Severed in IOS

Cut through the nightmare

Walkthrough, Guilds, Tips on this special game

Our Expert Score

91/100

Severed is a visceral, psychedelic dungeon crawler that feels perfectly suited for a touch screen. Developed by DrinkBox Studios (of Guacamelee fame), it carries their signature art style—vibrant, high-contrast, and deeply weird. You play as Sasha, a one-armed warrior searching for her family in a nightmare world. The 'severing' mechanic is the heart of the game; during combat, you must use precise swipes to dismember enemies when they are vulnerable, which then allows you to wear their parts to gain new abilities.

The exploration is handled through a grid-based first-person perspective, filled with environmental puzzles that require you to manage light and shadow. Combat is a frantic dance of prioritization, as you'll often be surrounded by four or five enemies at once, requiring you to parry incoming attacks from one side while swiping for the kill on another. It is a dark, emotional, and mechanically unique RPG that doesn't hold your hand. If you want an adventure that feels both 'indie' and 'prestige,' Severed is an absolute standout.

Dinsun reviewed on: Fri Feb 27 2026

The Game

Available on: iPhone, iPad, iPod

Version 1.0.30Wed May 13 2020

- Compatibility updates.


** Winner of Apple Design Award 2017 **

** Apple iPad Game of the Year 2016 **

Take control of a one-armed warrior named Sasha, wielding a living sword on her journey through a nightmare world in search of her family.

----- ACCOLADES -----

• "Apple Design Award 2017", Apple

• "iPad Game of the Year 2016", Apple

• "Best Mobile Game of 2016", Destructoid

• "Best Mobile Game + Best Musical Score", Canadian Video Game Awards 2016

• "Battery Park Award for Best Handheld Game", 2017 New York Game Awards

• "Handheld Game of the Year -- Nominee", 20th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards

• "Mobile Game of the Year -- Nominee", 2017 SXSW Gaming Awards

• "Best Mobile Game -- Nominee", The Game Awards 2016

• "5 best mobile games of 2016", GameSpot

• "Best Mobile Game of 2016 -- Nominee", IGN

• "10 best video games of 2016", Mashable

"Severed is a super compelling game that looks great. Its mechanics go to surprising depths and the sword-swiping combat feels fantastic on iOS." 5/5 - 148Apps

"With great game mechanics, unique artwork and tough to master gameplay, Severed is well worthy of your time." 8/10 - Post Arcade

"Severed is just a game that's all-around cool. Its aesthetic is top-notch, its combat is deep and engaging." 5/5 - TouchArcade

----- KEY FEATURES -----

• Dungeon Combat: Master offensive and defensive touch combat techniques to survive intense battles against a menagerie of enemies.

• Severing: Best enemies in combat for a chance at severing their body parts -- then wear them to gain new powers or consume them to upgrade your equipment and abilities.

• Exploration: Follow branching routes through the unknown, using your wits to avoid hazards and solve puzzles.

• Award-Winning Soundtrack: Immerse yourself in the haunting original score from Juno- and Polaris-nominated band YAMANTAKA // SONIC TITAN, featuring Pantayo.

Also includes:

• Graphical optimizations for Metal-enabled devices

• Gameplay video recording with ReplayKit (requires Metal-enabled device running iOS 9+)

• Multiple difficulty modes

• Game Center Achievements

• Cloud Save

• iMessage Sticker Pack (requires iOS 10)

• 3D Touch support (3D Touch-enabled device required)


