TheRetroArcade
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Joined: Feb 2026
The tech demo "was not intended to represent the final version of the game".
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Medieval duelling simulator Half Sword was a whole hit during last October's Steam Next Fest. Its goofy, grisly tech demo was the most popular playable snippet of the entire showcase, with players going haywire for its elastic, haphazard duels where your weapons were as much a threat to yourself as your opponent.
Unfortunately, the demo's popularity has seemingly come back to bite developer Half Sword Games in its early access launch. Although Half Sword attracted a big audience upon its alpha release in January, the response by players has been as divided as a human skull when struck by a Zweihander.
The issues cited by players are numerous. But the main problem is that combat in the early access version feels very different from the tech demo, with some Steam reviews claiming that the system is harder to grapple with, and much easier to send your character into a flailing ragdoll. The developers point out that the tech demo was based upon a much older version of Half Sword, and its system have been built out much more in the interim:
"After development branched into Early Access and away from the tech demo, the locomotion and combat systems have changed significantly" writes the Half Sword team in a Steam post. "Every new procedural animation such as grips, stances, or damage reactions introduces new variables that must be tested and rebalanced. Because of this combat can feel different between updates while those systems continue to evolve. An improvement in the controls on our end can sometimes feel like a massive change for players."
For those hoping Half Sword might revert to the model seen in the tech demo, the team makes it clear this isn't going to happen. The developers point out that the demo was created "to showcase the early core mechanics" and that "it was not intended to represent the final version of the game," they write. That said, the current implementation doesn't represent the finished version either: "Combat balance and weapon handling will continue to evolve as new features are added, and those additions will naturally require further adjustments."
The divergence between Half Sword's demo and the early access version isn't the only issue that the team addresses. On the subject of technical issues, the team says that "our main focus has been pe...Read more: Full article on www.pcgamer.com
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GamesRadar+
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Every Thursday
GTA 6 O'clock
Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.
Every Friday
Knowledge
From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.
Every Thursday
The Setup
Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.
Every Wednesday
Switch 2 Spotlight
Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.
Every Saturday
The Watchlist
Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.
Once a month
SFX
Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!
Medieval duelling simulator Half Sword was a whole hit during last October's Steam Next Fest. Its goofy, grisly tech demo was the most popular playable snippet of the entire showcase, with players going haywire for its elastic, haphazard duels where your weapons were as much a threat to yourself as your opponent.
Unfortunately, the demo's popularity has seemingly come back to bite developer Half Sword Games in its early access launch. Although Half Sword attracted a big audience upon its alpha release in January, the response by players has been as divided as a human skull when struck by a Zweihander.
The issues cited by players are numerous. But the main problem is that combat in the early access version feels very different from the tech demo, with some Steam reviews claiming that the system is harder to grapple with, and much easier to send your character into a flailing ragdoll. The developers point out that the tech demo was based upon a much older version of Half Sword, and its system have been built out much more in the interim:
"After development branched into Early Access and away from the tech demo, the locomotion and combat systems have changed significantly" writes the Half Sword team in a Steam post. "Every new procedural animation such as grips, stances, or damage reactions introduces new variables that must be tested and rebalanced. Because of this combat can feel different between updates while those systems continue to evolve. An improvement in the controls on our end can sometimes feel like a massive change for players."
For those hoping Half Sword might revert to the model seen in the tech demo, the team makes it clear this isn't going to happen. The developers point out that the demo was created "to showcase the early core mechanics" and that "it was not intended to represent the final version of the game," they write. That said, the current implementation doesn't represent the finished version either: "Combat balance and weapon handling will continue to evolve as new features are added, and those additions will naturally require further adjustments."
The divergence between Half Sword's demo and the early access version isn't the only issue that the team addresses. On the subject of technical issues, the team says that "our main focus has been pe...Read more: Full article on www.pcgamer.com
What do you think about this?