Live by the sword...die by the sword, but before you do - save the girl.

User Rating: 7.2 | Die by the Sword PC
I haven't played this game in a long time, but I remember the game being really hard in story mode and slightly addictive in tournament melee mode. The combat sysytem involved using the number key pad to use different directions to swing the sword. For example, To swing the sword diagonally you would need to press 9 or 7 to raise your sword and either 1 or 3 to move it diagonally in that direction (right to left or left to right). In that way, the combat system was very innovative. During combat, you are allowed to cut off your opponents arms, legs, head and then proceed to sheathe your weapon and beat your opponent with his own body part. The best way to neutralize an enemy in this game is to either decapitate him or cut off his weapon arm.
The story mode provides a very basic story line - you and your girl are resting underneath the stars. You are both amazing fighters, but when you are surprised by a raiding part of Kobolts...she is captured and you must rush to save her. She is going to be used in a ritual of some sort and you must prevent this.
I never could get past mission three because you get to a point in the game to were you cannot advance any more. Maybe I took at wrong turn, but from what I remember the game auto saved there so it must be the right spot. I just could seem to find my way out of the swamp monsters lair....
The addictive melee tournament combat allows for you to battle against 3 other opponents in either a 3 on 1 or a free for all. This really can become addicting, but it can also get really old. It depends if you in the mood to hack and slash for a while.
The game also allows you to customize your own moves in the game and remap them to special moves. This really is a great feature, but unfortunately the window open for the custom moves is like a 3 second timer. You really need to be quick with those sword controls to be able to make the custom move you want. But once you get the hang of it, you are sure to get addictional fun from this game.
I'd recommend this game if you are a dungeons and dragons fan. Its probably really cheap now (if its even still on the market) so you might want to keep an eye out for it.