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PAX Prime Hands-On: Black Knight Sword | PSNStores

PAX Prime Hands-On: Black Knight Sword

Posted by on August 29th, 2011 | 0 Comments | Tags: , ,

Tucked away on the far side of the expo hall, packed in between 6 other games, I found Black Knight Sword, a 2D puzzle-platformer with a unique art style. The game comes from the wacky folks at Grasshopper Manufacture, so you know there’s some craziness to be had in this title. All of game takes place on a stage, and the whole artsy aesthetic looks impressive. Running to the right (the job of most platforming characters), I noticed that I was staying in the center of the screen. The stage underneath my character was actually the thing moving. The backgrounds toppled into place as I double jumped over obstacles and impaled flying heads, and I couldn’t help but marvel at how stunning the whole thing looked in motion.

It’s a bit reminiscent of LittleBigPlanet in that cardboard cutout characters whose joints are tacked together and whose limbs flop about in a marionette fashion. However, the game’s platforming isn’t floaty in the slightest, and there’s even a double jump, so you know I’m sold. I explored the environments pretty thoroughly and found hearts and other items. At one point, I got to a shop where I could spend the hearts to buy either instant or lasting upgrades for my character and his equipment. I couldn’t hear the sound too well but the press release for BKS boasts some immersive orchestral tunes. Check out this offscreen footage of me rocking out to some Black Knight Sword.

No release date yet, and the game felt a bit early, but I’m definitely keeping an eye out for this one. I lovvvve me some solid 2D platforming.