View source for Black Knight Sword


{{italic title}}
{{Infobox video game
|title=Black Knight Sword
|image=Black Knight Sword cover.jpg
|developer={{ubl|[[Digital Reality]]|[[Grasshopper Manufacture]]}}
|engine= [[Unreal Engine 3]]
|publisher=Digital Reality
|platforms=[[PlayStation 3]], [[Xbox 360]]
|released={{vgrelease|NA|December 11, 2012 (PS3)|NA|December 12, 2012 (360)|EU|December 12, 2012|AU|December 12, 2012 (360)|JP|January 10, 2013}}
|director=Ren Yamazaki
|designer=Ren Yamazaki
|producer=Shuji Ishikawa
|writer={{ubl|[[Goichi Suda]]|Ren Yamazaki}}
|composer=[[Akira Yamaoka]]
|genre=[[Platform game|Platform]], [[Metroidvania]]<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2011/09/12/grasshoppers-black-knight-sword-demoed-in-all-new-trailer/ | title = Grasshopper's Black Knight Sword Demoed in All-New Trailer | first = Alex | last = Osborn | date = September 12, 2011 | website = PlayStation LifeStyle | publisher = [[CraveOnline]] | access-date = July 14, 2016 | quote = "It looks like Suda51 and his team over at Grasshopper Manufacture are taking a stab at a side scrolling “Metroidvania” game of their own with ''Black Knight Sword''." | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160818021910/http://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2011/09/12/grasshoppers-black-knight-sword-demoed-in-all-new-trailer/ | archive-date = August 18, 2016 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref> 
|modes=[[Single-player]]
|artist = Kazuyuki Kurashima}}

{{nihongo foot|'''''Black Knight Sword'''''|ブラック・ナイト・ソード|Burakku Naito Sōdo|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a [[Side-scrolling video game|side-scrolling]] [[platform game]] co-developed by [[Grasshopper Manufacture]] and [[Digital Reality]]. It was released in North America on the [[PlayStation 3]] via the [[PlayStation Network]] on December 11, 2012 and on [[Xbox 360]] via [[Xbox Live Arcade]] on December 12, 2012.

==Gameplay==
[[File:Black Knight Sword screenshot.jpg|thumb|left|''Black Knight Sword'' has an [[Kamishibai]] art style.]]

''Black Knight Sword'' is a side-scrolling platform game. Players control a character who takes on the identity of the Black Knight and his sword on their quest to defeat the White Princess. The game features a theater styled backdrop whereupon the character remains static as the backdrops change place to give the player a feeling of movement.<ref name="engadget announce">{{cite web | url = https://www.engadget.com/2011/08/17/grasshopper-and-digital-reality-reveal-black-knight-sword-for/ | title = Grasshopper and Digital Reality reveal 'Black Knight Sword' for PSN and XBLA | first = JC | last = Fletcher | date = August 17, 2011 | website = [[Engadget]] ([[Joystiq]]) | publisher = [[Oath Inc.]] | access-date = June 4, 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180717154311/https://www.engadget.com/2011/08/17/grasshopper-and-digital-reality-reveal-black-knight-sword-for/ | archive-date = July 17, 2018 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref>

The player has a magical sword used to dispatch foes, and the game also features elements of platforming. Hearts can be collected from fallen enemies, which in turn can be used in various in-game shops to purchase equipment and upgrades.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.xboxachievements.com/news/news-11386-Black-Knight-Sword-Hands-On-Preview-%E2%80%93--Tis-But-a-Scratch-.html | title = Black Knight Sword Hands-On Preview – 'Tis But a Scratch! | first = Richard | last = Walker | date = April 6, 2012 | website = Xbox Achievements | access-date = June 4, 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160401160641/http://www.xboxachievements.com/news/news-11386-Black-Knight-Sword-Hands-On-Preview-%E2%80%93--Tis-But-a-Scratch-.html | archive-date = April 1, 2016 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref>

