After countless hours diving into the magical world of Athia, I’m excited to share my firsthand experience with Forspoken on the PS5. As someone who’s always been drawn to fantasy games that offer a mix of captivating storytelling and innovative gameplay, I couldn’t wait to explore what this action-adventure RPG had in store.
From the moment Frey was thrust into this mystical realm, I felt like I was right there with her, navigating the challenges, mastering spells, and uncovering the secrets of a world both beautiful and dangerous.
Forspoken is a highly anticipated action-adventure RPG developed by Luminous Productions and published by Square Enix. As one of the flagship titles leveraging the PS5’s powerful hardware, the game sets high expectations for immersive storytelling, stunning visuals, and innovative gameplay mechanics. But does it deliver on all fronts? Let’s dive into an in-depth review covering everything from plot and gameplay to performance and its connection to other games like Final Fantasy.
Plot: A New York City Dreamer in a Magical World
The story centers on Frey Holland, a young woman from modern-day New York City who finds herself mysteriously transported to the fantastical land of Athia. Armed with a magical talking bracelet named Cuff, Frey must navigate this dangerous world, battling monstrous creatures and unraveling the mystery of her newfound powers. The overarching narrative involves Frey’s quest to defeat the Tantas, former protectors of Athia who have succumbed to corruption, plunging the realm into chaos.
While the premise is compelling, Forspoken’s storytelling occasionally falters. The dialogue sometimes feels out of place, with Frey’s modern quips clashing against the high-fantasy setting. However, the game’s themes of self-discovery and resilience shine through, particularly as Frey grapples with her reluctant hero’s journey. The narrative pacing improves after the first few chapters, gradually immersing players in Athia’s lore and its tragic history.
Gameplay: Magic in Motion
Character Control and Exploration
Forspoken’s gameplay is built around Frey’s unique ability to use magical parkour. Traversing Athia’s expansive open world is exhilarating, with Frey leaping across cliffs, scaling walls, and gliding over rivers. The controls for these movements are intuitive, making exploration smooth and rewarding. Hidden treasures, side quests, and environmental storytelling await those who venture off the beaten path.
However, the sheer size of the world can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially when objectives are spread far apart. While fast travel is available, the game’s reliance on open-world tropes (like fetch quests and repetitive activities) can detract from the overall experience.
Combat and Spells
Forspoken’s combat system is its crown jewel, offering a fresh take on spellcasting. Frey wields a variety of elemental magic, including fire, earth, water, and electricity. Spells are divided into offensive, defensive, and utility categories, allowing for creative and strategic gameplay. Switching between spells mid-combat feels fluid, and the visual effects are stunning, with vibrant explosions and intricate spell animations lighting up the battlefield.
Combat difficulty is well-balanced, with an emphasis on timing and positioning. Early battles serve as a tutorial, introducing players to Frey’s abilities. As the game progresses, enemies become more challenging, requiring a deeper understanding of spell combinations and tactical movement. Boss battles, in particular, are a highlight, blending intense action with cinematic flair.
Accessibility and Difficulty
Forspoken caters to a wide range of players, offering multiple difficulty settings and accessibility options. For newcomers to action RPGs, the “Story” mode provides a relaxed experience, focusing on exploration and narrative. Meanwhile, seasoned players can opt for higher difficulty levels that demand precision and mastery of Frey’s abilities.
The learning curve is moderate. While the magic system is complex, the game introduces mechanics gradually, ensuring players are not overwhelmed. Tutorials and on-screen prompts are helpful without being intrusive, making the game accessible to both casual and hardcore gamers.
Length and Replayability
Forspoken’s main story takes approximately 15-20 hours to complete, depending on the player’s pace and chosen difficulty. Completing side quests and exploring Athia’s vast world can extend the playtime to 30-40 hours. While the side content adds depth to the world, not all activities feel meaningful, with some fetch quests detracting from the game’s overall quality.
Replayability is limited, as the game lacks branching story paths or significant choices that impact the narrative. However, fans of the combat system may enjoy replaying on higher difficulties to perfect their strategies.
Performance and Visuals
Forspoken is a visual showcase for the PS5, leveraging its hardware to deliver stunning environments, detailed character models, and realistic lighting effects. Athia’s diverse biomes—ranging from lush forests to barren deserts—are beautifully rendered, making exploration a visual treat.
The game runs smoothly at 60 FPS in “Performance” mode, while the “Quality” mode offers enhanced graphics at a slightly lower frame rate. Load times are virtually nonexistent, thanks to the PS5’s SSD, ensuring seamless transitions between areas.
That said, Forspoken’s performance is not without flaws. Occasional frame rate drops and texture pop-ins can detract from the experience. These issues are not game-breaking but are noticeable in certain high-action sequences or densely populated areas.
Connection to Final Fantasy and Other Games
As a product of Square Enix, Forspoken inevitably draws comparisons to the Final Fantasy series. The game shares thematic similarities with Final Fantasy XV, particularly in its open-world design and real-time combat mechanics. Both titles emphasize exploration and dynamic, visually spectacular battles, though Forspoken’s magic system sets it apart.
Fans of Final Fantasy may also recognize narrative parallels, such as the focus on a reluctant protagonist, mystical forces, and world-saving quests. However, Forspoken’s modern protagonist and urban backstory provide a fresh perspective within the fantasy genre.
In terms of gameplay, Forspoken’s fluid movement and parkour mechanics echo elements of games like Marvel’s Spider-Man, while its spellcasting and open-world exploration draw comparisons to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Despite these influences, Forspoken carves out its identity with a unique blend of magic and movement.
Overall Rating
Pros:
- Exhilarating magical parkour and traversal
- Deep, dynamic spellcasting system
- Stunning visuals and diverse environments
- Accessible difficulty options for all players
- Engaging boss battles and cinematic flair
Cons:
- Uneven storytelling and inconsistent dialogue
- Overreliance on open-world tropes
- Limited replayability
- Occasional performance hiccups
Final Verdict:
Forspoken is a visually stunning and mechanically innovative RPG that offers a fresh take on fantasy adventure. While its storytelling and side content could use refinement, the game’s thrilling combat and magical parkour make it a standout experience on the PS5. Fans of action RPGs and Square Enix’s portfolio will find much to enjoy, even if it falls short of perfection.
Rating: 8/10
Forspoken may not redefine the genre, but it’s a bold step forward for Square Enix, showcasing the potential of next-gen gaming. If you’re ready to immerse yourself in a world of magic and mystery, Athia awaits!
Buy Forspoken Now and Begin Your Adventure:
Ready to step into the magical world of Athia? You can grab Forspoken on your favorite platform from the links below:
- Amazon: Forspoken on Amazon
- PlayStation Store (PS5): Forspoken on PS Store
- PC (Steam): Forspoken on Steam
- Epic Games Store (PC): Forspoken on Epic Games Store
Don’t miss out on this action-packed adventure! Let me know if you’d like me to integrate this directly into your review document.
YouTube Complete Gameplay Walkthrough
For those interested in experiencing the journey along with me, I’ve uploaded my entire gameplay of Forspoken to YouTube, capturing all the thrilling moments, battles, and discoveries. You can watch it here. Join me as I explore Athia and unravel its mysteries!