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Bleak Sword DX takes simple action game mechanics and polishes them to near perfection. The combat is immensely satisfying, and the enemy and level variety keeps things interesting from start to finish. How much you get punished for dying can feel a little harsh, but as long as you become a master of the sword and board you’ll save the kingdom and feel great doing it.

Whether you were a fan of the original game or a newcomer to this twisted world of dioramas, Bleak Sword DX provides a perfectly action-packed experience that's sure not to disappoint.

Bleak Sword DX is an excellent game with its easy-to-learn but hard-to-master gameplay. While things may look bleak, it is never hopeless.

Bleak Sword DX is a gorgeous, nostalgic, and clever game for something built in a simplified structural way. More8Bit did a superb job of creating a fast gameplay environment while also maintaining creativity with its enemies and maps. While it may not seem like much, it has some moxie to it. Be forewarned, though, it also contains a heavy amount of frustration.

Bleak Sword DX might keep things simple with its combat and visual style, but it makes for an engrossing experience that’s a ton of fun to play. I loved the gameplay loop of progressing between levels, levelling up, and dealing with every new threat the game sent my way, whilst the more challenging moments (and many deaths) never feel like a massive deterrent thanks to the game’s bite-size level setup. And sure, it can be rough losing your items and experience points, but with players getting a shot at redemption, it never feels unfair.

Bleak Sword DX is an absolute treat that takes the core pillars of the soulslike genre and distills them into a wonderfully moreish, action-packed adventure. The narrow focus, coupled with the unforgiving nature of the gameplay and progression loops, may put some off, but not every game has to be for everyone, and I commend the developers for sticking with the vision they clearly had. If, like me, you love soulslikes, but have found yourself feeling slightly alienated due to the scope that some of the genre’s heavy hitters bring, then I urge you to check out Bleak Sword DX and let it get its pixelated hooks into you.

Bleak Sword DX is a hauntingly beautiful game, with a fantastically executed Dark Fantasy world and great combat hidden behind a deceptively simple art style. Fans of Dark Souls or Dark Fantasy as a genre would be missing out if they don’t give Bleak Sword DX a try.

Au final, qu’est-ce qu’on en retire de Bleak Sword DX? On ne va pas se mentir, ce jeu ne fera sans doute pas partie des listes de fin d’année comme meilleur jeu.

Un juego con unas mecánicas de acción simples pero muy bien implementadas. Que hacen de su interacción y especialmente del combate, algo tremendamente satisfactorio y variado entre tantas situaciones y enemigos. Y todo bajo esa esencia de evolución muy souls que siempre apasiona y engancha. Así que no prez juguéis, y dejaros absorber por la oscuridad que rodea a este blanco caballero.

Bleak Sword DX thrives on its bosses, its laser-focused design for the classic campaign and its moody atmosphere. Sadly, the DX version adds three new chapters that overstay their welcome and some of the “visual improvements” end up cluttering and creating unnecessary visual noise. Still a solid game overall.

Bleak Sword DX es un juego de acción que centra su diversión en los combates tipo souls, lo que supone un adictivo reto que te hará picarte y querer superar cada fase hasta vencer al mal. Es un título sencillo pero extremadamente original y divertido. Lo he disfrutado más que mucho, aunque en el tramo final pierde frescura y puede llegar a ser repetitivo, pero aún así es altamente recomendable.

El apartado artístico es igual que el juego, sencillo pero original y muy sorprendente. Pocas veces tan pocos colores han logrado transmitir tanto. No es el juego de mi vida, pero sinceramente creo que la experiencia ha merecido la pena y que no lo voy a olvidar, Bleak Sword DX se ha ganado un hueco en mi corazón y en mi retina.

Bleak Sword DX offers a fun minimalist Soulslike journey on Nintendo’s console. As you play through each bite-sized diorama-style level, you’ll need to attack, roll, block, and counterattack your way to victory as you gain experience points and level up, obtain new items to equip and consumables to heal your wounds. You can customize your experience on the settings menu. You can change the language or set the value for the volume for music and sound effects. Set the values for camera movement, screenshake, runble, and lighting strength. There’s even the option of choosing between a Performance Mode or a Quality Mode for the game’s graphics. 