Requires iOS 8.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone 5S, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus, iPhone SE (1st generation), iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone SE (2nd generation), iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone SE (3rd generation), iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 16e, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPad Air, iPad Air Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad mini 2, iPad mini 2 Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Air 2, iPad Air 2 Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad mini 3, iPad mini 3 Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad mini 4, iPad mini 4 Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (12.9‑inch), iPad Pro (12.9‑inch) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (9.7‑inch), iPad Pro (9.7‑inch) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad (5th generation), iPad (5th generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (12.9‑inch) (2nd generation), iPad Pro (12.9‑inch) (2nd generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (10.5‑inch), iPad Pro (10.5‑inch) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad (6th generation), iPad (6th generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (11‑inch), iPad Pro (11‑inch) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (12.9‑inch) (3rd generation), iPad Pro (12.9‑inch) (3rd generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad mini (5th generation), iPad mini (5th generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Air (3rd generation), iPad Air (3rd generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad (7th generation), iPad (7th generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (11‑inch) (2nd generation), iPad Pro (11‑inch) (2nd generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (12.9‑inch) (4th generation), iPad Pro (12.9‑inch) (4th generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Air (4th generation), iPad Air (4th generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad (8th generation), iPad (8th generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (11-inch) (3rd generation), iPad Pro (11-inch) (3rd generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (12.9-inch) (5th generation), iPad Pro (12.9-inch) (5th generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad mini (6th generation), iPad mini (6th generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad (9th generation), iPad (9th generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Air (5th generation), iPad Air (5th generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad (10th generation), iPad (10th generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (11‑inch) (4th generation), iPad Pro (11‑inch) (4th generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (12.9‑inch) (6th generation), iPad Pro (12.9‑inch) (6th generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Air 11-inch (M2), iPad Air 11-inch (M2) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Air 13-inch (M2), iPad Air 13-inch (M2) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro 11-inch (M4), iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro 13-inch (M4), iPad Pro 13-inch (M4) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad mini (A17 Pro), iPad mini (A17 Pro) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad (A16), iPad (A16) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Air 11-inch (M3), iPad Air 11-inch (M3) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Air 13-inch (M3), iPad Air 13-inch (M3) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro 11-inch (M5), iPad Pro 11-inch (M5) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro 13-inch (M5), iPad Pro 13-inch (M5) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPod touch (6th generation), and iPod touch (7th generation).

** Winner of Apple Design Award 2017 **

** Apple iPad Game of the Year 2016 **

Take control of a one-armed warrior named Sasha, wielding a living sword on her journey through a nightmare world in search of her family.

----- ACCOLADES -----

• "Apple Design Award 2017", Apple

• "iPad Game of the Year 2016", Apple

• "Best Mobile Game of 2016", Destructoid

• "Best Mobile Game + Best Musical Score", Canadian Video Game Awards 2016

• "Battery Park Award for Best Handheld Game", 2017 New York Game Awards

• "Handheld Game of the Year -- Nominee", 20th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards

• "Mobile Game of the Year -- Nominee", 2017 SXSW Gaming Awards

• "Best Mobile Game -- Nominee", The Game Awards 2016

• "5 best mobile games of 2016", GameSpot

• "Best Mobile Game of 2016 -- Nominee", IGN

• "10 best video games of 2016", Mashable

"Severed is a super compelling game that looks great. Its mechanics go to surprising depths and the sword-swiping combat feels fantastic on iOS." 5/5 - 148Apps

"With great game mechanics, unique artwork and tough to master gameplay, Severed is well worthy of your time." 8/10 - Post Arcade

"Severed is just a game that's all-around cool. Its aesthetic is top-notch, its combat is deep and engaging." 5/5 - TouchArcade

----- KEY FEATURES -----

• Dungeon Combat: Master offensive and defensive touch combat techniques to survive intense battles against a menagerie of enemies.

• Severing: Best enemies in combat for a chance at severing their body parts -- then wear them to gain new powers or consume them to upgrade your equipment and abilities.

• Exploration: Follow branching routes through the unknown, using your wits to avoid hazards and solve puzzles.

• Award-Winning Soundtrack: Immerse yourself in the haunting original score from Juno- and Polaris-nominated band YAMANTAKA // SONIC TITAN, featuring Pantayo.

