Ninja Theory’s PS3 God of War Like Game Is Better, and Needs a Remake Now

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Kratos is a hugely popular PlayStation character, especially after the 2018 God of War game. However, the original games on PlayStation 3 presented a very different Kratos – a furious young warrior battling the gods. While I absolutely love the 2018 God of War, I never really connected with the earlier trilogy. Instead, another game with similar action and gameplay completely won me over. It’s a shame this game never got a sequel or the attention it deserved, because I actually think it was better than Kratos’s journey through Greek mythology.

Heavenly Sword was a fantastic game for the PlayStation 3, and it’s surprising it didn’t become as popular as God of War. Before its release on September 12, 2007, it actually had a series of animated episodes created for it, and even an animated film came out seven years later. The main character, Nariko, was also featured in the PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale, representing one of the few playable female characters. Despite all of this support, Nariko and Heavenly Sword haven’t been updated or rereleased, not even on the PlayStation 5, and have largely been forgotten.

Heavenly Sword Was the PS3’s Forgotten God of War Competitor

When Heavenly Sword came out in 2007, people immediately started comparing it to God of War. Both games told epic stories about revenge, used a similar over-the-shoulder camera style, and featured strong heroes with powerful weapons. Nariko’s dual blades even looked a lot like God of War’s Blades of Chaos. However, while God of War focused on anger and brute force, Heavenly Sword emphasized elegance and skillful combat.

Nariko wasn’t a super-soldier or a goddess; she was a warrior destined for greatness, carrying the hopes of her people. The powerful Heavenly Sword gave her incredible abilities, but using it brought her closer to death with every blow. This created a strong emotional impact as I played – knowing each fight was shortening Nariko’s life almost made me hesitant to attack.

The combat in Heavenly Sword felt very different from God of War. While Kratos was all about raw power and brute force, Nariko was graceful, quick, and incredibly effective. Her three fighting styles – Speed, Range, and Power – made battles feel like a carefully planned dance. Nariko wasn’t as wildly mobile as Kratos, which encouraged a more thoughtful, strategic approach. Each fight felt both beautifully choreographed and excitingly unpredictable, especially once I got comfortable switching between stances mid-battle. I much preferred the precise controls and fluid animations of Heavenly Sword‘s combat compared to the more frantic button-mashing in God of War.

Sony Let Its Most Underrated Heroine Fade

It’s sad that Heavenly Sword isn’t remembered more. While God of War grew into a huge franchise with many sequels and a successful reimagining, the character Nariko and her game have faded. The studio behind Heavenly Sword, Ninja Theory, went on to create other titles like Enslaved: Odyssey to the West and Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice. Though those games might share a similar style and storytelling approach, Heavenly Sword itself hasn’t had the same lasting impact.

It’s disappointing that Nariko never became a PlayStation legend. She was a compelling character – strong-willed, imperfect, and relatable, with a fantastic look. She offered a great contrast to Kratos’s constant anger, but Sony didn’t revisit her story. Although the first game did well, plans for a sequel – and even a whole series to match God of War – were unfortunately canceled. Despite being a popular hero, Nariko needed more support, and ultimately, there was nothing fans could do to save her franchise.

Anna Torv, who received a NAVGTR Award nomination for her work and later became known for her role in the TV show Fringe, brilliantly portrayed Nariko. She truly brought the character to life, especially alongside Andy Serkis, who played the game’s compelling villain. The story was genuinely moving, and Nariko was central to its powerful emotional scenes. With better support from Sony and Ninja Theory, Nariko had the potential to become as iconic a character as Kratos.

It’s Time to Give Nariko the Comeback She Deserves

A PlayStation 5 remake of Heavenly Sword could be incredible with today’s technology. Imagine Nariko brought to life with the same realistic motion capture used in Hellblade II. The combat could be refined with modern features, making her movements even more fluid and impactful. Plus, the game could delve deeper into the story of Nariko’s people and the sword’s origins, expanding on the intriguing world hinted at in the original game.

There’s a lot of discussion about whether Heavenly Sword or God of War is the better game, but I think Heavenly Sword does it better. Its story felt more personal, and I really connected with Nariko and what happened to her. While God of War had a grand scope, revenge stories can be a bit dull, even with a tragic character like Kratos. I still vividly remember the ending of Heavenly Sword – Nariko fighting to save the people who had rejected her, even if it meant sacrificing herself. It was a moving story about finding redemption through sacrifice, and it’s stuck with me far more than Kratos simply destroying everything and yelling. That’s why Heavenly Sword is so memorable and deserves a remake.

As a big gaming fan, I’ve noticed a ton of classic games getting remade lately – things like Dead Space, Final Fantasy Tactics, and Ninja Gaiden 2. It got me thinking, why not Heavenly Sword? I’d honestly love to see it happen! A full remake would be amazing, but even a reimagining in the style of the 2018 God of War would be fantastic. Heavenly Sword always felt really character-driven and emotional, and I think a reboot could really lean into that. Seriously, that game deserves another shot, whether it’s Sony or the original developers, Ninja Theory, who bring Nariko back to life.

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2025-10-22 16:13