In Forspoken, you control the quick-witted and short-tempered Frey (voiced by Ella Balinska), who fires elemental attacks (and f-bombs) at various monsters before jumping off cliffs and swinging from liquid rocks. You continue to adventure through the land of Athia because it's so much fun and satisfying, but as you slow down you start to see gaps.
Powered by Square Enix's in-house Luminous Engine (the team behind the game is a new group called Luminous Productions), Forspoken offers some beautiful moments of magical fireworks, but it doesn't quite match the constant environmental beauty (and attention to detail). Games like Horizon Forbidden West or Returnal. However, most of the elemental effects, Frey's movement, and most of Athia's world are beautifully done.
The matriarchs who rule the world, the Tantas, are undeniably terrifying , with spellbinding sequences, plenty of intrigue and stunning costumes. Fighting, talking and learning about the four leaders and their fall from grace are some of the highlights of Forspoken . Luminous Productions even called Tantas the team's "labor of love," and that goes without saying.
Take Tanta Prav, a judgmental Tanta (they all have useful names to explain how they tend to hurt you), for example: he's happily promiscuous and at war with himself. Surrounded by his aquatic creatures, he is judge, jury, and executioner, but there is no one left to judge. Until Frey Tantas killed one of his comrades.
Right after that, he yells at Frey and immediately knows you have to stop him. The larger story has its ups and downs, but most of the big mid-game moments and scenarios involve Tantas' machinations. Try to sneak (or just escape) Tanta of Strength's castle with a crossbow that shoots fireballs at you and minions surrounding you while dodging hellfire. Later, another Tanta takes you "back" to New York, and the results tease that all is not as it seems.
While most of the elemental effects, Frey's movement, and much of Athia's silent world are beautifully rendered, other parts are not. Cipal, the game's only inhabited region, is a huge disappointment in terms of antagonists and their camps. Take Auden, the first friend of Cipalda Frey, who became the last bastion of humanity in Athia. He often interacts with Frey in the first and last chapters of " Forspoken "; He probably gets more screen time than anyone but one of the Tantas. He is also Athia's main source of information about why Tantas is now a depraved despot and how dark everything is. Near the end of the world, why does it look so messy? Likewise, Tanta Cinta, at the center of the plot, seems to imitate poor Aude's depravity.
It's not just a graphics problem. It is clear where less effort is being made. Open world games with low quality side quests (or game filler) are common. I gave up in the middle of Assassin's Creed: Valhalla , but most of the missions in Forspoken are very boring and unrewarding. I'm still working on the game, so I'll update if there are any nice surprises. But it doesn't look great so far.
While maintaining the pace of the main story, parkour's magical abilities make running around on dirt a quick and easy affair - and certainly faster than a horse - without much incentive to explore. One of the most prominent places is the huge birdcage that marks the enclosed labyrinth. But from what I've researched, it's a simple mix of monsters and runners, with an animal sub-boss at the end. Other side quests like Assassin's Creed, Horizon, Ghost of Tsushima, Spider-Man and many open world games of the last 10 years.
Do you like chasing collections? Welcome to the cat hunting side mission. How to do it without your quick magical parkour skills? Because here's the reality: Even if Frey is finally accepted into the city, you can never get past Cipal City and leap over its walls. That is, you have to trade with collectors and run to the pub like an ordinary person. (Strangely, even the sprint button and magic parkour button aren't the same button.) The good thing is that there isn't much to keep you going in this town. Although this is the only inhabited area in the game, it is the least attractive. Take the Tavern - During the celebration, you will be able to experience the most ordinary and crazy dance events in real time. Button presses and timings have nothing to do with patterns and gestures. Fortunately, it looks like something unique.
Forspoken may offer an open world, but you won't be able to play with Tantas outside of the story sequence. Don't worry, the cheeky twins are on hand to joke around between stories. The relationship between Cuff and Frey is strange: they both hate each other, but not in a charming way. Frey can get through anything with ease, but while Square Enix has brought some writing talent to Forspoken TV , there isn't much depth or character to appreciate. Many important plot points get stuck in the last third of the game, and Frey's sudden mood swings are never believable.
Outside of the main campaign, Forspoken offers plenty of exploration, but the rewards just aren't worth it. Every time I unlock a new cap or accessory, it's usually way below the specs of my current gear. Had to go on another magical 5K run to collect potions and other items to bring things up to a decent level.
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