Forspoken Game Review: A Disappointing Start to an Appealing World

The fantasy world of Forspoken has certainly piqued the interest of gamers, thanks in part to its visually stunning graphics and promise of an immersive open-world experience. However, upon closer inspection, it appears that these impressive visuals may be masking some significant art asset issues.

One of the most notable concerns is the apparent lack of ray-tracing until Frey arrives in Athia. This raises questions about the game's technical capabilities and whether they are being fully utilized. Furthermore, the opening chapter's depiction of NYC in December, where the ground remains dry despite snowfall, suggests a lack of attention to detail that may be indicative of broader issues with the game's design.

Other problems arise when examining the game's level design and physics. Doors appear to grow or shrink depending on how players view them, a quirk reminiscent of Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland but not in a good way. This lack of consistency and attention to detail is concerning, especially given the game's ambitious scope.

Moreover, the opening chapter's presentation of Frey's backstory through documents on a table, complete with a judge handing down a community service sentence, feels sloppy and uninspired. Unfortunately, this sets the tone for the rest of the game, which fails to impress in its lack of consideration for player engagement.

Square Enix faces stiff competition in the open-world genre, and Forspoken's disappointing start may be enough to turn off gamers who are looking for a more polished experience. With publisher Square Enix already under fire for their handling of diversity in Final Fantasy XVI, Forspoken's decision to begin with its Black protagonist in court for her third felony is a misguided choice that fails to make a strong impression.

Overall, while Forspoken has potential, it falls short in several key areas, leaving gamers wondering if this game will be able to live up to its promise.

Forspoken game 2023