Thursday, 9 October 2008
Folklore Impressions
Folklore is a solid game that I don't think got enough credit in the gaming press. I may be generous towards this game because I love the style and atmosphere, but in a game like this that is half the battle. If you haven't heard of Folklore, this video review gives the basic rundown:
To me a good RPG needs two things: first, a setting (and characters) that you like—you spend a lot of time in their world, so it needs to be a world you are drawn to. And second, a battle system that is engaging and fun. The gameplay needs to be able to stand up as a game that's fun to play for it to capture your interest.
On the first criterion, then, Folklore has me sold: it has a Hotel Dusk style murder mystery set in a seaside Irish town, framing excursions into a Netherworld that is beautiful and intriguing. People have criticised the graphic-novel style cutscenes (instead of voice acting like one would expect nowadays), but to me that's just not relevant to the core value of the game.
On the second criterion, though, Folklore really knocks it out of the park. There is no physical combat in the game; you capture ids from the monsters you defeat and use their attacks in battle. You spend a lot of time configuring which face buttons you want to go with which attack, but the overall feeling is that you are a real badass powerful wizard who can unleash a gigantic beast or dragon on his foes at whim. That super-powered feeling is for me one of the joys of video games, and this game really gives it to you.
So, no, it's not necessarily the game to win over converts to the genre, and the lack of much voice acting is disappointing in a PS3 game, though the presentation is otherwise good, if a little old-fashioned. There are moments of incredible HD graphics, but all-in-all the game feels like a a PS2 or Dreamcast game. (That doesn't bother me though: after all, I'm also playing Mega Man II!) On the measures that matter, Folklore is a solid RPG that I am looking forward to playing the rest of the way through. And it makes an excellent change of pace from shooters and war games.