==Plot==
The game begins with a [[narrator]] stating "The wormwood sways back and forth, embracing the wind", as [[stage curtain]]s open to reveal the set of a [[Play (theatre)|play]], and the [[player character]], Grahame Wormwood, having committed [[suicide]] by hanging himself in an empty bedroom. He sways back and forth to free himself from the [[noose]] around his neck, and what lies in front of him on the floor is a black suit of armor impaled with a sword, and a small, doll-like female character, known as Black Hellebore hovering above it. Black Hellebore then seems to inhabit the sword by phasing inside of it, and Grahame pulls the sword from the suit of armor. The black suit of armor then binds itself to Wormwood, as the play continues with Wormwood (now as the Black Knight), with the help of Black Hellebore, progressing through [[stage set]]s filled with hostile creatures, whom are often disembodied heads, other grotesque monstrosities, and [[wild animals]].

The [[stage play]] is separated into and presented in 5 acts, with each act prefacing itself with [[fairy tale]]-like scenarios involving animals and their deaths. The animals in these stories serve as each act's finale. For example, one tale tells of a spider that saved a princess from entrapment, only to have been killed by her unassuming father upon her return. This spider then serves as the act's finale, with the Black Knight engaging it in battle. The narrator often tells the audience to "beware" before these encounters occur, and applauds the Black Knight when he defeats these creatures. This theme of Wormwood having to make his way past animals with seemingly unfortunate pasts continues until the play reaches its final act, which is prefaced with a story about two constantly bickering sisters. The story states that God disapproved of their arguing so much that He trapped the two inside of their own fairy tale, where they could bicker for the rest of eternity.

As the Black Knight makes his way to act 5's finale, the narrator (seemingly addressing the Black Knight himself) starts to question if he even remembers all the ones he's killed and loved. As color progressively fades from the set, the narrator continues to state that if they are forgotten, then there is "nothing left."

The Black Knight then finds himself standing in front of the hanged Grahame Wormwood, whom he cuts from his noose with his sword. The room then fills with white flowers as a White Princess appears. The Black Knight taunts the Princess and engages her in battle. The White Princess appears ethereal as she floats around, [[telepathically]] chucking disembodied heads at the Black Knight and growing to an inhuman size. She then begins throwing eggs at the Black Knight which hatch into the disembodied heads and grotesque creatures he's already been facing throughout the play, where it's revealed that the White Princess was in control of these creatures all along. After The Black Knight defeats the White Princess (with invaluable help from Black Hellebore), her body dissipates and leaves a white suit of armor and white sword behind, as a small, white, doll-like character emerges; White Hellebore. Black Hellebore and White Hellebore are the two sisters mentioned in the prefacing tale, and true to the story, they start fighting each other as the Black Knight watches on. White Hellebore then animates the white suit of armor, and the White Knight appears and begins to attack the Black Knight.

The game concludes with a battle between the Black Knight and the White Knight on a stage set that's looking down at the Earth. After the White Knight and White Hellebore are defeated, the Black Knight and Black Hellebore then return to the initial bedroom set of the play, passing all of the previous sets along the way. Before entering the room, Black Hellebore removes herself from the sword the Black Knight is holding and flies away, as the sword and the armor dissipate completely, with Wormwood freed from the armor's binding. Wormwood then enters the bedroom and once again hangs himself. The narrator then reiterates the line "The Wormwood sways back and forth, embracing the wind," and adds "one day, the fields themselves will wither and fade. The wormwood forgotten by all," as the stage curtains close and the play comes to an end.

