Bleak Faith: Forsaken is a game with incredible potential. It makes up for technical issues with surreal environments and horrific enemy designs, but its core gameplay suffers from heavy focus on Souls-like mechanics and common deaths. It still needs time to resolve those problems, but if the devs make use of that time with continued updates and support, faith in this game's greatness might not be so bleak after all.
Bleak Faith: Forsaken has a lot of potential, and the developers seem dedicated to updating the game, so it's possible that a lot of this review will be outdated in a few months. At the moment, it's a testament to the difficulty of making a good Soulslike. All of the pieces are there, but they don't fit together properly, which exacerbates the genre flaws more significantly than any other type of game on the market. Bleak Faith has some strengths if you're willing to work past its flaws, but it doesn't stand out among the absolute glut of similar titles on the market.
Bleak Faith: Forsaken(or: the most broken game I love)I have a soft spot for souls like games, and even more so for those that look grim and depressing. So a souls like with name "Bleak Faith" of course piqued my interest. At release in early 2023 it sadly recieved a lot of negative reviews for being broken and supposedly unplayable. So I held of.Gladly there was more work put into the game in the months since then. Quite a lot of work. Not a small feat considering it is made by only 3 devs!So I bit the bullet and got it, thinking I could still refund if the need arose... and I am so glad I did.I obsessed over it with more than 40 hours in the last 2 **** games presentation is amazing - visually and with the soundtrack (which can be found on bandcamp).Bleak is the perfect description: bleakly beautiful. The game mixes so many visual elements that, on paper, should just not work alongside each other. But they are combined in a weirdly logical way that makes a coherent mesh of medival looking ruins, brutalistic concrete living-blocks and desolate remainders of plant life. The Omnistructure looks like an impossible amalgamation of materials, architectural styles and angles that can't **** the ideas the game picks up on are a mix of a lot of other games. Of course Dark Souls, with stamina based combat with mostly melee weapons. Weapons and armour can be upgraded with gems, similar to a diablo game. Those define what stat-bonuses you get. There is no traditional leveling system with grinding for XP. But you can try farming enemies for materials that can be used for crafting and **** combat, there are no invicibility-frames though. You either have to get out of the reach of the weapon animation or block/parry. It's mostly based on a combo-system that boosts well-timed attacks. Bigger enemies can be climbed to attack weak-spots. Brutal and often **** if you die you lose nothing. No way to earn XP means no way of losing it **** you will die! A **** that will sadly happen quite often because of the messy state the game is in. There were a lot of times that I glitched out of the world and fell to my death or had to force myself to respawn because I got stuck. But that is because I kept exploring every single corner. The nature of the Omnistructure meant that I was never sure if I got out of bounds or not. So I roamed areas that kinda looked unfinished until I found an enemy or item hidden away. I just can't resist **** gameplay in general is quite janky and feels unpolished and the movement floaty. But that is something you can get used **** is all too intriguing to not press on.There might be no other game that made me think or say "what the..!?!" so many times. The devs are creative when it comes to tying the world together in weird ways. And at the same time they know how to take existing ideas from other games and make them work in this. Kinda. Everything is a bit clunky, the menus are a mess and a lot of the systems are poorly explained. One endgame mechanic in particular is so crucial that it should be explained but somehow doing that would spoil a lot and take away from the impact it has. The game requires a lot of patience and time.That is why I can only recommend Bleak Faith to someone that knows they can handle the frustration and challenging gameplay without just giving up on it. Because it feels so rewarding in the end.I am compelled to give this a positive review for the sake of giving a positive review. Because I want the devs to press on, improve the game or make something similarly impressive. To give a negative review would betray the more than 40 hours I poured into this game. And it will probably be ****;DR:+ amazing and atmospheric visuals and music+ creative and fascinating ideas+ huge gameworld to explore- clunky and floaty animations- very obscure game-mechanics and lore- uncomfortable UI- imbalanced difficultyIf you have a high tolerance for jank and patience for difficulty spikes and weirdly punishing game-mechanics: go ahead. If not: watch someone play if you can.
So I bought this thisorning to hold me over until Shadow of the Erdtree and I'm really happy I did. Yes it's a little clunky but I'm having loads of fun. Honestly the clunkiness remind me of DS1 but my God these level designs are amazing. I know the huge space isn't for everyone but I love it. Imo this is one of my favorite for getting the sense of being lost and just going around doin my thing. But then id stumble across a section that would connect to an area I already explored. I wish there were a few more bosses to come across with the world being as huge as it is but I'm still really enjoying myself. The fact that this was made by 3 devs is the most mind blowing part. If u guys read this plz keeps at it. This game has a few rough spots but it is definitely a hidden jem and id love to see what y'all do next
Bleak Faith: Forsaken is a competent sci-fi soulslike with a beautiful and brutal new world to explore. It’s combat is serviceable, but its lack of explanations, narrative or even lore will leave many floundering without anything much to grab onto. This is one for the really dedicated Souls veteran who leans far to the extremes of the From Software design school.
