short in length, light on gameplay and abstract in meaning, but the experience is transcendent.