No matter how many monsters stand between our hero and the captured princess, there is one thing we grow to rely on: our trusty sword. More then just a piece of flimsy steel, it is through this blade that our protagonist can carve his/her niche in to the annuls of history. In some cases, these weapons have just as deep a history and vast a popularity as the heroes themselves, and it is to these weapons I dedicate the following list.
10. The Masamune (Final Fantasy series, Chrono Trigger)
While most famously wielded by Sephiroth in Final Fantasy VII, the Masamune has appeared as an equipable weapon in most of the Final Fantasy games. Named after the real life swordsmith Goro Masamune of Japanese legend, the Masamune is depicted through out the series as a straight edged, single bladed katana, with Sephiroth's version sporting several extra feet in blade length. Its rival blade, the Muramasa, also appears through out the series. In the first Final Fantasy game, the Masamune has the unique distinction of being the only sword usable by Mages.
The Masamune also appears in Chrono Trigger as the most powerful two handed sword in the game, though it is only usable by Frog. Obtaining the blade requires defeating two separate spirits, Masa and Mune.
9. The Crissaegrim (CastleVania: Symphony of the Night)
Many may not recognize this sword by name, but few can forget the blade's effect on the gameplay of SotN. The Crissaegrim has earned its place on this list by single handedly turning the challenging action/platformer in to a complete cake walk. The moment that Alucard gets his hands on this blade (dropped randomly from a certain monster in the inverted Library) the game instantly shifts in to easy mode. Why? Because pressing the attack button a single time unleashes 4 slashes in rapid succession. Better still, the blade can be used while walking and jumping, allowing the wayward son of Dracula to literally mow down all the foes that get in his way without the need to stop for breath. Overpowered? Perhaps a bit, but damn impressive none the less.
8. The Ashbringer (Warcraft series)
The history of the Ashbringer is a bit long winded, so believe me when I say that the following paragraph is a herculean effort of summarization:
The Ashbringer was crafted by Alexandros Mograine in an effort to create the most powerful evil-vanquishing sword in existence. And it worked - the sword (and its wielder) gained the name of The Ashbringer because it quite literally turned its victims to ash as he waded through the battlefield. That is, until he was betrayed by his own son Renault Mograine. Renault slew his father with The Ashbringer, and the blade became corrupt and cursed.
Cliff notes version aside, the Ashbringer is set to play a vital role in the coming Wrath of the Lich King Expansion pack, particularly in the lore of the new Death Knight playable class.
7. The Heavenly Sword (Heavenly Sword)
Some of you may have already perused this list and exclaimed in your loudest overly dramatic voice "Fool! Where are the mighty Blades of Chaos, weapons of Kratos in the God of War series?" I assure you they were not forgotten; they simply seem rather bland when you compare them to The Heavenly Sword.
Blasphemy, you say? Well Kratos my be mighty impressive in his ability to whip around his swords-on-chains in all sorts of brutal ways, but the Heavenly sword can be used in precisely the same fashion - and then some! When not being swung around as tornado-like death pendulums, the blades can be used in hand for fast combo attacks, or instantly formed together in to one large two handed sword for slower but more powerful slashing maneuvers. It is this versatility that has pushed the Blades of Chaos completely off the list. If you haven't had a chance to try out Heavenly Sword, you owe it to yourself to do so - at least until God of War III comes along...
6. The Keyblade (Kingdom Hearts series)
The Keyblade is the only weapon on our list of swords that is not technically a sword. Instead, the Keyblade is just that - a weapon in the form of a giant key, and attaching different key chains will cause the sword to take on different key forms, each with their own statistics, advantages and disadvantages.
The allure of the Keyblade itself defies description. There is just something about the blade in its various forms that simply "clicks" with fans of the Kingdom Hearts series. Not to mention how completely slick it is, while using Sora's Ultimate Form in KH2, to dual wield Keyblades with your mind. That is just a level of bad ass I had never thought I would see in a game that also has Donald Duck in it.
5. Soul Edge/Soul Calibur (Soul Calibur series)
"Welcome to the stage of destiny! It is a tale of souls and swords, eternally retold..."
