Bleak Sword originally launched on Apple Arcade back in 2019. It’s a dark fantasy game tasking players to struggle across compact, cursed diorama battlefields. Through nine chapters, heroes must lift the curse of the legendary Bleak Sword by striking down all manner of creatures in every forest, swamp, castle, and dungeon on their journey. Players will invoke powerful magic, uncover helpful items, and level up their characters to upgrade their stats before facing down menacing guardians. The game was designed to be played easily with elignant controls allowing heroes to roll, parry, attack, and counter-attack using basic movements and was scored by award-winning composer Jim Guthrie with sound by famed designer Joonas Turner. Now, Bleak Sword DX, the newly updated expanded version of the Apple Arcade game is set to launch on Nintendo Switch and PC on June 8, 2023.
Soulslike minimalism at its finest – Bleak Sword DX dodges and parries onto Nintendo Switch and PC on June 8! pic.twitter.com/40w1XwHoAY
— Devolver Digital (@devolverdigital) May 19, 2023
Bleak Sword DX includes all of the original chapters from the original version plus three DLC chapters complete with new level and enemy layouts. There is also a brand new randomizer campaign modifer that throws players into a remixed version of the original game where leveling up or facing bosses in order is not guaranteed. The brand new Boss Run gauntlet allows players to face all 12 in-game bosses back to back with only one health bar.
A new control system has been designed specifically for PC and consoles with new attacks, parries, and counters. Enemy AI has also been enhanced.
Graphical enhancements for the game include new post-processing effects, adaptive depth of field, and a series of filters that give Bleak Sword DX a fresh lick of paint, while particle effects, foliage, and weather enhancements bring a new level of atmosphere and immersion to the world.