Heavenly Sword animated series: Part I

by Alexander Sliwinski { Aug 8th 2007 at 1:45PM }

Was this Heavenly Sword cartoon originally conceived as a glorified commercial for the game? Sure it was. But so was the Star Wars: Clone Wars animated series on the Cartoon Network, and those things ended up being better than the movies. We won't be able to judge if the animated series is better than the game until Sept. 12, but so far we've been disappointed by neither.

In this first part of the animated series we learn the origins of the sword. Although eventually wielded by the Nariko, the sword actually belonged to ... well, watch the clip to find out. Oh, and we'll definitely take more of these animated series promoting games please. We're enjoying this and GameTap's Tomb Raider animated series very much.

[Via PS3 Fanboy]

Gallery: Heavenly Sword (PS3)

Tags: animated, cartoon, heavenlysword, heavenlyswordanimated

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

ForceUnleashed @ Aug 8th 2007 1:49PM

Clone Wars better than the movies?

I think not...

However Clone Wars was pretty awesome for what it was and compared to other shows like that.

Hence why I have all the episodes on my iPod.

OnimushaSoki @ Aug 8th 2007 2:04PM

I think the author meant it was better than the recent trilogy released... which I can agree with.

ForceUnleashed @ Aug 8th 2007 3:06PM

I disagree.

The recent trilogy was off the chain. However I like all 6 Star Wars Episodes.

But Clone Wars is definitely not better than Star Wars Episodes 1-3 in any shape or form.

t_m @ Aug 9th 2007 10:08AM

Come on.. clone wars blew episodes 1-3 out of the water.

Infact I wish I hadn't watched Clone Wars before I watched the movies, as it raised my expectations too high and only lead to disappointment.

Maybe If i'd used the movies as an intro to Clone Wars Goodness then that would have worked out better.

Jouten @ Aug 8th 2007 2:00PM

I really don't like to be so cynical, but by the time this game comes out, it will be super-over-hyped and a big let down. I'm already tired of hearing about this game.

Wasn't there some comment/blog entry from Joystiq about how this game isn't meeting expectations or something like that?

marcandrer @ Aug 8th 2007 2:22PM

joystiq reviewed this game and said it was great and not a GoW clone. The bad stuff that was said on it is only related to the short demo that is available on the PSStore. People didnt like only playing 5minutes. IMO a demo is a demo and shouldn't last and hour.

ExMcloud @ Aug 8th 2007 2:01PM

Hmm its okay..It reminds me of Afro Samuri. Lets see where it goes

Mike @ Aug 8th 2007 2:12PM

I was thinking the same thing about the resemblance to Afro Samurai. I'd watch this anime if they made it.

Kazi @ Aug 8th 2007 2:17PM

Afro Samurai's animation was much more high quality. This is a 3D and warp animation shit fest.

Digi Smalls @ Aug 8th 2007 2:15PM

that clip is beautiful. more beautiful than the game, and that's saying a lot.

i'm worried about the game, though the mechanics are designed to be deep, the sheer volume of enemies and how many hits they take could devolve it into a tiresome button masher.

i'd rather the game be beautiful and short then a chore. at least with this series you can sit back and watch the beauty.

.

BananaBoat @ Aug 8th 2007 2:16PM

I've said this before, and I'll say it again I'm sure; What arrogance for a company to plan a trilogy for, and create a series about, a property that isn't even out yet, and that may not sell very well at all. I guarantee you that noone had trilogy plans when GTA came out, or Halo:Combat Evolved. I own a PS3, and I agree with Itagaki that the "PRESS TRIANGLE NOW!" style of gameplay that Heavenly Sword employs, is retarded in this day and age. It was fine for God of War, but only because God Of War was so fast paced. Heavenly Sword is slow paced, and it will not be on my holiday shopping list this year.

ExMcloud @ Aug 8th 2007 2:21PM

Hey they're already not getting off on the right foot. There releasing around Halo 3 I think thats a really bad idea. I know they're not the same genre but Halo 3 will sell so much that it might make consumers say hmmm if everybody else is doing it why shouldn't I....They should definitely wait to release that game in October since GTA moved

bl13 @ Aug 8th 2007 3:20PM

How is Halo 3 going to affect Heavenly Sword sales at all? It'll prevent people that have both PS3 and 360 but can only afford 1 game in September from buying it? So all 4 of them?

WiNG @ Aug 8th 2007 2:19PM

not as good as preteen lara croft amirite?

