Intro: The Year of the Indie Developer
In the modern age of hyper-realistic AAA games pushing the industry ever forward, it can be easy to forget that a whole corner of gaming continues to thrive with passion and creativity: the indie scene. Indie gaming has grown dramatically since the early 2000s. What was once viewed as a haven for niche, smaller projects has become one of the most celebrated and lucrative spaces in the entire industry.
In 2025 alone, indie developers have not only competed with billion-dollar giants like EA but in some cases nearly surpassed them, with titles like Expedition 33 and Blue Prince receiving mass acclaim from players and critics alike. But this leads to the big question: what makes indie titles resonate so strongly with the community? Is it their simplicity? Their art style? Their length? Their gameplay loop? In truth, it's often all of the above. With that in mind, welcome to my review of Sword of the Sea.
Story and World: A World In Need Of Saving
Sword of the Sea first crossed my radar when it was announced back in April of this year. At the time, it looked like the kind of cozy experience I'd squeeze in between bigger releases, so I never added it to my ever-expanding backlog. That turned out to be a mistake. From the very beginning, Sword of the Sea establishes itself as something truly special. You play as a Wraith, a silent protagonist tasked with restoring endless miles of barren desert into the pristine oceans they once were.
The story is simple in the best possible way, and from the opening scene it's clear developer Giant Squid has refined the formula from its previous entries – Journey and ABZÛ – to near perfection. The impossible journey takes you across striking biomes, from rolling deserts with windswept dunes to snowcapped mountains haunted by the iron remains of ancient guardians. And somehow, this simple tale of one lone figure bringing beauty back to a lost world is told without dialogue or pre-rendered cutscenes. It's pure atmosphere and immersion. If I had to sum up Sword of the Sea in one word, it wouldn't be "game"; it would be "experience."
The world itself is the true centerpiece. Watching dunes, snow, and peaks react to your movement as you surf, skate, and snowboard across them is one of the most striking visual showcases I've seen in years. Each restored ocean segment transforms the environment around you in ways that never stop inspiring awe. It sparked a sense of childlike wonder every time I brought a section of the world back to life.
And it isn't just about scenery. From orcas to dolphins to sharks, sea creatures play a role in your journey, reinforcing the idea that you're breathing life into a world in desperate need of renewal. Like Journey and ABZÛ, this is a game designed to be savored as an adventure, not rushed as a checklist. Its vibrancy, atmosphere, and simplicity provide a welcome break from the grind of everyday life.
Gameplay:
When it comes to gameplay, Sword of the Sea proves that simplicity isn’t always the worst mechanic. The entire game is built around one singular system – surfing on your sword – and it's mind blowing how far this mechanic carries the experience. The best part of all is that whether you’re moving on sand, snow, or stone, everything feels incredibly natural, with each surface reacting differently beneath your blade. Dunes fold and collapse like ocean waves in the wind, snow grips and resists with every turn, and rocky terrain offers a sharper edge to movement with an emphasis on precision. It all combines into one of the smoothest traversal systems I've ever played.
The best part? You're not just moving from point A to point B mindlessly. Tricks and stunts are woven directly into traversal, making style a key part of how you interact with the world. Pulling off spins, flips, and combos isn't just cosmetic; it's often the best way to navigate obstacles or reach hidden areas. At times, it feels like a blend of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, SSX, and DiRT, yet somehow still unique to Giant Squid's design.
Exploration pushes this even further. Instead of constant markers telling you where to go, you're encouraged to wander and experiment. Each area is packed with optional objectives: restoring every ocean puzzle, hunting down score challenges, or chasing gold currency scattered across the landscape. That gold allows you to unlock upgrades for your sword, ranging from new tricks to expanded traversal abilities that make replaying areas even more rewarding.
The replayability is what surprised me most. I often found myself returning to zones I had already "completed" just to shred across dunes, experiment with tricks, or uncover something I missed the first time. That sense of freedom makes the game feel alive in a way few adventure titles do. At its core, Sword of the Sea succeeds because the developers built an elegant foundation and trusted it to carry the entire experience. And it absolutely does.
Final Thoughts
Sword of the Sea is a title you shouldn't overlook. Its simplicity, polish, and attention to detail make it one of the year's standout releases. For me, it has been one of the biggest surprises in a year already packed with new genres and experiments outside my comfort zone. Its vibrant world and meditative story highlight just how far gaming has come as an art form, while its buttery-smooth mechanics deliver pure fun with every movement. Combine these elements, and you get more than a game; you get an unforgettable experience. Sword of the Sea is a triumph, and one that I believe will be remembered for years to come.
Sword of the Sea was released on 19 August 2025 for PlayStation 5 and PC. The game was reviewed on PS5.
