Summary
- Release Year: 2001
- Genres: Adventure, Fighting, Hack and slash/Beat ’em up, Role-playing game (RPG)
- Platforms: PC (Microsoft Windows)
- Developers: Rebel Act Studios
- Publishers: Codemasters, Friendware
Severance: Blade of Darkness (2001)
Severance: Blade of Darkness is a dark fantasy action RPG developed by Rebel Act Studios and published by Codemasters. It was released for Microsoft Windows in 2001. The game follows the fate of four characters and their quest to defeat an evil Necromancer and retrieve a legendary sword.
The player can choose between four characters:
- Arno the Knight: A skilled warrior with a strong sense of justice. He is the most well-rounded of the four characters, with good stats in all areas.
- Marius the Barbarian: A fierce and powerful warrior who relies on brute strength. He has the highest strength and health of the four characters, but he is also the slowest.
- Saturas the Dwarf: A skilled craftsman and a master of axes. He is the most agile of the four characters, and he can also use his crafting skills to create powerful weapons and armor.
- Xana the Amazon: A skilled archer and a deadly assassin. She is the most fragile of the four characters, but she can deal massive damage from afar.
Each character has their own unique starting area, but they all eventually end up in the same levels. The sequence of the stages can be chosen by the player, as a world map in between the stages prompts the player to decide where to go next.
The game’s combat is fast-paced and brutal. The player must use a combination of melee attacks, ranged attacks, and magic to defeat their enemies. The game also features a unique “dismemberment system” that allows the player to sever their enemies’ limbs.
Severance: Blade of Darkness was a critical and commercial success. It was praised for its challenging combat, unique characters, and epic story. The game has been cited as an influence on many other action RPGs, including the Dark Souls series.
Gameplay
Severance: Blade of Darkness is an action RPG that is played from a third-person perspective. The player controls one of the four characters as they travel through a variety of levels, fighting enemies, solving puzzles, and completing quests.
The game’s combat is fast-paced and brutal. The player must use a combination of melee attacks, ranged attacks, and magic to defeat their enemies. The game also features a unique “dismemberment system” that allows the player to sever their enemies’ limbs.
The player can also use the environment to their advantage. For example, they can kick enemies into spikes or knock them off ledges. The game also features a variety of traps and hazards that the player must avoid.
In addition to the main story, Severance: Blade of Darkness also features a number of side quests. These quests can be completed to earn experience points, gold, and items. The player can also find hidden areas and secret items throughout the game.
Characters
The four playable characters in Severance: Blade of Darkness are:
- Arno the Knight: A skilled warrior with a strong sense of justice. He is the most well-rounded of the four characters, with good stats in all areas.
- Marius the Barbarian: A fierce and powerful warrior who relies on brute strength. He has the highest strength and health of the four characters, but he is also the slowest.
- Saturas the Dwarf: A skilled craftsman and a master of axes. He is the most agile of the four characters, and he can also use his crafting skills to create powerful weapons and armor.
- Xana the Amazon: A skilled archer and a deadly assassin. She is the most fragile of the four characters, but she can deal massive damage from afar.
Each character has their own unique abilities and playstyle. The player can choose the character that best suits their playstyle and preferences.
Story
The story of Severance: Blade of Darkness follows the fate of four characters and their quest to defeat an evil Necromancer and retrieve a legendary sword.
The game begins with the four characters being summoned to the castle of the Necromancer, Zaramoth. Zaramoth has kidnapped the princess of the kingdom, and he plans to use her to summon an army of darkness.
The four characters must band together to defeat Zaramoth and save the princess. They must travel through a variety of dangerous levels, fighting enemies, solving puzzles, and completing quests.
Along the way, the four characters will learn more about each other and their own pasts. They will also discover the secrets of the legendary sword, the Blade of Darkness.
The Blade of Darkness is a powerful weapon that is said to be able to defeat any evil. The four characters must use the Blade of Darkness to defeat Zaramoth and save the kingdom.
Reception
Severance: Blade of Darkness was a critical and commercial success. It was praised for its challenging combat, unique characters, and epic story. The game has been cited as an influence on many other action RPGs, including the Dark Souls series.
The game was also praised for its graphics and sound design. The game’s levels are large and detailed, and the character models are well-animated. The game’s soundtrack is also excellent, and it helps to create a dark and atmospheric atmosphere.
Overall, Severance: Blade of Darkness is a classic action RPG that still holds up today. With its challenging combat, unique characters, and epic story, it’s a must-play for fans of the genre.
Review Score
8.5/10
Art
Cover Art
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