Swords, magic, and stuff. In the fantastical world of swords, magic, and stuff, imagination knows no bounds. This captivating domain is often depicted in literature, movies, and games, offering a thrilling escape from reality. These elements, when combined, create an enchanting setting filled with mystical powers, epic battles, and extraordinary characters. Swords, the iconic weapons of choice, hold undeniable charm and symbolize strength, honor, and skill. The gleaming blades, expertly crafted, become companions to heroes on their quests.
My third character was created because I wanted to try playing on my older media PC with my wife, so we could try playing with controllers with local co-op, but controllers weren’t yet supported nor was couch co-op. Online multiplayer exists, but my wife and I only have the one key, so my wife’s Moon Elf went out exploring into the wilds of Tirawyn. We quickly solved everyone’s problems in the little starting town, then went exploring outside, only to get very quickly overwhelmed by a very aggressive rat that charged at us from a bush.
Since there wasn t a visible delete character function at the time, I created a second character, thoroughly explored the tutorial, exited to the Tirawyn SMAS s setting proper, and got myself stuck on level geometry. I think mostly it is just getting used to bringing up your shield at the exact moment of the attack rather than my usual of holding the shield in front of me waiting for an attack and then striking.
The gleaming blades, expertly crafted, become companions to heroes on their quests. These weapons are often imbued with magical properties that augment their capabilities, making them even more formidable. Magic, an essential component of this realm, infuses the surroundings with otherworldly wonder.
Impressions: Swords n’ Magic and Stuff – Lots Of Stuff, And More Yet To Come
Swords n’ Magic and Stuff is absolutely 100% going for a cutesy vibe, but don’t let its appearance deceive you. SMAS is an open world RPG so chock full of adventure and exploration that even in its Early Access state I’m pretty sure I haven’t even scratched the surface of what it has to offer.
All these options are cosmetic, so be as fancy as you like
Let me start at the beginning. More specifically, character creation. I created three different characters (you can have five characters at a time on a copy and characters are for the moment locally saved) to see if the different races had any mechanical effect on quests, skills, or factions. So far they do not, appearing to be purely cosmetic so you can play the sort of character you want to be and still enjoy everything Swords n’ Magic and Stuff has to offer.
And offer it does. After a short tutorial segment on the ship that brings you to SMAS‘s initial island, you are allowed to run around, meet the locals, take quests, find loot, fight crabs, and just generally explore anywhere you can survive, and anywhere that currently exists, of course.
Think of it as a “coming soon” sign more than anything
Being that Swords n’ Magic and Stuff is in Early Access, there’s a lot of stuff currently unfinished, handily marked by an anvil sign to let you know it’s being worked on. Already in the few days I’ve played the game, it has already been patched twice to improve quality of life, iron out bugs, and literally just add content. Kindred Games seem absolutely committed to improving their game, so I do look forward to seeing what they add in the future.
Upon loading my first character, I managed to accidentally skip the tutorial by accessing the exit ladder when trying to pick up an item, since take and use are bound (as they often are) to the same key. I created a new character to double check the tutorial since the game regularly autosaves and you can’t go back to the tutorial once you leave. In general I approve of the autosave and see as a bonus, especially for a game in Early Access, though a hard save option would be nice. Anyways, I had to quit and restart since a quit to menu option doesn’t seem to exist. I found this odd, since Sword n’ Magic and Stuff features multiple save slots. What if I want to switch characters without quitting?
Since there wasn’t a visible delete character function at the time, I created a second character, thoroughly explored the tutorial, exited to the Tirawyn (SMAS‘s setting) proper, and got myself stuck on level geometry. Fortunately, the developers were aware that this might happen and coded in a handy feature. Typing “/stuck” into the chat window will get you into a clear area and free to move again. I ran around the starting town, getting used to movement and quests before calling it quits for that character for the moment.
My third character was created because I wanted to try playing on my older media PC with my wife, so we could try playing with controllers with local co-op, but controllers weren’t yet supported nor was couch co-op. Online multiplayer exists, but my wife and I only have the one key, so my wife’s Moon Elf went out exploring into the wilds of Tirawyn. We quickly solved everyone’s problems in the little starting town, then went exploring outside, only to get very quickly overwhelmed by a very aggressive rat that charged at us from a bush.
Rats hide in hard to see areas and leap out at you when you get close. Rude.
Looking back, we probably should have not gone out with only 15 HP remaining. No worries though, as we were able to run back into town as a ghost and revive ourselves at a lantern in town. There is a time limit to this trek, but I don’t know yet what happens if you fail to get back in time.
The game is pretty solid to play so far. You have a left hand and a right hand and can equip a weapon or shield in either or both hands. Weapons can be melee or ranged, mundane or magic. You also have a double jump and a roll. It’s not the high paced action of, say, a Platinum Games offering, but for an open world adventure RPG it works wonderfully. You can also upgrade your weapons and shield if you have the right resources, which gets into the game’s funny resource gathering system.
Attack a log and get wood. It’s not like that’s not technically what happens in the real world, it’s just sort of silly you can do it with a hammer and a dagger.
