One wonders why Sony Santa Monica has poured so much into The Unfinished Swan. Like thatgamecompany before it, developer Giant Sparrow has received a three-game contract with Sony, as it gets nurtured by the same publishing agreement that led to creative hits like Flower and Journey. But given its simplistic paint-throwing mechanic, one had to wonder: what makes The Unfinished Swan so special?

The answer to that question is what makes this a particularly difficult review to write. The developer has gone to extensive lengths to hide what happens after the end of the first chapter. Why? Because much of the joy of playing the game comes from experimenting with the game's many surprises.

Read more: Stumbling through an unknown world»

After many long years of waiting, Giant Sparrow's gorgeous splat 'em up The Unfinished Swan finally has a release date: October 23 on PlayStation Network for PS3. However, PlayStation Plus members will get to toss paint around the pristine white world a little sooner, on October 16.

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