There BETTER be a sequel.
This game is just one of those games that I just want to love, but it's like.... well I don't know how to describe it.....
Well first off, this is one of the few games I've seen where animation cancellation actually has a significant advantage in this game. Just by using the frame of where he picks up his sword to do the quick slash, I can easily lay an attack on an monster, and guard almost immediately without having to finish the quick slash. This proved advantageous for many points in the game. (I loathe thee skeleton soldiers. >_< ) Also, if the whole animation of the attack was inside the hit boxes for the enemy, one slash could easily attack the opponent twice instead of once.
One drawback to this whole hit box thing is that the enemies can do the same to you. For instance, I found myself getting maimed/stabbed/beaten when the enemy was behind me, and they were attacking away from my position. Also, if I were to extend my arm from an attack, and if the arm were to get hit (Hell, if even the SWORD were being attacked by a trap of some sort) by something, I'd take damage. Now, I guess that isn't too bad seeing as how if in real life your arm were to be attacked as you were attacking, you would get hurt, but even the SWORD's hit box area got me even hurt when the enemies attacked my sword.
Unlike most of the reviewers I've seen thus far, I decided that I'd keep myself entertained by switched up the attacks just for fun. No need for the Heavy hit and Special attack to just sit there from nothingness, so I decided to implement them in my fighting abilities during the battles.
Overall, I liked this game, the storyline may be a bit iffy, but I still love those kinds of story plots. They kept me interested to read in between the battles. It was like reading a book of a heroic guard, damsel in distress (well in this case, the damsel is known), and yadiyadiyada. You described in great detail about how the guard reacted to every specific scene, and how he killed his foes, and how things were explained.
So yeah, I'm really hoping for a sequel, and I'm quite sure with an ending such as that, you'll most likely make one. I think you're on the right track for now for making games, it's just that you gotta tone down the hit area's of both monsters and players alike, unless if you want your players to take advantage of animation cancellation. xD
- Nondo