==Development==
''Black Knight Sword'' was announced on August 17, 2011 at [[Gamescom]]. It was developed jointly by Grasshopper Manufacture and Digital Reality. The game is one of two collaborations between the two teams, the other being ''[[Sine Mora]]'', with Digital Reality publishing the game.<ref name="engadget announce" /> In response to an interviewer's question regarding the collaboration, Director of Publishing Balázs Horváth simply stated that the two teams "both know what makes a good game."<ref name="xblafans pax east">{{cite web | url = http://www.xblafans.com/wielding-the-black-knights-sword-at-pax-east-44324.html | title = Wielding the Black Knight's sword at PAX East | first = Nick | last = Santalego | date = April 8, 2012 | website = XBLAFans | access-date = April 14, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120413174550/http://www.xblafans.com/wielding-the-black-knights-sword-at-pax-east-44324.html | archive-date = April 13, 2012 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref> The storyline and tone were based on an early draft of ''Kurayami'', a game that was eventually reworked into ''[[Shadows of the Damned]]''.<ref name="SudaComplete">{{cite book|script-title=ja:『SUDA51 OFFICIAL COMPLETE BOOK GRASSHOPPER MANUFACTURE & HUMAN WORKS』|publisher=PIE Corporation|isbn=978-4-8356-3857-7|language=ja|date=30 June 2018}}</ref> A preview version was playable at [[Penny Arcade Expo]] (PAX) Prime 2011.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://shogungamer.com/news/13260/sine-mora-exclusive-developer-interview | title = Sine Mora Exclusive Developer Interview | first = Ian | last = Fisher | date = February 1, 2012 | website = Shogun Gamer | publisher = Shogun Gamer Media Inc. | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120204163150/http://shogungamer.com/news/13260/sine-mora-exclusive-developer-interview | archive-date = February 4, 2012 | url-status = usurped | access-date = June 4, 2018}}</ref> It was also shown with a playable demo at PAX East 2012 in Boston, Massachusetts.<ref name="xblafans pax east" /> Digital Reality has described the game as "[[Monty Python]] meets Czech animation meets Japanese [[Kamishibai|paper theater]]."<ref>{{cite magazine | url = https://www.gameinformer.com/games/black_knight_sword/b/ps3/archive/2011/08/19/grasshopper-brings-its-weirdness-to-dlgs.aspx | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190813184334/https://www.gameinformer.com/games/black_knight_sword/b/ps3/archive/2011/08/19/grasshopper-brings-its-weirdness-to-dlgs.aspx | url-status = live | archive-date = August 13, 2019 | title = Black Knight Sword (Preview): Grasshopper Brings Its Weirdness To DLGs | first = Jeff | last = Cork | date = August 19, 2011 | magazine = [[Game Informer]] | publisher = [[GameStop]] | access-date = April 3, 2012}}</ref> Composer [[Akira Yamaoka]] called the game "a throwback to the old-school classic side-scrolling action games."<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.shacknews.com/article/69780/black-knight-sword-is-grasshoppers-next-psn-and-xbla | title = Black Knight Sword announced for XBLA and PSN by Grasshopper Manufacture | first = Andrew | last = Yoon | date = August 17, 2011 | website = [[Shacknews]] | access-date = April 3, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120403121122/http://www.shacknews.com/article/69780/black-knight-sword-is-grasshoppers-next-psn-and-xbla | archive-date = April 3, 2012 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref> During early previews the game drew comparisons from critics to the ''[[Mega Man]]'', ''[[Strider (arcade game)|Strider]]'' and ''[[Castlevania]]'' series.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.destructoid.com/preview-black-knight-sword-209665.phtml | title = Preview: Black Knight Sword | first = Maurice | last = Tan | date = August 24, 2011 | website = [[Destructoid]] | publisher = Enthusiast Gaming | access-date = April 3, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120404092047/http://www.destructoid.com/preview-black-knight-sword-209665.phtml | archive-date = April 4, 2012 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.psu.com/news/black-knight-sword-preview/ | title = Black Knight Sword preview | first = Robert | last = Zwetsloot | date = September 1, 2011 | website = [[PSU.com]] | publisher = The Bishop Way Inc. | access-date = June 4, 2018}}</ref>

