Key Highlights
- Forspoken is an action RPG from Luminous Productions and Square Enix, featuring a New Yorker named Frey Holland transported to the fantasy world of Athia.
- The game’s standout feature is its fluid traversal system, combining magic-infused parkour with high-speed exploration across the vast landscapes of Athia.
- Engage in fast-paced magical combat with a customizable arsenal of over 100 spells, offering a variety of playstyles against monstrous creatures.
- The story follows Frey, a reluctant hero, as she navigates the treacherous land of Athia with her sentient bracelet, Cuff, to fight powerful matriarchs.
- Despite its fun gameplay, the game received mixed reviews for its generic open world, controversial dialogue, and inconsistent narrative.
Introduction
Have you ever wondered what would happen if a modern-day person was suddenly thrown into a magical fantasy world? Forspoken, a new action RPG from Luminous Productions, explores just that. You play as Frey Holland, a street-smart young woman from New York, who finds herself in the beautiful but dangerous land of Athia. This open-world adventure tasks you with mastering powerful magical combat and a unique parkour system to survive and find a way home. Is this journey worth taking? Let’s find out.
Forspoken at a Glance: Game Overview and Development
Forspoken began its life under the codename “Project Athia,” an ambitious new title from Luminous Productions, a studio under the Square Enix umbrella. Developed to harness the power of next-generation hardware, this action RPG was officially released on January 24, 2023, after a couple of delays to ensure a more polished experience.
The game promises a vast open world, a unique magical combat system, and a narrative-driven adventure. Before we get into the details of the story and gameplay, let’s look at the creative minds behind the game and where you can play it.
Who Developed Forspoken? Meet the Creative Team
The development of Forspoken was handled by Luminous Productions, a studio formed by members of the team behind Final Fantasy XV. Their goal was to create a brand-new IP that pushed graphical and technical boundaries. The game was directed by Takeshi Aramaki, who also worked on Final Fantasy XV, bringing his experience in creating large-scale RPGs to this new project.
The creative team also included a host of talented writers tasked with building the world and story of Athia. The original concept was developed by Gary Whitta, with the story concept later handled by Amy Hennig. The final script was penned by a team that included Allison Rymer and Todd Stashwick, who worked to shape the odyssey of a reluctant hero, Frey Holland.
This blend of experienced Japanese developers and Western writers aimed to create a unique fantasy world. The music, a crucial part of any epic adventure, was composed by Bear McCreary (known for 2018’s God of War) and Garry Schyman (famous for the BioShock series), adding a powerful auditory layer to the game.
Platforms and Editions: Where Can You Play Forspoken?
Forspoken was released as a console exclusive for the PlayStation 5 and is also available for PC players. You can purchase the PC version from several digital storefronts, including Steam, the Epic Games Store, and the Windows Store. This wide availability on PC ensures that many gamers can experience Frey’s journey through Athia.
The game launched with a couple of different editions for players to choose from. The Standard Edition includes the base game, while the Digital Deluxe Edition offers some extra goodies. These include a mini artbook, a mini soundtrack, and, most notably, early access to the “In Tanta We Trust” prequel story DLC. PC players can also benefit from features like ray tracing and Microsoft’s DirectStorage technology for faster loading times, provided their rig meets the requirements.
For those looking to buy, it’s always a good idea to check the respective digital stores for sales, as prices can fluctuate. Here is a general breakdown of the editions:
|
Edition |
Contents |
|---|---|
|
Standard Edition |
The full base game of Forspoken. |
|
Digital Deluxe Edition |
The full base game, a mini artbook, a mini soundtrack, and early access to the “In Tanta We Trust” DLC. |
Delving Into Story and World-Building
The heart of Forspoken lies in its “isekai” premise—a story about a person transported to another world. The narrative follows Frey Holland on an unexpected trip from New York City to the sprawling realms of Athia, a land of magic and monsters. This setup creates the foundation for the odyssey of a reluctant hero, as Frey must adapt to her new powers and surroundings.
The world itself, while visually striking, is ravaged by a mysterious miasma known as “The Break.” We’ll explore how Frey’s character is developed within this context and how the visual and narrative design of Athia shapes her unforgettable journey.
Main Character and Plot Highlights
You play as Frey Holland, a cynical and street-smart young woman from New York City. On the verge of turning 21, she’s an orphan with a rough past, involved with the wrong crowd and just trying to scrape enough money together to escape her life. Her plans are upended when she discovers a mysterious, sentient bracelet that teleports her to the magical world of Athia.
