Crytivo and ForestWare have announced the release of the Sword Hero Combat Arena Demo, available as part of Steam’s ongoing Sword Celebration event. The demo offers players a first look at the combat systems behind Sword Hero, an open-world RPG that places survival and personal choice at its core.

A Harsh Beginning on the Island of Wes

In Sword Hero, players start with nothing, washed up on the shores of the Island of Wes—an open world defined by both danger and opportunity. Establishing a place in this environment means navigating faction quests, building a reputation, and even embracing body modifications that alter the human form.

The backdrop is a world where the Age of Humanity ended before it truly began. Players assume the role of one of the last surviving humans, tasked with forging a path through a hostile land. Exploration is open-ended: upgrade your character, fight enemies, and align with factions to survive.

Gameplay Structure

The game spans six chapters, each with branching storylines that adapt to player choices. Moral paths diverge, allowing players to become righteous or ruthless, a celebrated figure or a solitary wanderer.

NPC interactions reinforce this sense of variety. Characters shift their roles across playthroughs, creating different outcomes with each save file. Further progression includes the option to trade body parts for Golem Prosthetics from the Deep World, granting power beyond human limits.

Key Features

• Seamless Open World – Natural obstacles replace invisible walls, enabling exploration from the start.

• Dynamic Systems – Weather, NPC routines, crime, and faction wars evolve as players progress.

• Body Damage Combat – Target enemy weak points, dismember foes, and shape the flow of combat.

• Housing – Acquire houses or businesses, rent them out, or customize them for personal use.

• Colossal Creatures – Battle massive enemies in large-scale encounters.

• Persistent World – Corpses remain, vegetation burns and decays, and wounds or infections leave lasting consequences.

• Character Progression – Visible stat growth changes the character’s appearance, while prosthetics and tattoos expand abilities.

• Non-Level Scaling Enemies – All creatures are part of the ecosystem; they do not scale artificially with player progress.

• Living World – NPCs and factions reshape the environment even when players are not directly involved.

• Faction Alignment – Joining a faction unlocks exclusive gear and resources, with progression tied to reputation.

• Branching Storyline – Six chapters with heavily branching choices ensure unique playthroughs.