Sword of the Sea is what happens when Matt Nava strides back into Journey's shadow

Sword of the Sea is a game focused on fluid movement across desert dunes using a blade for surfing. Players explore ancient towers and uncover secrets of past civilizations within the environment. The core gameplay encourages players to relinquish control and embrace the physics-driven flow of the character. Exploration leads to the discovery of glowing orbs and gems, transforming the environment into underwater scenes. The player character, adorned in robes and a mask, effortlessly navigates both the sand and the aquatic landscapes. Players can perform tricks, break objects for currency, and use various abilities like grinding and hovering. The game offers minimal tutorial prompts, encouraging intuitive play and environmental puzzle-solving. The environment tells a story, prompting players to unlock new areas by discovering hidden areas and secrets. The author was immediately drawn into the game's meditative atmosphere, finding it immersive and captivating, wanting to play more. The game's creator emphasizes the process of learning, failing, and mastering surfing, reflecting the core experience. The game’s focus is on the character's connection to the environment, using a zoomed-out camera perspective to emphasize this. The game marks a departure for its creator, embracing his artistic vision without constraints after working on other games. This game also incorporates music by Austin Wintory, which dynamically adapts to the player's progress and the story's advancement. The game offers a wealth of secrets to discover, encouraging players to freely explore and experiment with the world. Sword of the Sea is scheduled to release on various platforms in August.