## Description
_FIE Swordplay_ is a fencing game published by the sport’s governing body,
the International Fencing Federation (FIE – F ederation Internationale
d’Escrime). The game is played from a side view perspective and five buttons
are used to control the fencer. Two are used for moving forward and backwards,
two are for offensive techniques such as thrusting and lunging and one is for
parrying. While playing the fencer’s concentration increases and when it is
full the character will automatically either dodge an attack that is not
blocked or penetrate the opponent’s block. When starting out only the basic
techniques of thrusting, lunging and parrying are available, but by playing
the game more repertoires can be unlocked.
There are two game modes: campaign and tournament. The campaign takes place in
a number of cities and in each there are various matches that the player can
choose to enter. Once a number of matches have been won the player gets access
to a city championship which if won allows the player to move on to the next
city. The matches use real fencing rules and there are several different kinds
including standard duels that require five touches, quick duels where the top
score has to be reached in 20 seconds and right to attack where the fencers
take turns attacking and defending. Tournament is a player vs player mode
played against others online. By winning duels the player earns rating points
and by reaching certain amounts of points rewards are given. The tournament is
a 48 hours event and when it’s over the rating is reset. Rating points are
also earned by completing contracts, which are special quests where the player
has to complete a certain objective three times.
The game is free-to-play and uses two currencies: credits and gold, both which
are earned throughout the game but can also be bought with real money. Credits
can be used to buy new equipment: masks, jackets, pants, weapons and flags,
but items first has to be unlocked by reaching the right level. New items
improve the abilities of the fencer in terms of reaction time and
concentration. There is also an energy system used for matches. Each match
played costs one unit of energy which is regained with time or by spending
gold. PvP and campaign matches have separate energy bars with a maximum of six
units in each.
FIE Swordplay