As a seasoned RPG enthusiast with a penchant for atmospheric, immersive experiences, Drova: Forsaken Kin has left me spellbound and yearning for more. The game seamlessly transports you to a realm reminiscent of Gothic’s dark, mystical allure, yet manages to carve its unique niche within the genre.
Listening to Drova: Forsaken Kin being called a “Gothic-style pixel art RPG” made me curious about how its gameplay mechanics might work in a side-scrolling format, but in the end, I was pleasantly surprised by the outcome.
Drova effectively conveys the essence of Gothic style by offering a relatively concise yet richly detailed environment to traverse, one that doesn’t guide you step-by-step. When I mention a “compact” environment, I don’t mean small in size. Instead, it’s not procedurally generated and doesn’t stretch infinitely. You’ll find yourself returning to numerous locations repeatedly, and your choices will shape the world and its inhabitants.
The story unfolds in a dimly Celtic-meets-Slavic realm where life is constantly challenging. Having observed druids from your village stealing a mystical red gem, you resolve to step into the hero’s shoes, trailing them deep into the ominous, shadowy woods. When events take a turn for the worse, you find yourself saddled with the crystal and stranded in Drova’s enigmatic, magical land. To return home, you must deliver the gem to the city of Nemeton; whether that will allow your departure remains uncertain.
Regrettably, Drova: Forsaken Kin adheres to traditional gaming elements in several aspects. One of its notable features is the absence of clear guidance or signposting. Your map intentionally lacks clarity, and you’ll need to purchase ink from vendors if you wish to mark important locations or points of interest. The storyline is flexible yet impactful, as your choices and completed quests for different factions can subtly change the responses of non-player characters (NPCs) towards you and the items you encounter in specific areas. Similarly to Gothic, you’ll have to seek out special NPCs to learn new skills and abilities, and choosing the wrong faction may hinder your progress.
In Drova, space is never unused. Every destination has a purpose, making it worthwhile to visit each area. Scattered corpses, containers, and random items on the ground are all potential discoveries, encouraging thorough exploration. With an extensive crafting system, you’ll find yourself collecting everything from meat and berries found in the wilderness, which can be cooked at campfires for various uses.
In this game, combat is mainly linked with improving your abilities and experience (XP). As you advance in levels and frequently use specific weapons over others, you’ll gradually master them and unlock additional capabilities. Many skills, such as spells, require a gauge or meter that fills up when engaging enemies, while others have a cooldown period. For instance, ranged weapons like bows work by drawing back the string to align two sights before releasing to strike a target.
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In this game, combat is direct yet challenging, as enemies pack a punch. You can switch between two weapon sets at will, so being prepared for any situation is crucial. Unlike other games, enemies don’t show their levels, so you never know if something is significantly stronger until it’s already attacked you. The combat relies heavily on timing, as you have a dodge roll to avoid damage and must time your attacks with your opponent’s. Each battle feels intense and responsive, but it can be very tough. Luckily, you won’t suffer heavy penalties for losing, as you simply respawn at the last safe spot.
Despite minimal spoken dialogue beyond the opening, boasting only a basic character creator, Drova: Forsaken Kin is brimming with an immersive atmosphere. The gloomy, grimy pixel art, eerie soundtrack, and overarching feeling of isolation in a harsh world effectively collaborate to establish a distinctive RPG adventure that carries a fresh feel yet echoes the essence of timeless games such as Gothic.
For some players, not having maps and quest markers could potentially be a significant disadvantage (I must admit I sometimes felt the same), but it encourages you to slow down and fully immerse yourself in the game world. At first glance, some of the systems may seem basic, but the level of engagement you have with the game world significantly affects your experience. The playtime for Drova: Forsaken Kin varies between 30 and 40 hours, depending on how much you choose to explore and discover. In essence, this game offers a rich, satisfying experience whether you’re diving in for an hour or several.
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2024-10-16 12:16