Stuck in this new land, Frey’s only companion is the talking vambrace she nicknames “Cuff.” He guides her as she discovers her newfound magical abilities. Frey is the definition of a reluctant hero; her primary goal isn’t to save Athia but simply to find a way back home to her cat, Homer. Her blunt, modern-day potty mouth often clashes with the fantastical setting, creating a unique, if sometimes jarring, character dynamic.
The main plot sees Frey encountering the last remaining citizens of Athia in the city of Cipal. She learns of “The Break,” a devastating corruption that has turned the land’s creatures into monsters and driven its benevolent matriarchs, the Tantas, to madness. Because Frey is immune to The Break, she is seen as both a demon and a potential savior, forcing her into a quest to confront the powerful Tantas and uncover the mysteries of Athia.
Setting, Visuals, and Narrative Design
The world of Athia is presented as a vast, open landscape full of breathtaking vistas and ancient ruins. Visually, the game can be stunning, with the Luminous Engine rendering rich landscapes that stretch for miles. However, this beautiful land is also a treacherous one, corrupted by The Break and populated by monstrous creatures and otherworldly beasts. The narrative sends you across four distinct realms, each ruled by one of the Tantas, who have become evil sorceresses.
Despite its beauty, many found the world of Athia to feel empty and repetitive. The narrative design often relies on sending you to points on a map, with the space in between filled with checklist-style objectives. According to one review, “Forspoken does it with such a barebones transparency that Athia comes off less like a world for you to explore and more like a repetitive checklist.”
The narrative itself follows a predictable hero’s journey. While the second half of the story is considered more engaging, the beginning is bogged down by clunky exposition and a story that feels rushed.
- Visuals: The game boasts impressive graphics and vast, open landscapes, but these areas can sometimes lack interesting landmarks.
- World Design: Athia is filled with optional objectives like dungeons and fortresses, but they are often criticized for being repetitive and samey.
- Narrative: The story is a straightforward fantasy plot with predictable twists, though it becomes more compelling in its later chapters.
Gameplay Experience: Mechanics, Combat, and Exploration
Where Forspoken truly shines for many players is in its gameplay. The experience is built around two core pillars: fast-paced magical combat and a fluid, magic-enhanced parkour system. This combination makes exploration of the open world a thrilling experience, allowing you to zip across vast distances with flair.
With a wide range of powerful abilities at your disposal, the game encourages a variety of playstyles. You can customize your approach to battle, whether you prefer to fight from a distance with powerful spells or get up close and personal. Let’s examine the specific systems that make up this dynamic gameplay loop.
Magic, Parkour, and Core Systems
Forspoken’s gameplay revolves around Frey’s magical abilities. The combat system gives you a customizable arsenal of spells with over 100 different options. You’ll gain access to four elemental magic sets—earth, fire, water, and air—that you can switch between on the fly. Each set functions like a different weapon, complete with its own attack and support magic. This allows for strategic and visually spectacular battles.
Traversal is just as important as combat. Frey’s magic-fueled parkour lets you sprint at high speeds, leap over obstacles, and scale cliffs with ease. As you unlock more magical abilities, your movement becomes even more dynamic, with a grappling whip allowing you to swing across large gaps. This system makes moving from point A to point B an enjoyable activity in itself, rather than a chore.
The game’s progression systems are straightforward. You can equip cloaks, necklaces, and nail polish designs to boost your stats. A light crafting system allows you to upgrade your gear and swap perks, giving you flexibility in your build.
- Magic System: Four elemental spell sets with over 100 spells in total, including offensive attacks, support magic, and powerful ultimate moves.
- Parkour System: A fluid movement system that lets you sprint, leap, and glide across the terrain with magical enhancements.
- Progression: Upgradeable gear (cloaks, necklaces) and nail art provide stat boosts and special perks.
Strengths, Weaknesses, and Comparisons with Other Action RPGs
When compared to other action RPGs, Forspoken carves out its own niche primarily through its unique movement and combat. Unlike the methodical, weapon-based combat of games like God of War, Forspoken’s battles are entirely centered on magic, feeling more like a third-person shooter at times. The parkour system is its biggest strength, offering a sense of speed and freedom that few other open-world games can match.
However, it falls short in other areas where its contemporaries excel. The world design is often compared unfavorably to the rich, dense worlds of games like The Witcher 3 or even Final Fantasy XV, which was made by many of the same developers. While Frey’s journey is unique, the overall plot is seen as more generic than the epic narratives found in top-tier RPGs.
