We Love It's Guide to…
Fight through cursed diorama arenas as a warrior seeking to break the Bleak Sword’s curse, using strikes, dodges, and parries.
Released 08 Jun 2023
Fight Diorama Waves
Parry and Counter
Recover Lost Gear
Discover and destroy increasingly horrifying creatures across an oppressive lofi world, wielding fierce weaponry and powerful magic in this pocket-sized action adventure.
Developed by more8bit · Published by Devolver Digital
As a warrior seeking to lift the curse of the legendary Bleak Sword, you battle through a dark fantasy world laid out in compact, miniature-style arenas. The campaign spans twelve chapters of short stages, each filled with enemies and occasional hazards.
Combat centers on a sword and shield: use quick or charged attacks, dodge with a roll, and time parries to counter enemy strikes. Clear stages to gain experience, choose stat upgrades, and find items, with room to carry two at a time. Death can cost carried items and unbanked experience; replaying the stage offers a chance to recover them.
Alongside the campaign, DX includes a Randomizer modifier that remixes its progression, a Boss Run against all twelve bosses, and an Arena mode with increasingly difficult enemies. The game also includes the original chapters and three additional chapters.
Players who enjoy Bleak Sword DX often point to its miniature pixel-art look, dark atmosphere, and demanding combat, especially the satisfaction of learning enemy patterns. Some also like the short stages and soundtrack. Criticism frequently focuses on how combat and enemy encounters can feel repetitive, while deaths and difficult late-game encounters can make progress frustrating.
| Platforms | Windows |
|---|---|
| Achievements | 37 |
| Age ratings |
|
| Controller support | Xbox |
| Controller required | No |
| Demo | View demo on Steam |
| DLC / extras | 1 listed on Steam |
| Website | Official website |
Games similar to Bleak Sword DX