Bleak Sword DX es la simple y adictiva versión mejorada de Bleak Sword con 3 nuevos niveles cargados de enemigos y nuevos modos de juego. El título alardea de su sencillez y se nutre de ello, lo mismo ocurre con el apartado artístico, que a pesar de ser simple nos deja ver más allá. Sin duda Bleak Sword DX se trata de un título más que recomendable.

Bleak Sword DX tiene un montón de añadidos que justifican esa coletilla deluxe mientras reafirman su apuesta por la dificultad —esa campaña DX, el modo Arena y hasta un Boss Rush que habrá que superar del tirón con solo una barra de vida—, mejora un apartado artístico soberbio y limpio reducido a lo mínimo necesario a través de unos dioramas que se sienten vivos, y lima todas las asperezas necesarias para que la transición al mando sea lo más fiel al de iPhone a pesar de perder una de las ideas que definían su identidad. Lo mejor de esta versión Deluxe, en realidad, es que el público potencial ha escapado del ecosistema cerrado de iOS para que mucha más gente pueda disfrutar del brillante universo de Bleak Sword.

A surprisingly solid Soulslike, Bleak Sword DX does exactly what it sets out to do and nothing else, which makes it hard to fault. Once you get the timing down on the limited actions at your disposal, you’ll find the monsters full of character even as they try to beat you to death. You’ll die often but the game does a great job of making each death feel like a learning experience rather than a punishment. Short and sweet.

Bleak Sword DX es una continuación de la popular versión para Apple Arcade con unos controles elegantes, tres modos de juego nuevos y numerosas mejoras gráficas y de jugabilidad. A lo largo de 12 capítulos muy bien ambientados y tensos, deberás eliminar la maldición de la legendaria Espada Sombría acabando con un gran elenco de criaturas tenebrosas en un mundo repleto de armas brutales y magia poderosa.

Un souls-like minimalista que añade más contenido y pule todavía más sus aparatados en la versión DX para Switch y PC. Un juego en parte corto, pero que se puede alargar hasta donde cada uno esté dispuesto de retar a los numerosos enemigos que salen en los niveles tipo diorama.

Bleak Sword DX could be deceiving with its "mobile game" air, but underestimating the merits of the experience it offers would be a mistake. Frustration is real and there are some limits, but when the essential is so clearly visible to the eye and fascinating, it becomes easy to accept them and enjoy what is there.

Bleak Sword DX is a tough sword-slashing adventure that stands out thanks to its interesting visuals and standalone levels. Although this exciting outing feels fresh and looks great, the difficulty level may be too high for some players.

Bleak Sword DX is a pocket-sized roguelike adventure that has you battling horrifying creatures across an oppressive lofi world, wielding fierce weaponry and powerful magic.

Bleak Sword is quick and to the point. Sometimes that’s all you need.

Bleak Sword DX es un minimalista título en 2D (pixel art) que toma prestados elementos de los souls-like con una propuesta arcade tan simple como adictiva y divertida.

Bleak Sword DX provides an enchanting experience that will keep you engaged throughout your journey. It may not be for everyone, but if you're up for a challenge and appreciate artistic pixel graphics, this indie title is well worth your time.

Bleak Sword DX is the rare instance where it does overstay its welcome, but if played in small bursts, is brilliant. While it doesn’t run out of new ideas, it does drain the player through its numerous arenas and modes, it’s an exhaustive amount of content that it never runs dry on. Playing something so challenging that originated on Apple Arcade, but now expanded and reworked for PC and Switch shows that it has a home on these new platforms. The dioramas that encapsulate the arenas to fight on are some of the more unique elements, to include its visual and enemy design, makes Bleak Sword DX easy to recommend.