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| PS3 = true
| X360 = true
| na = true
| Destruct_PS3 = 6.5/10<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.destructoid.com/review-black-knight-sword-240426.phtml | title = Review: Black Knight Sword (PS3) | first = Chris | last = Carter | date = December 13, 2012 | website = Destructoid | publisher = Enthusiast Gaming | access-date = June 5, 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160404072254/http://www.destructoid.com/review-black-knight-sword-240426.phtml | archive-date = April 4, 2016 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref>
| EGM_PS3 = 5/10<ref>{{cite magazine | url = http://www.egmnow.com/articles/reviews/egm-review-black-knight-sword/ | title = EGM Review: Black Knight Sword (PS3) | first = Mollie L. | last = Patterson | date = December 14, 2012 | magazine = [[Electronic Gaming Monthly|EGMNow]] | publisher = EGM Media, LLC | access-date = June 5, 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180307051029/http://www.egmnow.com/articles/reviews/egm-review-black-knight-sword/ | archive-date = March 7, 2018 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref>
| EuroG_X360 = 6/10<ref name="eurog">{{cite web | url = https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-01-03-black-knight-sword-review | title = Black Knight Sword review (Xbox 360) | first = Simon | last = Parkin | date = January 3, 2013 | website = [[Eurogamer]] | publisher = Gamer Network | access-date = May 13, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170510072745/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-01-03-black-knight-sword-review | archive-date = May 10, 2017 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref>
| GameRev_PS3 = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/58363-black-knight-sword-review | title = Black Knight Sword Review (PS3) | first = Daniel R. | last = Bischoff | date = December 14, 2012 | website = [[Game Revolution]] | publisher = CraveOnline | access-date = June 5, 2018}}</ref>
| GSpot_PS3 = 7/10<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/black-knight-sword-review/1900-6401805/ | title = Black Knight Sword Review (PS3) | first = Peter | last = Brown | date = December 20, 2012 | website = [[GameSpot]] | publisher = [[CBS Interactive]] | access-date = June 4, 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160808042124/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/black-knight-sword-review/1900-6401805/ | archive-date = August 8, 2016 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref>
| GT_PS3 = 5.7/10<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gametrailers.com/reviews/51u6q8/black-knight-sword-review | title = Black Knight Sword - Review (PS3) | date = January 4, 2013 | website = [[GameTrailers]] | publisher = [[Viacom (2005–present)|Viacom]] | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130108225129/http://www.gametrailers.com/reviews/51u6q8/black-knight-sword-review | archive-date = January 8, 2013 | url-status = dead | access-date = June 5, 2018}}</ref>
| GameZone_PS3 = 6/10<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.gamezone.com/reviews/review-black-knight-sword-is-one-of-the-prettiest-games-of-the-year-but-sadly-nothing-more/ | title = Review: Black Knight Sword is one of the prettiest games of the year but sadly nothing more (PS3) | first = David | last = Sanchez | date = December 25, 2012 | website = GameZone | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130216095038/http://www.gamezone.com/products/black-knight-sword/reviews/review-black-knight-sword-is-one-of-the-prettiest-games-of-the-year-but-sadly-nothing-more | archive-date = February 16, 2013 | url-status = live | access-date = June 5, 2018}}</ref>
| IGN_PS3 = 6.9/10<ref name="ign">{{cite web | url = http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/12/14/black-knight-sword-review | title = Black Knight Sword Review | first = Nathan | last = Meunier | date = December 13, 2012 | website = [[IGN]] | publisher = [[Ziff Davis]] | access-date = June 4, 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181121024521/https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/12/14/black-knight-sword-review | archive-date = November 21, 2018 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref>
| IGN_X360 = 6.9/10<ref name="ign" />
| Joystiq_PS3 = {{Rating|2.5|5}}<ref name="engadget review">{{cite web | url = https://www.engadget.com/2012/12/14/black-knight-sword-review/ | title = Black Knight Sword review: All flash, no flesh | first = Jordan | last = Mallory | date = December 14, 2012 | website = Engadget (Joystiq) | publisher = Oath Inc. | access-date = May 13, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170211040257/https://www.engadget.com/2012/12/14/black-knight-sword-review/ | archive-date = February 11, 2017 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref>
| OXM_X360 = 7/10<ref>{{cite magazine | url = http://www.oxmonline.com/black-knight-sword-review | title = Black Knight Sword review | first = Cameron | last = Lewis | date = November 2012 | page = 77 | magazine = [[Official Xbox Magazine]] | publisher = [[Future US]] | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121216034710/http://www.oxmonline.com/black-knight-sword-review | archive-date = December 16, 2012 | url-status = dead | access-date = June 5, 2018}}</ref>
| Poly_PS3 = 6/10<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.polygon.com/2013/1/8/3852104/black-knight-sword-review-angel-of-death | title = Black Knight Sword review: angel of death (PS3) | first = Philip | last = Kollar | date = January 8, 2013 | website = [[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] | publisher = [[Vox Media]] | access-date = June 5, 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160602095309/http://www.polygon.com/2013/1/8/3852104/black-knight-sword-review-angel-of-death | archive-date = June 2, 2016 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref>
| rev1 = ''[[The Escapist (magazine)|The Escapist]]''
| rev1_PS3 = {{Rating|2.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/video-games/editorials/reviews/10104-Black-Knight-Sword-Review | title = Black Knight Sword Review (PS3) | first = Mike | last = Wehner | date = December 20, 2012 | website = [[The Escapist (magazine)|The Escapist]] | publisher = [[Defy Media]] | access-date = June 4, 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171130121448/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/video-games/editorials/reviews/10104-Black-Knight-Sword-Review | archive-date = November 30, 2017 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref>
| rev2 = ''[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]]''
| rev2_X360 = 6/10<ref>{{cite news | url = https://metro.co.uk/2012/12/14/black-knight-sword-review-something-completely-different-3316536/ | title = Black Knight Sword review - something completely different (X360) | first = Roger | last = Hargreaves | date = December 14, 2012 | newspaper = [[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]] | publisher = [[DMG Media]] | access-date = June 4, 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140911224205/http://metro.co.uk/2012/12/14/black-knight-sword-review-something-completely-different-3316536/ | archive-date = September 11, 2014 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref>
| MC_PS3 = 66/100<ref name="mcps3">{{cite web | url = https://www.metacritic.com/game/black-knight-sword/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-3 | title = Black Knight Sword for PlayStation 3 Reviews | website = [[Metacritic]] | publisher = CBS Interactive | access-date = 2019-05-13 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171203115804/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-3/black-knight-sword | archive-date = 2017-12-03 | url-status = live }}</ref>
| MC_X360 = 65/100<ref name="mcx360">{{cite web | url = https://www.metacritic.com/game/black-knight-sword/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360 | title = Black Knight Sword for Xbox 360 Reviews | website = Metacritic | publisher = CBS Interactive | access-date = 2019-05-13 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190501212145/https://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/black-knight-sword | archive-date = 2019-05-01 | url-status = live }}</ref>
}}