Whether or not you appreciate the hyper corny introduction dialogue as much as I do, you have to admit that Soul Calibur 4 turned out to be a pretty slick game. And if you played through the story mode with all the characters (and didnt skip the cut scenes) then you would know that pretty much the entire plotline, Star Wars characters included, revolves around two entities in the form of the rival swords Soul Calibur and Soul Edge.
Representing the eternal struggle between light and darkness, Soul Edge cunningly manipulates those around it in to becoming slaves to its will, while Soul Calibur fills its bearer with the will to press on and confront the evil sword. The conflict between those seeking to harm or help each of the blades is pretty much the main focus of all that button mashing you do in the various single and multi player modes.
4. The Soul Reaver (The Legacy of Kain series)
The Soul Reaver is a difficult sword to discuss without giving away too many secrets from the series, and it is for that reason I shall tread lightly and chose my wording carefully. If you have not played the series, I insist you do so - In fact, you can skip past the two Blood Omen titles and go straight to Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver, because its there that this RPG Platformer series really begins to shine, particularly in the narrative department.
When our ex-vampire anti-hero, Raziel, first encounters the blade Soul Reaver, it is in the hands of the man responsible for his current wraith-like state - his once lord Kain. Kain attempts to slay Raziel and the blade shatters. Raziel then takes claim of the spectral form of the blade, its very essence bonding with him, and sets about hunting down Kain to exact his revenge.
The bonded essence of the Soul Reaver acts as a blade that Raziel can summon at will, and in the later games, charge with elemental powers (wind, fire, all that kind of thing).
3. Frostmourne (Warcraft series)
The second of only two Warcraft swords to be chosen for this list (Sorry Thunderfury!), Frostmourne is the sword of Arthas Menethil, once crown prince of Lordaeron, devout paladin and heir to the kingdom, now powerful tyrant over the icy continent of Northrend and commander of the armies of the Scourge.
Ner'zhul, the Lich King, had called out to Arthas from his imprisonment inside the Frozen Throne. He beckoned Arthas to him, pulled on his pride and his lust for vengeance, and used Frostmourne as the conduit to finally break Arthas to his will. Now the two exist as one soul, the Lich King, and Frostmournes power grows with each passing day.
World of Warcraft players will finally get to face Arthas in the coming Wrath of the Lich King Expansion pack. Until then, Frostmourne hungers...
2. The Buster Sword (Final Fantasy VII)
Few swords are as iconic as the massive slab of steel that is Cloud Strife's Buster Sword. The first comment that most people tend to have upon seeing it is usually "How does he carry that thing, let alone wield it in one hand?" Unfortunately, Final Fantasy VII nether bothers to offer any real explanation to this defiance of physics, though some chose to explain it away as part of the Mako Enhancements that are performed on members of SOLDIER. Any way you chose to rationalize it, that sword is one impressive hunk of steel.
In the pseudo sequel movie Advent Children, the Buster Sword gains a new incarnation - a bit lighter, and able to split in to a set of smaller swords, which turns out to be quite handy for the furious, over the top combat scenes depicted in the film.
1. The Master Sword (The Legend of Zelda series)
"Master using it and you can have this"
When it comes to iconic, easily recognized swords, not a single blade out there in any game can hold a candle (and press B) to the Master Sword from Zelda series. Practically anyone that considers themselves a gamer can recognize that shimmering, angular blade, that blue pommel emblazoned with the insignia of a golden Tri-Force.
Appearing from as early on as the very first NES title (that is credited with defining the Action RPG genre), the Master Sword was the end all/be all of swords. The wooden sword was just a stick, the white sword paled in comparison; The Master Sword was where it was at, and you were able to acquire it as soon as you had gathered up a total of 12 heart containers (including the three you started with).
As technology advanced, so did the graphical and story telling abilities of the Zelda games, and in each successive game the swords ceremonial resting place became more elaborate. First the Master Sword would receive its own pedestal, then its own shrine, and finally its own temple to house the shrine. The Master Sword even had its own offshoot, the Four Sword, which allowed Link to split in to four separate individually colored entities for hours of cooperative (and not so cooperative) adventuring in The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventure.
Perhaps more then any other sword in gaming, The Master Sword has stayed true to itself through the various generations. It will undoubtedly be a familiar sight waiting to greet us in Zelda titles to come.
