Severed (Video Game Review)

Drinkbox Studios has released their latest title Severed for the PS Vita.
Severed starts out with players venturing across a beautifully vibrant world with no real explanation. Gamers step into the role of a one-armed warrior named Sasha who ventures off into the unknown to rescue her family.

Severed takes place from the first-person perspective and there is very little storytelling throughout the game. The game controls involve swiping the screen to solve puzzles, discover secrets and battle a wide variety of monsters. Some of the enemies that players will come up against includes large skull wizards and creatures made of crows.

The gameplay in Severed has a very unique setup with the simplicity of older game titles. Enemies usually appear in groups of two or more and can become quite challenging as the game progresses. By touching the screen, you are able to initiate short and longer swipes to simulate sword strikes to take down incoming enemies. Gamers will often have to adjust their angle to do counter attacks and pay close attention to their battle strategy in order to be successful.

As you continue your journey, you get the opportunity to unlock new abilities, upgrades and more. The battles in Severed are not random and can be seen on the map ahead of time. The new abilities you gain can often help you unlock puzzles that you couldn't figure out by accessing new secret areas in previously explored dungeons.

The only flaw that we found with Severed was how hard it was to play on the PS Vita, between the touch screen mechanics and analog sticks for movement. While the mechanical issues hinder the overall enjoyment of Severed to some point, the game still managed to offer a fantastic experience on the PS Vita.

In the end, Severed is a morbid game that is beautifully drawn alongside a soundtrack that sets the mood for the entire story. Severed has a very unique combat system that takes some getting used to but ultimately delivers an experience full of endless possibilities. To learn more, visit the official Severed website.

Features:

• Dungeon Combat: Master offensive and defensive touch combat techniques to survive intense battles against a menagerie of enemies.
• Severing: Best enemies in combat for a chance at severing their body parts -- then wear them to gain new powers or consume them to upgrade your equipment and abilities.
• Exploration: Follow branching routes through the unknown, using your wits to avoid hazards and solve puzzles.
• Music: Original soundtrack from Juno-nominated band YAMANTAKA // SONIC TITAN featuring Pantayo.

Score: 8 out of 10
Reviewed for PS Vita