Also includes:

• Graphical optimizations for Metal-enabled devices

• Gameplay video recording with ReplayKit (requires Metal-enabled device running iOS 9+)

• Multiple difficulty modes

• Game Center Achievements

• Cloud Save

• iMessage Sticker Pack (requires iOS 10)

• 3D Touch support (3D Touch-enabled device required)


Ratings & Reviews

4.8 out of 5 with 1328 Counts
Age Rating 13+

Screenshots

Severed screenshot 1Severed screenshot 2Severed screenshot 3Severed screenshot 4Severed screenshot 5Severed screenshot 6Severed screenshot 7Severed screenshot 8Severed screenshot 9Severed screenshot 10Severed screenshot 11

Severed is a unique dungeon-crawling adventure where combat is determined by your speed and precision on the touch screen. Explore a vast, non-linear world filled with secrets and grotesque monsters. Use a deep RPG upgrade system to enhance Sasha's abilities by harvesting the parts of fallen foes. With a striking hand-drawn art style and a heavy, atmospheric narrative, Severed offers a challenging and unforgettable experience optimized for mobile devices.

Features

1

Innovative touch-based 'severing' combat

2

Stunning psychedelic hand-drawn visuals

3

Deep character progression and skill trees

4

Intricate environmental puzzles and secrets

5

Full atmospheric original soundtrack

Tips

Promotion Videos

Severed Official Trailer (2016. DrinkBox Studios) - YouTube

Related Videos

News on this game

Every Drinkbox Studios Game, Ranked

Which game from this talented indie developer comes out on top? Drinkbox Studios Guacamelee, Nobody Saves The World, Severed. Bold colours...

TheGamer - Mon Sep 08 2025

Toronto's Drinkbox Studios brings Severed to iOS [Game of the Week]

Toronto-based Drinkbox Studios-developed PlayStation Vita swan song Severed, has finally made its way to iOS.

MobileSyrup - Sun Jul 29 2018

Drinkbox Studios bringing Severed to PS Vita, shows us that there ...

Titled Severed, the upcoming game lets players hack away at enemies in first person, grab the cut-off body parts and use them against the beasts. It captures...

SideQuesting - Sat Aug 29 2020

Severed on Nintendo Switch Can Only Be Played in Handheld Mode

DrinkBox Studios' Severed, originally released on the PlayStation Vita, is debuting on the Nintendo Switch this week.

IGN - Mon Jul 29 2019

The best Wii U games to play in 2023

Severed. Developer: DrinkBox Studios; Released: 2016. Severed hit the Wii U in 2016, delivering a game that really utilised the consoles GamePad...

VG247 - Sun Jun 29 2025

REVIEW: 'Severed,' worth the money but a risk to one's ego

“Severed” is a weird one. Developed by DrinkBox Studios and released exclusively on Vita, it's definitely a game that isn't afraid to take risks...

The Daily Nebraskan - Sun Apr 29 2018

Severed Review (Wii U eShop)

Drinkbox Studios has another masterpiece to add to its portfolio. With a fantastic atmosphere, a unique combat system that never gets tedious...

Nintendo Life - Sat Sep 29 2018

‘Severed’ gets a lavish PS Vita physical release

DrinkBox Studios released the stylized first-person dungeon crawler Severed as a PS Vita exclusive back in April 2016, but the game moved on...

Engadget - Tue Jun 29 2021

Severed Review

As wonderful as it was, I wish developer Drinkbox Studios would have answered more questions about the world to make it feel less random and...

IGN - Thu Mar 29 2018

Nobody Saves the World Review – Dummies and Dragons

The Next Game From Drinkbox Studios: “Severed”. Severed is a gesture based action adventure game from the creators of Guacamelee and the...

MonsterVine - Fri Mar 29 2024

Gameplays

Q&A

It features dark themes and surreal, grotesque imagery, but it is classified as an action-RPG adventure rather than a traditional horror game.

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