ExMcloud @ Aug 8th 2007 2:23PM

Hells yes!!! LMAO

Otis Whitaker @ Aug 8th 2007 2:20PM

ESB > Clone Wars > Ep. 3 > ANH > EP. 1 > RotJ > Ep. 2

Lucas is a very bad writer, and a very bad director. He shouldn't be allowed to do any of his own stuff.

Mr Khan @ Aug 8th 2007 4:03PM

no, no, no

No one can possibly make a list of Star Wars goodness that doesn't put Return of the Jedi first

6 > 5 > 3 > Clone Wars > 4 > 2 > 1

JerJerBinks @ Aug 9th 2007 1:04AM

I agree, Lucas is a hack. When your main direction consists of "faster” or “more intense," you should probably hand over the reigns to a professional.

Hands Down, the best Star Wars movie was directed by Irving Kirshner.

marcandrer @ Aug 8th 2007 2:26PM

this is a PS3 exclusive and Halo3 is a 360 exclusive. I don't see why the sells would be affected. Maybe ppl owning both console. As one of those ppl I can I'll buy HS first. Never was that impressed with the Halo serie.

Matt B @ Aug 8th 2007 2:50PM

You took the words right from my mind.

Wirt @ Aug 9th 2007 11:32PM

its the same Hair!!!

Ihya @ Aug 8th 2007 2:29PM

Not bad at all!

hvnlysoldr @ Aug 8th 2007 2:31PM

This is not a rip of Clone Wars or Samurai Jack.

0ldb0y @ Aug 8th 2007 2:46PM

The style is similar to that of one of the Animatrix segments, but ultimately this clip faltered by lacking a lot of real animation.

I'll admit, though, I'd rather have great style and poor animation than great animation of horrendous style.

BananaBoat @ Aug 8th 2007 3:32PM

The animation looks like a combination of Samurai Jack and what a 300 cartoon would look like (were it ever to be made). I'm just glad they didn't go for the ridiculously fake, anime-"Inspired" (ripped off) look of other cartoons such as Avatar and the new Ninja Turtles *shudders*. On second thought, maybe it looks more like a Gorillaz music video than Samurai Jack.

Antec @ Aug 8th 2007 4:11PM

Totally agree that Clone Wars beat out everything the first 3 episodes had to offer. IMO The clone wars SHOULD HAVE been one of the Episodes.

This animation is amazing. Totally looking forward to Heavenly Sword since i first laid eyes on it.

t_m @ Aug 9th 2007 10:09AM

It should have been ALL the episodes!

Sidepocket @ Aug 9th 2007 2:32AM

The VO boarded me to death, but the art style and color was amazing.

You know what sucks? Drop the realistic look, I wish Heavenly Sword LOOKED like this!

Mike-453 @ Aug 8th 2007 4:25PM

Even Bioware pwns George Lucas when it comes to Star Wars storytelling.....

Zsavior @ Aug 8th 2007 6:29PM

That looked like a bad Samurai Jack episode.

As for clone wars they were way better than star wars epi 1 to 3. I can't judge the early ones(4,5,6) because that is like rating pac-man by todays gaming standards it just doesn't make sense.

What I will say is if they were redone, seeing how star wars episodes 1-3 were handled I think I would lose a lot more respect for Lucas. Clone wars made the Jedi look larger than life again, made them seem epic not just cool, and that is what I want when I see a star wars movie. The early movies were a duel between Epic good and epic evil, not just a poorly done drama with special effects splashed in.

Powerbomb @ Aug 8th 2007 7:34PM

I find it funny that Episodes I, II, and III (3 movies that are incredibly underrated) are slammed for having mindless action and looking like a cartoon. Meanwhile, Clone Wars which really is a cartoon with no story and nothing but mindless action is ceaselessly praised. What a backwards society we leave in.

ForceUnleashed @ Aug 8th 2007 7:44PM

I agree.

Episodes I, II, and III were epic in my view. Especially III.

Basically its just a lot of Lucas haters. Star Wars fans are probably worst than gamers when it comes to bitching about stupid things.

ForceUnleashed @ Aug 8th 2007 7:37PM

I know right!

Eppys 1, 2, and 3 were all awesome to me. And no its not because of the graphics. The storyline was great and very well thought out. And it definitely answered a lot of questions while keeping the action going.

Clone Wars was very cool and you'll never hear me say that it was useless but they are no where near the same level of coolness that Eppys 1, 2, and 3 are.

Basically its a lot of Lucas hate.