The Unfinished Swan Review

I have to hand it to Sony for recognizing the potential of many independent developers and providing them with the tools to do what they want, how they want to do it. Giant Sparrow is a relatively unknown development studio, much like another beloved studio, thatgamecompany. Thatgamecompany went on to create Flow, Flower, and, most recently, Journey, which, like The Unfinished Swan, was a highly artistic and visually stunning experience. Giant Sparrow looks to fall into that same light with their first game under contract with Sony in The Unfinished Swan. Let me say that this was a completely different kind of experience than I’m used to with modern gaming, and I loved the change of pace.

Story

A woman begins The Unfinished Swan by telling us the story of Monroe, a young orphan boy who is left with an abundance of paintings from his mother (who oddly enough never finished a single one). The orphanage only allows him to keep one, and he chooses his mother’s favorite, The Unfinished Swan. One night, he wakes up to find that the swan has vanished from the painting, and he jumps into the canvas to start the game.

Gameplay

I know what you’re thinking now, “All you do is drop blobs of paint all over the world to give it definition”. Wrong. The first fifteen minutes do involve that, but that’s just getting your feet wet in this game. It’s an incredible feeling to be painting the world around you, though, and one that won’t leave you soon after. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever done in a video game. Each blob throw creates something new and even plops in water when you find it to give you a better sense of the surface you’re embarking on. While this is a nice part of the game, it’s just one part of a serene and calming adventure.

This game isn’t all about black paint, and maybe that’s where the trailers and previews have done this title a disservice. I, too, had thought the same thing previously. As I played through this title, I realized how diverse it was and how you have to see every chapter to understand what it’s all about because each one brings something new and ties the story together. You can create platforms, move an orb for protection, and perform various other actions to complete the overall experience. You have to play it to understand what I’m talking about and to see how the entire story forms throughout the gameplay.

Easy-Playing

For those looking for a challenge, this isn’t it. This is a story, and it serves as a means to have a calming effect. It is something that anyone can enjoy, though, and I want to stress that. All these macho people who think playing a game about a little boy and a swan isn’t manly or something need to understand that this is a game for everyone, and every person can enjoy the story that is told.

The story is accompanied by brief narration from the narrator, who recounts the tale as you progress through it. In addition to that, there are always golden footprints in the game world to guide you where you need to go, while golden letters will also pop up on walls. You never get lost, and you will never feel an ounce of annoyance while playing.

Move/Replay Value

I did try using the PlayStation Move with this, but it didn’t feel very natural in this game. I think it’s better suited for the DualShock. The game clocks in at 2-3 hours, depending on how quickly you play. If you feel like exploring everything the game has to offer, it could be substantially more. There are hidden balloons that can be redeemed for several “toys” that you can replay the game and use. For $14.99, the price may be a little much for a 2-hour game, but it felt like a very good price for the different types of gameplay you’re receiving.

Final Thoughts

The Unfinished Swan is an excellent debut game from Giant Sparrow for Sony. I, for one, can’t wait for the next ones to come from this studio. Don’t be fooled by the trailers, there’s a lot more to this game than paint. This isn’t a hardcore game. It’s a game to get lost in for a short time and to appreciate for what it is: an artistic story.