I don’t know if this is a temporary thing in beta, or if this is permanently a part of Tirawyn’s lore, but instead of chopping down trees or using a pickaxe on rocks, you just attack them like a random enemy. There’s even an NPC who exists to explain this unique mechanic to you.
In terms of graphics and responsiveness, Swords n’ Magic and Stuff works wonderfully. Its graphical style is something between Skyrim and Minecraft with a hint of Funko Pop, but it’s very well designed for its simplicity, with all the characters being easily identifiable despite their simple features. While there were obviously no problems running the game on my newer PC and its NVIDIA 2000 series card, my 11 year old PC also had no problems running the game on a 4k display at max settings, and it still looked amazing. The developers absolutely know the aesthetic they are working with and how to craft with it, especially their landscapes and vistas. The only thing to note is that on that lower end PC it did sometimes take the game a moment to finish rendering and populating items into a house when I first went in, but given that this test was specifically done on a decade old machine, you probably won’t have the same issue.
And all this is only one portion of what you can see if you look around a bit
If you can get behind its very blocky and cartoony aesthetic, Swords n’ Magic and Stuff is a great game to grab in Early Access. While it’s far from error free, updates are frequent; it got two in as many days while I was playing this review, quashing bugs and forcing rewrites of this preview. I shake my fist with mock anger at their friendly response to player concerns and rapid update schedule! One feature I’d love to see added to Swords n’ Magic and Stuff is the ability for couch co-op. SMAS already supports multiple local saves, and it just has the perfect look and feel for a game to play alongside a friend in the same room. With the caveat that this is nowhere near feature complete, yes, I would say it’s worth a shot. There’s tons to do and more is on the way.
In terms of graphics and responsiveness, Swords n’ Magic and Stuff works wonderfully. Its graphical style is something between Skyrim and Minecraft with a hint of Funko Pop, but it’s very well designed for its simplicity, with all the characters being easily identifiable despite their simple features. While there were obviously no problems running the game on my newer PC and its NVIDIA 2000 series card, my 11 year old PC also had no problems running the game on a 4k display at max settings, and it still looked amazing. The developers absolutely know the aesthetic they are working with and how to craft with it, especially their landscapes and vistas. The only thing to note is that on that lower end PC it did sometimes take the game a moment to finish rendering and populating items into a house when I first went in, but given that this test was specifically done on a decade old machine, you probably won’t have the same issue.
Wizards and sorcerers wield arcane powers, manipulating the very fabric of reality. Spells are cast, summoning fire, lightning, or creating illusions. With a flick of the wrist, magicians can heal wounds, enchant objects, or unleash devastating attacks. The possibilities are limitless, limited only by one's mastery of the mystical arts. Stuff, a catch-all term, encompasses the miscellaneous aspects that bring this world to life. From ancient artifacts to mythical creatures, from enchanted forests to medieval castles, every detail adds depth and richness. Stuff can include magical creatures such as dragons, unicorns, and phoenixes, as well as mystical realms accessed through portals or hidden doorways. It can also consist of enchanted items like amulets, potions, and talismans that aid characters in their quests. This genre sparks the imagination and allows us to explore different aspects of life. It often explores themes of good versus evil, the hero's journey, and the balance between power and responsibility. The stories transport us to a realm where anything is possible, where we can experience great adventures through the eyes of brave heroes. Swords, magic, and stuff continue to captivate audiences worldwide, standing as enduring symbols of fantasy and adventure. Whether in the pages of a beloved novel or on the big screen, this genre brings with it a sense of wonder, excitement, and the belief that even in the face of immense challenges, courage and perseverance will always prevail..
Reviews for "The Rituals and Ceremonies of Sword Worship: From Samurai to Knights"
1. John Doe - 1 out of 5 stars
I played Swords m Magic and Stuff for a few hours and I was left extremely disappointed. The game lacked depth and the gameplay felt repetitive and boring. The combat system was clunky and unresponsive, making it frustrating to engage in battles. Additionally, the graphics were outdated and the world felt empty and lifeless. Overall, I did not find any enjoyment or satisfaction while playing this game and I would not recommend it to others.
2. Sarah Smith - 2 out of 5 stars
I was excited to try Swords m Magic and Stuff, but it failed to live up to my expectations. The game lacked a compelling storyline, leaving me feeling uninterested and disconnected from the game's world. The quests were repetitive and lacked creativity, making them feel like tedious chores rather than exciting adventures. Furthermore, the game had numerous technical issues, such as frequent crashes and glitches, which further hindered my enjoyment. While the game had potential, it ultimately fell short in delivering an immersive and enjoyable experience.
3. Alex Johnson - 2 out of 5 stars
Swords m Magic and Stuff had a promising concept, but it failed to deliver on many levels. The controls were clunky and unintuitive, making it difficult to navigate the game world and engage in combat. The game also lacked depth and variety, with limited customization options and a limited range of activities to engage in. Additionally, the graphics were subpar, with unimpressive character designs and uninspiring environments. Overall, the game felt unfinished and lacking in content, leaving me bored and unsatisfied.