Forspoken Reviews
Forspoken is absolutely fantastic. With all the spells you can unlock, the gear you can upgrade, the fights, the bosses, and a storyline that rivals the best video game stories, this isn't a return to form for SquareEnix, it's a testament that they still got it, and will have it for a very, very long time.
In the end, Forspoken is okay, with its world, parkour, and combat as its high points.
Ultimately, Forspoken is a game that is just like its main character. At first glance, it appears flawed and suffers from several issues. Dig deeper and give it some time, however, and it just might grow on you thanks to a compelling story that tackles some tough issues and a really good combat system that dishes out some serious fun. It’s certainly far from perfect. But it’s also not the horrible game that some make it out to be. I only wish the pacing was better as it starts out really slow and takes a while for it to really get going.
Forspoken would be a passable PlayStation title if it were released a decade ago, but it drops the ball as a contemporary AAA game due to its awkward voice performances, muddy visuals, and many bizarre design choices.
Even with its unfortunate first impression, I’d hardly recommend Forspoken. Its exceptional gameplay is more than enough to make it worth playing and is all the more noteworthy, given it’s a fresh new IP. If nothing else, it lays the groundwork for a new series that has plenty to build from and could go on to be remembered for far more than some rough dialogue.
Square Enix did the right thing by investing in an entirely new franchise. But in the end, Forspoken is a huge disappointement with too many flaws to be a good game. A bland open world with forgets to shape its own identity, a poor writing and too many weakness from a technical point of view, coexist with some good gameplay mechanics like the spells and the parkour.
Review in French | Read full review
Forspoken inspires with its parkour and combat system, but otherwise can only convince moderately and gives away a lot of potential.
Review in German | Read full review
There was a moment when we really feared for the success of Fospoken, which due to a not exactly crystalline communication from the publisher often ended up making us feel conflicting feelings.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Forspoken manages to stand out for its fantastic combat system and spectacular exploration in its open world. However, it clearly could have been better in other areas.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Want to explore a beautiful and desolate fantasy world without being stomped into the ground by every enemy you meet? The power fantasy of 'Forspoken' might just be the game for you.
Serviceable action combat can't salvage a disappointing narrative and tedious open world.
Forspoken isn't perfect, owing to a middling campaign and a need for more optimization. Still, its spell combat system and parkour mechanics are top-notch, with landscapes and abilities that can truly amaze.
The delightful tools you have at your disposal to explore this dazzling world make every moment spent in Athia worth it.
Forspoken is an incredible title. Although the story suffers from being a bit too generic, the gameplay is inventive, magical, and an absolute blast. This is a game I'll come back to again and again just to move around and exist in the fascinating fantasy world. Forspoken is an exciting leap forward for action games, and I can't get enough of it.
Forspoken offers an engaging story and fluid traversal mechanics that make the act of exploring the world and upgrading Frey's magical abilities an absolute delight.
It's a shame that the early pacing issues with Forspoken and the slow-burn drip-feeding of abilities will likely put off a lot of players and prevent them from seeing how fun the game can actually be when it's firing on all cylinders. Bland and boring environments with some awkward visual choices and lifeless character models give an unfortunate first impression that is saved by its enjoyable parkour and versatile combat during the later stages of the game, along with a surprisingly heartfelt story. Forspoken might not be the savior we were all hoping for, but it's a decent adventure with enough soul that it shouldn't be cast aside entirely.
Forspoken isn’t for everyone - and this is its strength. Games that spark controversy can be the most interesting. This seems a sign that the developers have successfully realized their vision. Such courage is commendable, especially in the era of clones.
Review in Polish | Read full review
All these fragments of Forspoken collide in messy ways that reveal the lack of depth or even synergy across the whole thing. Forspoken is, if anything, a compelling enough first draft at something that I think can be greater. Maybe next time around the puzzle pieces will actually fit and I'll be able to see the game it could've been. But as it stands right now, a more explicit direction could've prevented the thorough roasting everyone seems keen to deliver.