The game feels like an experiment—one with brilliant highs and disappointing lows. It offers a variety of playstyles but is held back by a world that doesn’t always encourage meaningful exploration.
- Strengths: Fast, fluid parkour and a deep, flashy magical combat system.
- Weaknesses: A generic story, repetitive open-world activities, and a bland world.
- Comparison: It stands apart with its magic-only combat and traversal but lacks the narrative depth and world-building of RPG giants like Final Fantasy or The Witcher.
Community & Critical Response
Upon its release, Forspoken was met with a deeply divided response from both critics and the wider gaming community. Reviews were all over the map, with some praising its innovative gameplay while others heavily criticized its writing and world design. This polarization made it one of the most talked-about, and controversial, games of early 2023.
Outlets like PC Gamer offered a measured but ultimately disappointed take, while other reviewers found a lot to love. This split in opinion has led to countless discussions online, with some player communities, including groups like Black Girl Gamers, offering unique perspectives on the game’s protagonist and themes.
What Do Critics and Players Think?
The critical reception for Forspoken was decidedly mixed, a fact reflected in its aggregated review scores. On Opencritic, it holds a “Fair” score of 67 out of 100 based on over 130 critic reviews. This score illustrates the wide gap in opinions, with individual reviews ranging from highly positive to scathingly negative.
For example, Gaming Nexus awarded it a 9.5/10, calling it “absolutely fantastic” and a “new classic.” In stark contrast, PC Gamer gave it a 65/100, stating that it “occasionally has small sparks of greatness, but then quickly douses itself in fear of ever being anything other than an upsettingly safe open-world RPG.” This sentiment was shared by outlets like IGN (6/10) and GameSpot (5/10), who praised the combat but were let down by the story and world.
Players’ opinions were similarly divided. Some found Frey’s character relatable and the gameplay loop addictive, while others were put off by the dialogue and empty world.
- Mixed Reception: Scores ranged from as high as 9.5/10 to as low as 2/5, highlighting a lack of critical consensus.
- Common Praise: The fast-paced, magic-based combat and fluid parkour system were almost universally praised.
- Common Criticism: The generic story, repetitive side content, and sometimes “cringey” dialogue were frequent points of contention.
Addressing Controversies and Mixed Reactions
The mixed reactions to Forspoken stem from a few key controversies and criticisms that emerged even before its release. A marketing trailer showcasing some of Frey’s quippy dialogue became a meme online, with many finding it “cringeworthy” and setting a negative tone for the game’s writing. This perception of awkward dialogue persisted into the full game for some players.
Another major point of contention was Frey herself. While some players, particularly from communities like Black Girl Gamers, celebrated having a Black woman lead a major RPG, others found her personality abrasive and unlikable. Her constant cynicism and foul language were seen as either a refreshing dose of realism or an exhausting character trait, depending on the player.
Finally, the game’s design contributed heavily to the mixed reactions. For every player who loved the freedom of the parkour system, there was another who felt the world was a vast, empty checklist of boring tasks. The poor PC optimization at launch also soured the experience for many, with severe performance issues even on high-end hardware. These factors combined to create a game that many found fundamentally flawed, despite its moments of brilliance.
Conclusion
In conclusion, “Forspoken” offers an intriguing blend of storytelling, innovative gameplay mechanics, and stunning visuals that make it a noteworthy addition to the action RPG genre. Although it has faced its share of criticism, many players find joy in its unique approach to magic and exploration. As with any game, experiences can vary widely based on personal preferences, and “Forspoken” certainly provides a distinct world to dive into. If you’re contemplating whether to embark on this adventure, don’t hesitate to give it a try; you may discover a game that resonates with you. Interested in exploring more gaming insights? Get in touch today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Forspoken currently on sale, and where can I buy it?
Forspoken is available for purchase on the PlayStation 5 and on PC through Steam, the Epic Games Store, and the Windows Store. Since its release date has passed, it frequently goes on sale. You should check these digital storefronts for current pricing on the Standard or Digital Deluxe Edition.
Why do some people think Forspoken is a bad game?
Forspoken’s mixed reception is due to several controversies. Many critics and players found its story generic, its open world empty and repetitive, and its dialogue cringeworthy. While some enjoyed the protagonist, others found her unlikable, contributing to the divisive opinions despite the game’s strong combat mechanics.
How does Forspoken compare to other action RPGs?
Forspoken distinguishes itself from other action RPGs like Final Fantasy or God of War with its unique focus on magical combat and high-speed parkour. While it shares open-world elements, its gameplay feels more like a fast-paced shooter, but it often lacks the deep narrative and world-building of its peers.
