Sword in the Stone but it’s a roguelite
When I booted up Sworn for the first time, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Arthurian legend is fertile ground, but it’s also been mined to exhaustion in games. What immediately struck me, though, was how confidently Sworn leans into its premise: Camelot has fallen, Arthur’s gone bad, the Round Table is twisted, and you’re one of the few warriors left to push back against the rot. It’s a bold setup for an action roguelite, and thankfully, there’s some solid gameplay to match the ambition.
The story takes place after Camelot’s collapse. A corrupted Arthur sits on the throne, and the Knights of the Round are now enemies rather than legends to admire. You play as a Soulforged warrior, choosing your allegiances with powerful Fae Lords and building your strength run by run. It’s not a heavy, cinematic narrative, but the worldbuilding works. The hub area acts as your base of operations, housing your upgrades, blessings, and choices. It’s a familiar structure for roguelites, especially if you’ve played Hades but the Arthurian aesthetic gives it a unique flavor.
MSRP: $24.99
Platforms: Xbox (reviewed), PlayStation, PC
Price I’d Pay: $19.99
Sworn doesn’t dwell on long cutscenes or heavy exposition. Instead, the story unfolds through short character interactions, relics, and environmental details. It’s enough to make the setting feel alive without slowing down the pace. The one area where the story could have been stronger is in its characters. They look cool, but they don’t have quite enough personality to stand out. Classes range from spellcasting wizards to a tanky, knight type; each of these players will unlock in time as they progress further with each run.
At its heart, Sworn is an action roguelite that blends fast-paced combat with build experimentation. Like I said above, there are multiple classes to choose from, each with different playstyles and weapon archetypes. The game encourages you to experiment with blessings; powerful enhancements tied to Fae allegiances that shape how your run unfolds. One run might see you leaning into explosive ranged attacks, while the next might have you landing poison attacks and summoning spectral spiders.
Combat feels deliberate. Dodging, timing, and cooldown management are crucial, and enemies hit hard if you get sloppy. The arenas are tight and dangerous, filled with traps, waves of enemies, and the occasional boss that will push your build to its limits. There’s weight behind each action, and when a run comes together with the right blessings and synergy, the combat sings.
Co-op adds another welcome layer. Playing with friends allows for complementary builds, strategic combinations, and a bit of chaos in the best way. Runs that can feel punishing solo often become thrilling and manageable in a group. It’s clear that Sworn was designed with teamwork in mind and this was the best way to play I found.
That being said, repetition sets in after several runs. Room layouts start to repeat, and enemy patterns become predictable. Some blessings and weapons feel a bit overtuned, making certain builds far more reliable than others. Balance isn’t a dealbreaker, but it’s noticeable.
Like most roguelites, Sworn thrives on progression. Even failed runs push you forward; upgrading stats, unlocking gear, and opening new blessings for future attempts. It’s a satisfying loop for the most part. The blessing system in particular is flexible, giving players a ton of ways to customize their approach. You can lean into raw damage, support abilities, mobility, or hybrid builds, and the game rewards experimentation.
Sworn doesn’t reinvent the genre’s structure, but it executes it well. If you’ve played titles like Hades or Dead Cells, the framework will feel familiar: hub, run, upgrades, repeat. Its distinctiveness comes from its setting and co-op elements rather than any groundbreaking system. It may not redefine the genre, but it does deliver a tight, satisfying loop.
Sworn’s biggest competition comes from the heavy hitters in its genre. Hades raised the bar for narrative-driven roguelites, and every new entry has to live in its shadow. Sworn doesn’t quite reach those storytelling heights, but its co-op play gives it an identity. Teaming up with others to topple corrupted knights feels different from most single-player roguelites, and that’s a big plus. Where Hades thrives on its storytelling and flow, Sworn focuses on atmosphere and flexible builds. It doesn’t match the genre leaders in polish, but it carves out a respectable niche.
Sworn won’t dethrone the giants of the roguelite space, but it’s a strong, enjoyable entry with a clear identity. If you love games built around progression, combat experimentation, and dark fantasy settings, this one is worth your time; especially if you have a few friends ready to dive into Camelot’s ruins with you.
Review copy of game provided by publisher.