Bleak Sword DX lässt mich zwiegespalten zurück. Auf der einen Seite applaudiere ich diesem kleinen Soulslike, das im überlaufenen Genre mit einem konzentrierten Konzept und minimalistischer Optik hervorstechen will und dabei grundlegend überzeugen kann, weil das kernige Kampfsystem gut funktioniert und einen angenehmen Umfang mit großer Gegnervielfalt und fairen Bossen bietet. Auf der anderen Seite haben mich die Feindesmassen im späteren Spielverlauf immer wieder an meine Grenzen gebracht: Viele der Level sind schlicht zu lang und wenn ich nach zehn Gegnern gedacht habe „Das muss es jetzt aber wirklich gewesen sein“, ist Bleak Sword DX auf meiner Hoffnung herumgetrampelt und hat noch zehn weitere in die Arena geschickt. Wenn einige der Kreaturen sich dann auch noch wild durch die Gegend teleportieren, dabei unverwundbar sind und Zeit schinden, bis der nächste Sensenmann auf den Bildschirm trampelt, um mich dann ins Kreuzfeuer zu nehmen, fühlen sich die Begegnungen alles andere als ausgeglichen an. Wer vor dem Release von Lies of P und Lords of the Fallen nach neuen Herausforderungen sucht und sich mit einer hohen Frusttoleranz brüstet, dürfte mit Bleak Sword DX trotzdem eine gute Zeit haben.

Bleak Sword DX is dedicated to anyone who wants a Dark Souls-like experience in 2D, delivered in small chunks, with good mechanics, hard difficulty, and a grimdark setting and presentation. Fights are very quick, which means it’s easy to play a few in a session just to decompress, without the pressure to make progress or explore some complicated narrative thread.

Bleak Sword DX is all about sword fighting, dodging, suffering and advancing. It is perfect for your Switch or your Steam Deck.

Bleak Sword XD é uma tensa e incomum jornada de ação. O foco está em combates complicados por arenas compactas repletas de perigos e inimigos em que qualquer erro é fatal. Os embates são intensos e difíceis, sendo necessário precisão e observação para sobreviver, e a diversão está justamente em dominar todas as nuances para superar as adversidades.

Bleak Sword DX wants you to hate it and hate yourself, and it’s gotten an online degree in loathing from the University of Phoenix. It’s the embittered spirit of a Dickensian orphan crammed into a child’s puzzle manufactured in a Soviet-era toy factory. It’s a Soulslike without soul, just pain and the word “progress” spray painted and misspelled on a truck coming to run you over. It’s an Apple Arcade game that lets iPhone users find even more reasons to be angry, and it came to the world to inspire everyone to just give up. It’s tight in execution, just like a noose, but without the satisfying release after you say the safe word. It’s as grim as it should be and unapologetic, and that’s admirable. Just walk into Bleak Sword DX and accept your punishment.

Bleak Sword DX is a good challenge with a wonderfully designed retro 3D aesthetic, a steadily paced, increasing difficulty of enemies to keep the content feeling fresh, and some nice gameplay changes to ensure you’ll stick with it through the fun times and the rough. Odd disconnection issues, combat and control repetition and responsiveness do add to the frustrations a bit, but not enough to deter you from this satisfyingly savage slasher.

Bleak Sword DX è un’esperienza breve, una sorta di dark souls destrutturato e più accessibile. Il livello di sfida si mantiene alto e lo stile visivo, che può non piacere a tutti, offre una buona identità e a suo modo funziona. Come funziona bene il sistema dei diorama. Il titolo presta il fianco a una ripetitività di fondo innegabile e a una trama che non lascia alcun segno. In compenso è un titolo perfetto per chi ha poco tempo a disposizione e vuole comunque far stragi di nemici in un’atmosfera dark- fantasy pixellosa.

However, for all the good, the reality is that Bleak Sword is in serious need of substance, and the novelty of a “lo-fi Soulslike” on mobile is lost a little on a proper console.

Bleak Sword DX falls short of greatness due to its questionable adherence to minimalism. It comes close to being interesting, but the lack of variety keeps it boring. Bleak Sword DX‘s strengths are its low barrier to entry and how it pushes the player forward with its casual design.

That’s not to say there’s nothing good here, however. It’s a solid foundation, but where other games would strive to build something on that foundation, Bleak Sword DX unfortunately just leaves it as a slab of concrete.