For this edition of the Quick Game Review I will be covering a game that, despite receiving a whole chorus of critical applause, was never fully embraced by PlayStation 3 gamers as the real masterpiece that it is. In fact, I would go so far as to say that this game is one of the best Sony exclusive games ever produced.
Ladies and Gents, may I present the Quick Game Review of Folklore for the PS3!
My special lady friend and I picked this game up at a local Goodwill for 7 bucks, and I was half-expecting it to be a somewhat primitive (by PS3 standards) launch title.
I could not have been more wrong.
Now, I have come to discover that Folklore is a wildly imaginative title, built on uniquely original concepts, and given rich, vibrant, life by deep characters and stunning game graphics/art.
Cut-scenes in Folklore are among the cleanest and certainly most dynamic visuals that have thus far been seen on the system, especially when you consider the game’s age. Everything looks gorgeous, from the sharp, hypnotizing realism of Doolin Village, to the twisted, phantasmagoric surrealism of the Netherworld, a place which is all at once the perfect blending of Labyrinth and Alice in Wonderland.
Both main characters, Ellen and Keats, make for very memorable protagonists, and each has their own connected, yet compellingly divergent, stories. The ability to choose which character to play after each chapter really gives the overall experience an almost tangible depth, a quality that is found in only the finest of games.
Combat is easily one of the strongest points of the game, and this has much to do with the highly engaging “Folk” system. The Folk system allows you to summon the spirits of defeated Faery foes, who then aid you in your quest to unravel the mysteries that plague the small coastal village of Doolin, Ireland. Each different Folk has a unique attack and there will often be at least one instance during the game where they will be extra useful, usually when fighting a particular enemy or boss. Also, with over 100 different Folk to collect, the replay value of Folklore, if just for this reason alone, would still be quite high.
The music of Folklore is pretty awesome as well, with the score being perfectly arranged to match the game-play and level design. The soundtrack, should you ever get the chance, is worth a purchase, especially for collectors of high-quality video game “OST’s.”
The game was created by Game Republic under the supervision of Yoshiki Okamoto, whose game development credits include “Resident Evil”, “Street Fighter II”, and “Final Fight.” Critically well-received, but commercially somewhat stale, Folklore has managed to sell about 250,000 copies worldwide, falling short of the expectations of publisher, Sony Computer Entertainment.
While Folklore did not live up to the expectations of Sony, I certainly lived up to mine.
All in all, Folklore is a fantastic game, and well worth the 10-15 dollar price tag. Head on down to your local retro game retailer (Bookmans, Gamestop, Fallout Games etc.), and treat yourself to Sony’s best offering to the gaming scene since Legend of Dragoon!
Stay Tuned for MOAR REVIEWS!