Bleak Faith Forsaken’s screenshots are impressive. The game’s art direction and atmosphere suggest an oppressive future world, but Bleak Faith Forsaken is all window dressing. Behind the façade, a seriously unpolished Soulslike filled with broken dreams awaits.
I was absolutely blown away by this game. Sure, it had its quirks here and there, but the game's design was simply amazing, and the graphics were absolutely stunning. I recently finished the game, and I can't express how much I loved it. Initially, I had concerns about the game's size, but as I dove deeper into it, I discovered that everything somehow connected in the end.
I'm really excited to dive into a New Game+ playthrough, and I'm genuinely hoping for some DLC down the line. I've heard some people griping about the price, but honestly, in my opinion, this game is worth every cent. The developers have been hard at work fixing numerous bugs, and while it might take a little getting used to, the gameplay has become even more challenging, especially with the revamped boss fights. And let's not forget about the fantastic armor sets and weapons you can find in the game. If you take the time to master the game's gems, understand your character's stats, and choose the right perks for your build, you can become a total powerhouse in this game and have an absolute blast. When I first started playing, it felt a bit strange, but as I continued, I realized that it just required a bit of adjustment. I want to extend a heartfelt thanks to the three developers who crafted this gaming masterpiece. I plan on revisiting it, and I'm thoroughly impressed with the significant number of bugs they've fixed. This level of patching loyalty is rarely seen in the industry! Thank you once again, for delivering such an incredible gaming experience. ^.^ Archangel FTW!!! Can't wait for more from the studio!
It's actually incredibly good once you get past the poor optimization and occasional jankiness. I would recommend buying this simply because it is incredibly creative with excellent visuals and sound design, as well as detailed RPG mechanics with many possible builds. Is it polished? Is it as good as Elden ring? No. But it's different, and it's creative, and it's higher quality than most AAA games released these days, and it was made by 2 or 3 people.
I embarked on this game's journey well after the controversy surrounding its launch. This unique context likely colored my experience, but I was pleasantly surprised by the depth and quality of the game.
Atmosphere and Artistic Direction
The ambiance of the game is incredibly immersive, capturing a unique technofuturistic essence. The settings are meticulously crafted, showcasing beautiful panoramas that invite exploration. The soundtrack, on the other hand, is perfectly balanced, enriching every moment spent in this world.
Gameplay and Player Experience
The freedom of exploration is a significant highlight. I felt in control of my discoveries, navigating through a universe that rewards curiosity. The movement and combat system particularly impressed me; it reminds me of the rigor and precision of Dark Souls, with an emphasis on the characters' weight and stamina management. This approach makes combat more strategic and realistic, far from the usual superhero displays.
Technical and Design Aspects
Despite the game not being a AAA title, its charm and quality should not be underestimated. It's evident that the developers poured a lot of passion into its creation, which shines through every aspect of the game. It's refreshing to see such a polished work stemming from a team clearly dedicated to delivering a memorable experience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this game represents a unique and deeply satisfying adventure. It stands out not only for its demanding gameplay but also for its ability to immerse players in a rich and captivating universe. It's a brilliant proof that passion and creativity can transcend traditional expectations and classifications in the video game world.
I really want to rate it higher(although even 7 is a bit high), but I can't.Pros: music and sound design, atmosphere of abandonment of big cities and environments, non-linear expanse, possibility to make a unique build from armour, there are a decent amount of beautiful locations.Cons: crooked combat, bugs, too slow enemies and main character, too long to get to a certain place/boss.
Despite the very creative and inspired art direction, the game is absolutely, brutally, painfully raw and buggy.
This is not just "janky". It's simply brutally buggy and painful to try and play. The first few hours were much much better, and then later areas are simply unbearably buggy, with issues that either kill you or force you to respawn or simply waste tons of your time with no meaningful gameplay or reward in-between. 2/10 for the great art direction, but it's simply not in a playable, marketable state.
SummaryExplore the last remnants of civilization in this vast, unforgiving, and interconnected world. Learn what is left of its history. Discover pockets of civilization in the perpetually expanding Omnistructure. Lose yourself in a journey unlike any other.
Rich in atmosphere and rife with danger, be prepared to be immersed in a new world u...