''Black Knight Sword'' received "mixed or average reviews" on both platforms according to the [[Review aggregator|review aggregation]] website [[Metacritic]].<ref name="mcps3" /><ref name="mcx360" />

Critics praised the game's art style, with ''[[Eurogamer]]'' stating, "Its richest ideas are to be found in the presentation, the aesthetic, the art direction and stage direction."<ref name="eurog" /> Reviewers often criticized its gameplay, however. While Meristation praised the gameplay, stating, "''Black Knight Sword'' is a good return to the roots of the 16-bit action games, well crafted, with an amazing design",<ref>{{cite web | url = http://meristation.as.com/xbox-360/black-knight-sword/analisis-juego/1535833 | title = Black Knight Sword (360) | language = Spanish | first = Pablo González | last = Taboada | date = December 13, 2012 | website = Meristation | access-date = June 4, 2018}}</ref> other reviewers cited the game's difficulty as a point of contention. ''[[Joystiq]]'' wrote, "Yes, [the PSN version's] Normal mode itself is tremendously hard, but not in such a way as to make the struggle seem worth it, or even remotely do-able."<ref name="engadget review" />

{{clear}}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{moby game|id=/black-knight-sword}}

{{Grasshopper Manufacture}}


[[Category:2012 video games]]
[[Category:Art games]]
[[Category:Dark fantasy video games]]
[[Category:Digital Reality games]]
[[Category:Grasshopper Manufacture games]]
[[Category:Hack and slash games]]
[[Category:Metroidvania games]]
[[Category:PlayStation 3 games]]
[[Category:PlayStation Network games]]
[[Category:Side-scrolling video games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Unreal Engine 3 games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Hungary]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]
[[Category:Video games featuring female protagonists]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Akira Yamaoka]]
[[Category:Xbox 360 games]]
[[Category:Xbox 360 Live Arcade games]]

{{Wikipedia attribution|original_title=Black Knight Sword|access_date=2026-02-27}}