Many video game fans have asked why gameplay in action games isn't more realistic, challenging, or complex. Sword fighting specifically doesn't have to be hack and slash, as the Bushido Blade franchise proved 20 years ago. That's the idea that Hellish Quart appears to be exploring. From developer Kubold, Hellish Quart is a sword dueling fighting game that's going to launch in Early Access tomorrow. It may be the realistic sword-fighting game fans have been looking for.

In Hellish Quarter, players will fight each other using sabers, rapiers, broadswords, and many other weapons in a variety of fighting styles. These weapons will clash and deflect in realistic, physics-based motions. And all it takes to win or lose is a momentary lapse in defense leading to a slash to an opponent's wrist, body, face, or neck. Attacks can be placed from four different angles, with blocking handled automatically when not attacking. Players must use timing, positioning, as well as unique combinations and special attacks, to win.

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What's surprising about Hellish Quart isn't just that it's being developed by one person, but that it has a substantial scope despite being made by just one person. At full launch, it will offer 12 fighting styles, 12 arenas, a full cinematic story mode with cutscenes, training, online multiplayer, and more. Early Access includes a fraction of that, supporting only Steam Remote Play Together online multiplayer, but will hopefully show players' the potential of the full experience.

Interested fighting game fans can try Hellish Quart out starting tomorrow, February 16, in Early Access. Kubold does acknowledge that development of the full game could take another one to two years, but they're content with the state of the game as it stands meeting expectations for an Early Access release on Steam. Feedback will have a clear influence on the direction of game balance going forward.

Hellish Quart releases February 16 in Early Access on PC.

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