Half Sword for PC: Gameplay, Tips & Full Guide (2026)

Half Sword is a physics-based medieval combat game for PC from Half Sword Games, available now on Steam. You wield weapons with direct mouse control, fight your way through brutal tournaments, and earn gear to progress from a commoner to a knight. Every swing is driven by real physics, not scripted animations.

The catch: if you die in a fight, your run ends permanently. No saves. No second chance in that run. You lose the equipment you carried and start again from nothing. That permanent stakes element makes every tournament fight feel different from a standard action game.

The combat system was developed with input from Historical European Martial Arts practitioners. The game is named after half-swording, a real 15th-century technique where you grip the blade with one hand for better control in close-range armored combat. It was released on January 30, 2026, in Early Access, and runs on Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Already competing in the tournaments? Share your longest winning streak in the comments. Got questions before buying? Reach out to us directly.

Half Sword is available on Steam for Windows PC. A free tech demo is also on Steam if you want to try before buying.

1. Go to the Half Sword Steam page.
2. Click Add to Cart and complete your purchase.
3. Open your Steam library and click Install.
4. Install on an SSD if possible. The game is physics-heavy and benefits from faster load times.

Half Sword is a physics-based medieval combat simulator set in 15th-century Europe. You start as a commoner with basic equipment and progress by fighting in tournaments. Win fights, earn renown, purchase or forge better weapons and armor, and climb toward knighthood.

The combat is the entire game. You control your weapon directly with the mouse. There are no fixed attack buttons or set attack sequences. The physics engine drives every interaction, so two identical situations can play out very differently depending on your inputs, your opponent’s movement, and positioning.

The game is named after half-swording: a real 15th-century technique where a fighter grips the blade of their own sword with one hand to gain better leverage and precision for close-range fighting against armored opponents. The mechanics were built with input from Historical European Martial Arts practitioners to reflect how that kind of fighting actually worked.

🤔 Is This Game for You?

🎮 Our Take

Half Sword has a clear and specific audience: players who want physics-driven medieval combat that takes the history seriously. If that is you, the game delivers something no other title does right now. The HEMA-based mechanics give it a depth that goes beyond typical action games, and the permadeath structure makes every tournament feel like it matters.

It is still in Early Access, so expect rough edges. If you are unsure, the free tech demo on Steam is the best way to find out whether this is for you before spending anything.

🖥️ Why Play on PC?

• Mouse Control is Essential: The direct weapon control system is built around mouse movement. A controller cannot replicate the precision and range of motion the mouse provides for physics-based weapon swings.
• PC Exclusive: Half Sword is only available on Windows. There are no console versions planned for Early Access.
• Active Modding Community: The physics sandbox nature of the game has attracted modders who add weapons, scenarios, and custom tournaments.
• Free Tech Demo: The demo is available on Steam for free. You can test the combat system on your machine before buying.

Component	Minimum	Recommended
OS	Windows 10 (64-bit)	Windows 10 / 11 (64-bit)
CPU	Intel i7-6700HQ / Ryzen 5 3500U	Intel i7-12700 / Ryzen 7 7700X
RAM	8 GB	16 GB
GPU	GTX 1060 6GB / RX 580	RTX 4070 / RX 7800 XT
Storage	15 GB (SSD recommended)	15 GB SSD

Physics performance note: The game simulates real-time physics for every weapon swing and body interaction. A stronger GPU and CPU will give you noticeably smoother performance, especially in fights with multiple opponents or heavy gore effects.

Is Half Sword finished?

No. Half Sword is currently in Early Access on Steam. The developer estimates 6 to 12 months before the full release. New maps, improved mechanics, forge features, and heraldry customization are still being added. A free tech demo is also available on Steam to try before buying.

Is Half Sword multiplayer or single-player?

Half Sword is single-player only. There is no multiplayer or co-op mode currently available.

How does the combat system work?

You control your weapon directly with the mouse. Every swing, thrust, and guard is physics-driven. The system is based on Historical European Martial Arts techniques, including half-swording: gripping the blade with one hand to improve control and leverage in close-range armored combat.

Does Half Sword have permadeath?

Yes. Death is permanent. When you die in a tournament fight, your run ends and you lose the gear you had equipped. You start a new run from the beginning. This makes each fight consequential and changes how you approach combat.

Is Half Sword historically accurate?

The combat mechanics were developed with input from Historical European Martial Arts practitioners. Weapons, armor, and fighting techniques are based on documented 15th-century European martial traditions. It is not a documentary, but the foundation is more historically grounded than most medieval games.

🔗 Helpful Community Links

For guides, patch notes, and discussions about Half Sword:

• r/HalfSword on Reddit (tips, run sharing, combat discussions)
• Steam Community Hub (patch notes, guides, and player reviews)

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