Half Sword

 
Half Sword is a physics-based medieval combat simulator that finally launched into Early Access on January 30, 2026. Developed by the appropriately named Half Sword Games and published by Game Seer, it has gained a cult following for its uncompromisingly brutal—and often hilarious—depiction of 15th-century violence. It sits in that strange intersection between a serious HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts) simulator and a “QWOP-like” physics comedy, where landing a perfect strike feels like a triumph of will over gravity.
The Physics of Death: Core Gameplay

Mouse-Based Control: Unlike traditional fighting games where you press ‘X’ to swing, Half Sword gives you direct control over your weapon via the mouse. You trace the arc of your swing, thrust, or parry. This offers immense freedom but requires practice; a frantic flick of the wrist might result in a weak slap with the flat of your blade, while a measured, deliberate motion can drive a point through a visor.
Historically Accurate Gore: The game doesn’t shy away from the reality of sharp metal hitting soft flesh. It features a procedural gore system where wounds correspond exactly to where the weapon hit. You can sever limbs, crush skulls, and expose entrails. The developers even employ a “Chief Blood Officer” to ensure the carnage is artistically grotesque.
Armor Matters: Combat is a puzzle of protection. Slashing at a plate harness is useless; you must aim for the gaps (armpits, groin, visor) or switch to a blunt weapon like a mace to concuss your opponent through their helmet. This forces you to adapt your strategy based on your enemy’s loadout.
Roguelite Tournaments: The core loop involves fighting through tournaments to earn money and renown. You start as a peasant with a rusty knife and work your way up to a knight in full harness. However, death is permanent. One bad slip, one lucky dagger to the eye, and your character is gone, forcing you to restart your climb.

How It Stacks Up
Half Sword is often compared to other physics-based fighters, but it has its own distinct flavor.



Game
Key Difference




Exanima
Exanima is an isometric dungeon crawler with slower, “drunken” physics and a focus on footwork. Half Sword is first/third-person and focuses much more on the *weapon handling* itself, offering finer control over blade alignment and grappling.


Kingdom Come: Deliverance
KCD uses a directional “star” system for combat that is fundamentally animation-based. Half Sword is purely physics-based; if your sword gets stuck in a doorway or bounces off a shield, it’s because of the physical collision, not a canned animation.


Hellish Quart
Hellish Quart is a 1v1 fighting game that simulates realistic fencing techniques. Half Sword is less about perfect fencing form and more about the messy, desperate scramble of a brawl where you might end up wrestling your opponent into the mud.



Key Details

Developer: Half Sword Games.
Publisher: Game Seer Publishing.
Platforms: PC (Steam, Epic Games Store).
Release Date: January 30, 2026 (Early Access).
Genre: Physics Simulation / Medieval Combat / Roguelite.
Vibe: Monty Python meets Game of Thrones.

Who It’s For

Must-play for HEMA enthusiasts. If you know what “half-swording” or a “mordhau grip” is, you will appreciate that these techniques are not just unlockable skills but emergent mechanics you can physically execute.
Perfect for physics sandbox lovers. The emergent comedy of tripping over a corpse and accidentally stabbing yourself, while frustrating, is part of the game’s unique charm.
Skip if you want responsive, arcade combat. The controls are intentionally floaty and difficult. If you want to feel like a superhero instantly, this game will make you feel like a toddler holding a kitchen knife.

Why It Works
It works because it bridges the gap between sim and slapstick. The tension of a duel is incredibly high because a single hit can kill you, but the physics engine ensures that even serious fights have moments of unpredictable chaos. It captures the desperate, unchoreographed nature of real medieval combat better than almost anything else on the market, proving that sometimes, simply staying on your feet is the hardest part of the battle.