If I had to go to heaven so I can look at and play this game, I just might start being a good boy.

Heavenly sword is your typical hack and slash game, but on some sort of addictive drug, like heroin or speed, not like I’d know. Just to briefly recap the game, here is an excerpt from Michael “Optimus” Perry’s Heavenly Sword Preview which can be found on DPAD, right now!

“The story for HS revolves around the female main character Nariko, who is the daughter of the leader of a warrior clan which is responsible for guarding the lethal Heavenly Sword. Nariko’s warrior clan was wiped out of existence by an invading king (more on this later) and Nariko recklessly takes hold of the Heavenly Sword in order to get revenge. There is a catch to this Sword though as anyone who wields it is destined to die as it slowly kills the user.

Heavenly Sword is an action adventure game not too different from God of War in regards to game play. As a matter of fact Heavenly Sword has taken on the nickname “Goddess of War” and it is rather fitting. What makes Heavenly Sword so impressive is a combination of things. First off it has truly impressive art design and uses a number of graphical features to amazing effect. Everything appears to be just right with this game. Simply put Heavenly Sword showcases the best use of HDR on the PS3 and other PS3 titles should follow suit.”

So, I demoed a very sweet level as Nariko, all of it was in Japanese so it was especially hard to pick up what the small story was unfolding before me, but I get the idea of it. Someone is mad and needs to die, and I have the power and the will to see it through, yadda, yadda, yadda.

The very first step is arriving to the bad guys. There are 4 giant ropes that are holding together this stand alone platform which I need to glide across. Once the bad guys seem me, they hack the ropes, causing them to loose its tightened grip and they begin to fall. It is my job to now jump from rope to rope and keep balance until I reach the platform. I do, of course and the SQUARE button highlights as I land, as I press it, I leap onto one of the guard type guys and promptly tackle him and break his neck. Sweet huh? Although I seem outnumbered, I am wielding a huge sword! I am packing a couple special moves and incredible agility as I tear through my enemies.

About a dozen or so guards have at me as I spin and dance and stab each and every one of them. A couple flips later and try my special move again, which allows me to jump on the enemies back, punch, stab and flip him on his stomach, where I sit on his back, grab his neck, break it and crack his jaw open. Sounds painful and disturbing, but it is done with elegance… Sort of.

Now that I’ve killed off my enemies, remember that big tower I was on? Well I cut the rest of the ropes holding it on, so it soon collapses on the very base that I am trying to invade and crushes several foes. I am not in a small square with over a dozen more very friendly guys wanting to kill me. There are a couple different types of enemy units, from what appears to be traditional Japanese fighting gear, to robe and sword, all look extremely impressive and detailed.

It was possible for me to pick up a different type of giant sword looking weapon and the blows that were dealt were now just as bad, if not worse. The game isn’t particularly graphic or gory, but there was ample blood to fill the streets.

Well, unfortunately my taste was over in about ten minutes, maybe less, however my fingers and hands felt like they were going for 2 days. This is pretty much a button smasher to attempt to combine several different attacks to make a “super” attack and eventually obliterate your enemy, which I did successfully. Your health bar appears at the top right of your screen, and I really wasn’t in any danger. I then realized I was probably invincible for the purpose of the demo, but I’ll choose to ignore that.