Sword of the Guardian is an old-school infused single-player and multiplayer beat ‘em up with a fantasy twist. Check our Sword of the Guardian review!

 

Sword of the Guardian from Billy Chan Studio is a fantasy-themed beat ‘em up on Nintendo Switch that pays homage to the classics in the genre from the 1980s and 1990s, titles such as Golden Axe, Final Fight, Streets of Rage, and the Dungeons and Dragons arcade beat ‘em up releases. Your choices of characters include a Monk, a Swordsman, and a Dwarf. Based on your selection, gameplay will differ a bit since each character has its strengths and weaknesses.

 

You’ll move your character around with the left analog stick or the D-Pad, running by double-tapping left or right. Your main attack is mapped to the Y button, and you can do a basic combo by pressing the button four times in a row. The B button is for jumping, and if you combine it with the Y button, you can make a jump attack. There’s a second jump attack you can do by jumping and then pressing down on the left analog stick or the D-Pad along with the Y button, and this second attack will allow you to juggle and combo your opponents.

 

The Monk and Swordsman can dash by pressing the R button, while the Dwarf will be able to use its shield to block attacks and then counter by pressing the Y button. As you defeat enemies, some will leave behind items such as daggers, axes, or even healing potions, so be sure to pick them up with the Y button! The X button is for using any weapons you’ve picked up, and you can press the L button to select which one you want to use. Each character will also have a pair of input-based attacks, which are activated by pressing down and forward plus the Y button, down and up plus the Y button, or up plus the Y button. There’s also an ultra-attack mapped to the A button, which will use up some of your SP bar when activated.

 

Sword of the Guardian is an entertaining single-player and multiplayer beat ‘em up that is good for an afternoon of button mashing and command-inputting fun. You’ll be going up against swordsmen, archers, lance-wielding knights, assassins, ghosts, and more as you explore forests, riverbanks, mountains, villages, and other locations. Sword of the Guardian is out on Nintendo Switch for a $14.99.

Disclaimer
This Sword of the Guardian review is based on a Nintendo Switch copy provided by Billy Chan Studio.