I'm primarily a PC gamer that just bought a PS3 about 2 months ago. Playing through a bunch of console exclusives and enjoying the system a lot.

Playing Journey (which was awesome) has given me a hankering for a more traditional game that is visually stylish. Heavenly Sword and Enslaved would both seem to fit the bill and neither came to PC. I may eventually get both, but my gaming time is limited right now and it could be a while before I get around to the other (even accounting for the fact that Heavenly Sword is short).

Between these two games, which do you think is the better or more unique title? It doesn't necessarily need to be limited to gameplay; I appreciate artistry in games and will still enjoy games that perhaps don't play the best, but have interesting imagery or concepts. Though that's not to say gameplay doesn't matter at all.

I prefer Enslaved although I own both.

Of those two Enslaved. But there are better games out there then both of those.

Enslaved was probably a better game overall. But Heavenly Sword had plenty of memorable story stuff worth experiencing.

Enslaved, easily.

Enslaved wins my vote. Great characters and interesting story.

Another for Enslaved. I suggest going back to Heavenly Sword later though.

Heavenly Sword.

While not a bad game, Enslaved is a poor man's God of War/Uncharted.

I think I'd also suggest Enslaved over Heavenly Sword, though I think you should definitely go back for HS later. The story and acting in both is top notch.

@EVO said:

Heavenly Sword.

While not a bad game, Enslaved is a poor man's God of War/Uncharted.

This is exactly how I feel about Heavenly Sword. It felt like a God of War but with more of a focus on defensive play.

I own and have played both, and had a much better time with Enslaved.

@JasonR86 said:

Of those two Enslaved. But there are better games out there then both of those.

I already picked up most of the big titles for the system that gel with my gaming tastes. Uncharteds, Ratchet & Clanks are in the library and I'm (slowly) working my way through them. Also picked up a few weird console exclusives like Asura's Wrath (which I think is great - I consider myself very much a "casual" gamer despite playing a lot of games). Any sort of hallmark multi-platform title I would have already played on PC.

Right now I'm specifically looking for a title that has a stylized fantasy aesthetic. If you can think of another game that never game to PC and fits the bill, I would certainly welcome recommendations.

Looks like it's Enslaved unanimously at this point, thanks for the recommendation duders.

By that criteria you should definitely pick up Valkyria Chronicles. It has an incredible style and is vastly different from any other game on the system that I know of.

Enslaved, the combat is simpler, but I enjoyed it more (it is an absolute must to play on Hard, though - and this is coming from someone who basically exclusively plays on either Normal or Easy). I also enjoyed the gameplay outside of the combat more in Enslaved.

I think I like Heavenly Sword more but Enslaved is probably an objectively better game. Still if your gaming time is so limited Heavenly Sword is a perfect weekend game.

I haven't played Heavenly Sword, but I really enjoyed Enslaved. And the Pigsy DLC for it is fantastic as well!

I don't own any of them, but i'd go with Enslaved because the it seems like a competent game from the demo.

Haven't played Heavily Sword I heard that game is super short. But I have played Enslaved its a decent game that lacks gameplay variety. But overall its still a pretty fun game to play. But be prepared to see a ending that's out of this world.

Enslaved: Odyssey to the West, for sure.

Heavenly Sword is good, Enslaved is great. So go for Enslaved. Hell, Go for both, they should be really cheap these days.

If you just got a console play Red Dead Redemption.

Heavenly Sword is terrible so I'd go with enslaved.

Did Heavenly Sword ever get patched with Trophy support?

Haven't played Heavenly Sword, but really enjoyed Enslaved.

@RazielCuts said:

Did Heavenly Sword ever get patched with Trophy support?

No.

I played both recently and I liked them both. If you really have to choose I'd go with Enslaved.

A little late to be asking this, but people recommended Enslaved - you played the PS3 version? It's ok? Seeing a couple reports indicating framerate issues and significant tearing in the PS3 version. Tearing kind of drives me nuts.

@Sweetz: enslaved

@Bourbon_Warrior said:

If you just got a console play Red Dead Redemption.

This.

Enslaved is way better.

Both, play Heavenly Sword first. Good to see where performance capture in games started.

Heavenly Sword, its short but now its dead cheap.

I Preferred Heavenly sword quite abit more then enslaved.

@Hizang said:

Heavenly Sword, its short but now its dead cheap.

Pre-owned I guess, but I don't buy pre-owned. New copies are Amazon are hovering just under $30. I thought for sure it would have been a Greatest Hits title, but I guess it didn't qualify. That said, price isn't much an issue, but it is very nice to go into a console generation late and pick up all the best games for cheap.

I played both and I can vouch without a doubt that Enslaved is the better game.

It's vision of the post-apocolypse is completely different than all modern games, and all of the environments it puts you through are beautiful. The setting of the story reminded me of Final Fantasy X, with it's use of nature combined with architecture, and the complex-yet-rudimentary-looking machines that you see throughout the adventure.

It's really just a game that I recommend to anyone, it's one of the most slept-on releases this generation.

Enslaved for sure.

I played and enjoyed both when they came out. I would suspect Heavenly Sword doesn't age as well as Enslaved. I'm sure you can get each for a song, but if you are only picking one, I might suggest Enslaved.

Enslaved is great. One of those few games where I was sad when it was over because I loved the characters so much. Sad to see them go.

I sat here trying to decide which game to tell you to get, but all I could think of is other games that you should be getting instead of either of these.
 
@deepershades said:

The irony is that Enslaved arguably had a very intelligent ending which was lost on some of the masses.

They're both good. Enslaved is probably the more polished of the two, but you won't be boned either way.

@Bourbon_Warrior: I agree with this. Play RDR. 360 version rules though.

@deepershades said:

Both games are arguably very character driven, although Enslaved felt like a consequence of less than expected sales for Heavenly Sword, in that the move set was narrower with a pitch to a more simplified audience. The irony is that Enslaved arguably had a very intelligent ending which was lost on some of the masses. Whilst Heavenly Sword is much more inconsistent the highs topple anything that Enslaved ever did. Maybe you should consider which game has the more sought after sequel, and why........

I liked Heavenly Sword much more than Enslaved. The gameplay got over-simplified from HS to Enslaved, and the story at least to me was less memorable in Enslaved.

Enslaved. Very good game.

I haven't had the chance to play Heavenly Sword but Enslaved was worth a play through. I would also recommend maybe pick up Majin and the Forsaken Kingdom because it looks like the type of game you are looking for, but i haven't played it so i cant totally recommend it. And games with an engrossing world or interesting art style that i would recommend are Ico, Shadow of the Colossus, Red Dead Redemption, 3D Dot game heroes and Mirrors Edge. I would also recommend Demons souls, Dark Souls, Bioshock and the Dead Space games also if you haven't played them yet, but for a much darker enveloping world.

It may be worth browsing PSN and checking out something like Unfinished Swan or Papo & Yo.

Heavenly Sword. Both games are comparable in quality, but Enslaved has got to have the shittiest ending this generation.

Enslaved. Heavenly sword was a fun game back when I played it, but I think you'll get more of your money's worth with Enslaved.

Enslaved was very good & so was the DLC Pigsy's Perfect 10, can't speak for Heavenly Sword

I hated the sister portions of Heavenly Sword where you had to guide her arrows with the Sixaxis. Enslaved has excellent writing (Alex Garland), the cloud, and Pigsy! One of the few games where I loved reaching a cutscene to see the characters interact.

enslaved