

However, the button-mashing strategy and lack of any real challenge in the combat system keeps it from truly feeling rewarding and engaging. It's a lot of fun casting crowd-control spells on a group of enemies while meleeing a handful of others at the same time. As you progress through the game, you'll be able to use various magic spells that have different effects on enemies, as well as defensive spells. The combat mechanics in "Forspoken" are solid and engaging, but they too fall short of fully capitalizing on many of the game's more interesting abilities. The world-building and repetitive side quests, along with several of the key story beats feel rushed and underdeveloped, leading to much of the game feeling like an extended series of disconnected and coincidental events. In search of a way home, Frey must use her newfound magical abilities to traverse sprawling landscapes, battle monstrous creatures and defeat powerful.

Despite a strong performance from Frey's Ella Balinska and some genuinely interesting ideas presented within the world of Athia, the overall package feels shallow and lacking in tension or emotional weight. Summary: Forspoken is an action RPG that follows the journey of Frey, a young New Yorker transported to the beautiful and cruel land of Athia.

For such a story-driven game, "Forspoken" leaves much to be desired.
