Elden Ring has a lot to answer for, as does Dark Souls and the whole FromSoftware back catalogue. Due to the success of these games – both critically and financially – everyone is trying to copy the formula. And to be fair, the games produced have been pretty good as well with Lies of P and Salt and Sanctuary further good examples of this genre.
But if I’m honest I feel the market is getting a bit tired and needs a boost. We might have that here with Bleak Faith: Forsaken; an innovative game from a three-person development team. Prepare to die.
The title itself doesn’t evoke a game of love, rainbows, and colour, does it? Bleak Faith: Forsaken has a sombre tone to it and like some other Souls games tells its story through visual storytelling, characters and items you meet along the way.
The narrative told is one that is minimal in context, but the world you arrive into and explore is always intriguing, at times stunning and frightening to behold. What happened here? I’m never quite sure I got the answers I wanted, but I don’t think it affected my journey.
Be sure though, for those who like their game with no hand-holding, this will be the game for you. It’s easy to get lost in this world so be aware, but at the same time, my favourite part of Bleak Faith: Forsaken was found in exploring this epic world and seeing what’s around each corner.
The controls of the game take a while to get used to. The jump button is a bit too floaty at times and a tad annoying. There are save points, (like bonfires) and a scan button to find hidden items of lore, or to navigate your way through. But it is the combat itself that is the key to any Souls game.
I found Bleak Faith: Forsaken’s combat difficult and I don’t mind admitting that. There is the usual mixture of light attack, heavy attack, dodge, rolling, blocking, etc… all brought to your fighting arena. You can choose to use ranged combat or magic if you go down that route with your character. There are items you can use to help you in combat and special magical weapons to collect, useful when going up against huge bosses in large arenas.
How much you enjoy this experience will depend on how you enjoy a Souls-like game, and whether you are going to be in it for the long haul. These types of games require patience, planning and sometimes just sheer luck. You will die, a bunch of times, and you will learn every time you come back. The good news is that in Bleak Faith: Forsaken you don’t lose your Experience on death. Silver linings eh?
The game visuals are a highly mixed bag, working amazing backdrops and some great boss designs. But in other moments the game seems a bit too similar in terms of textures and brightness. I can forgive that completely, what with the three-person team of developers behind the brilliant world-building. I must say though, the soundscore is impressive, as are the effects in combat.
Did you need another Souls game in your life? Well maybe not, but there is something about Bleak Faith: Forsaken that will ensure you will want to keep playing. Yes, it feels like it treads very familiar ground in terms of combat, progression and sheer death. But there is something about this world that will demand your attention and game time.
If you’re looking for more Souls in your life then you can’t go wrong with Bleak Faith: Forsaken.
