Half Sword promised more than the demo, but does it deliver?

Half Sword has been on a lot of players’ radars for a long time, mostly thanks to its demo. That early build was shared, streamed, and clipped endlessly, and for good reason. It felt rough but exciting, the kind of thing you mess around with for hours just to see what happens. Because of that, expectations for Early Access — and eventually a full release — were pretty high. People wanted more content, more depth, and a smoother version of what already worked.

Now that Early Access is finally out, the mood is… complicated. A common complaint from players is that the full game somehow runs worse than the old demo. Performance issues, stutters, and odd behavior pop up more often than people expected, especially considering how playable the demo already was. For some, this feels backwards, like the game took a step sideways instead of forward. That has caused some frustration, especially among players who were ready to fully commit.

That said, most criticism doesn’t come from hate. A lot of players agree that Half Sword clearly has potential, but some mechanics just don’t feel good yet. The biggest pain point is progression. Dying often means losing everything you earned, which can feel more punishing than motivating. When fights are already hard and unpredictable, wiping your progress can make the effort feel pointless rather than challenging.

Why the physics-based combat is still the best part

Where Half Sword really shines, though, is the combat itself. This is a physics-based medieval brawler where weapons have weight, movement matters, and fights rarely go the way you planned. Swinging a sword isn’t about pressing a button at the right time — it’s about control, timing, and positioning. When it clicks, it feels raw and intense in a way few games even try to pull off.

Even with all its issues, people still have fun. The ragdoll chaos alone makes every fight unpredictable, sometimes hilarious, sometimes brutal. One bad move can end everything, but a smart strike can turn the tables instantly. Add skill-based dueling into the mix, and you get moments that feel earned, even when the game fights back.

If you’re curious to try it yourself, make sure to use our price comparison tool to find the best prices for Half Sword and see if its messy, brutal style is your kind of fun.