Giant Squid, the studio behind emotionally resonant titles like Abzû and The Pathless, is returning with another artful journey—Sword of the Sea. Launching on August 19, 2025, exclusively for PlayStation 5, the game will also be included in the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog at release, giving subscribers immediate access.
Set in a surreal desert landscape, players take on the role of the Wraith, a figure gliding across vast sands on a hoversword—a fusion of skateboard and surfboard. The traversal mechanics draw direct influence from classic extreme sports games, yet the tone remains meditative and poetic. The Wraith carves through abandoned necropolises and massive skatepark-like ruins, building momentum to access hidden secrets and bring life back to a world once lost.
The gameplay isn’t just about speed; it’s about connection. As players revive the barren world, oceans rise, marine life returns, and entire ecosystems transform based on their actions. Riding the hoversword alongside dolphins or soaring through jellyfish-lifted air tunnels adds spectacle to the serene, resulting in a blend of visual grace and engaging exploration.
This duality—momentum and stillness—is where Sword of the Sea excels. Rather than relying on combat or traditional platforming, it crafts emotion through movement and world interaction. Giant Squid continues to prove that exploration can be both thrilling and introspective. The game isn’t just another indie adventure—it’s a moving meditation dressed in the robes of extreme sports, built with the precision of a studio that understands the power of silent storytelling.
For players eager for something different, this title promises a journey both kinetic and calming when it debuts this summer.
