 Review By: Andrew Joy |
Developer: | Game Republic |
| Publisher: | SCEA | |
| Genre: | Adventure | |
| ESRB: | Teen | |
| # Of Players: | 1 | |
| Online Play: | No | |
| Accessories: | PlayStation Network (DLC), HDTV 720p | |
| Buy Now: |   |
For the most part, Folklore’s controls are fairly standard and uncomplicated. The left stick moves your character, the right your camera (though it often seems to be in a locked position), and start and select pause the game and open up your menu and status screens. You’ll assign folk to the four main face buttons (circle, triangle, square and X) and tap them to summon and use the creatures’ attacks. By attacking enough creatures, Keats gains the ability to “transcend,” or become stronger and faster than before for a short time, which you can do by clicking both L3 and R3 (the analog sticks) at the same time (Ellen, on the other hand, can swap out magical cloaks in the menu). L1 is used to lock-on to an enemy, L2 can switch targets and R2 can dodge an enemy’s attack. When you whittle down an opponent enough, you’ll eventually see their soul drift out of their body, at which point you hold R1 to tear it free. Sometimes this is quick and easy, but other times you might have to engage in prolonged, motion-based wrestling matches with the controller in order to rip it away. While motion controls have been somewhat lackluster on the PS3 thus far, it actually feels quite natural and, dare I say, even fun in Folklore. Not having any sort of feedback from the controller during those moments was rather disappointing, but since this game is reportedly already compatible, Folklore will be ready once the DualShock 3 arrives on our shores!
While it is nice to see a developer properly handle motion control, not going hog-wild with it or ignoring the SIXAXIS completely, Folklore also makes good use of the rest of the PlayStation 3’s power. While I’m sure it hasn’t tapped into the full extent of what the system has to offer, this is an incredibly good looking game. In-game, the character models are lively (even being so nuanced as to include little details, like putting their hands in their pockets) and the environments detailed (making you think these fantasy realms go on forever, though it is more an illusion, like you find with the narrow “halls” of Monster Hunter), making the simple act of playing the game a visual feast throughout, and not one of those titles where you have to wait for just the cutscenes to get your eye candy. However, when you do reach a proper cutscene, the effect is so amazing and the artistry unrivaled that I’ve no choice but to stop and give kudos to the developer. Now, I say “proper” because the game’s use of full cutscenes, complete with video and voice work is somewhat limited. Instead, the game prefers to rely more on comic or storybook-like panels and text to convey most of the story. Unfortunately, the voice work is of such high quality that it seems almost a crime not to take advantage of it. However, the style they did choose to work with has its own charms. There isn’t much to say in the way of in-game sound effects, though Folklore features a spectacular soundtrack – one, in my opinion, very reminiscent of Cowboy Bebop – which only serves to further underscore (no pun intended) the game’s consistently high quality.
Depending on what genre you consider Folklore to be in, the game’s playtime could either be very rewarding or severely lacking. From an action or adventure perspective, the 15 to 20 hours (depending on how much you lollygag) it takes to complete the game may not be exceptional, but it is actually fairly decent. However, if you are considering the RPG aspects, it does indeed fall horribly short in comparison to, say, anything in the Elder Scrolls series, where you could spend days just completing side quests. Since the game is unfortunately, but understandably (given the occasionally diverging storylines) lacking any sort of multiplayer, the playtime is given no augmentation, and the evaluation no leeway. All hope is not lost, however, as the downloadable content that has so readily been available in Japan and Europe is at long last making its way to the North American PlayStation Store. A variety of different packages are available, adding everything from extra costumes and folks to side quests for the main game. Sadly, these do suffer the disadvantage of having to be purchased (most of the time anyway) and, as such, this supplemental content won’t be factored in to our score; but, for those of you wondering what sort of shelf life Folklore will have, you now have some idea.
Bottom Line:
Folklore is a game that comes so close to perfection and yet falls short that it irritates me. It may seem strange, but I’m more inclined to forgive the endless stream of ports and quick cash-ins I’ve had to wade through for their faults then I am here. If Game Republic and Sony had just put in the extra time, effort and, no doubt, money to include fully voiced and animated cutscenes throughout, or even added some sort of multiplayer (if not co-op, then at least folk battles a la Pokémon), I would have been hard-pressed not to give it a perfect score. As it is, Folklore offers an excellent story with equally brilliant presentation (what isn’t voiced and animated has a storybook flair), though it is hindered by a slightly repetitive feeling (playing practically every level twice, just from different perspectives) and an annoying, often fixed camera that makes it easy to get turned around (meaning you’ll retread ground you’re probably already retreading). Beyond that, however, Folklore is, by far, one of the better games available on the PS3, and it still manages to rank fairly high among those from other consoles, as well.
| Pros: | Cons: | Final Score: |
|---|---|---|
|
| 9.0 |
Posted: 2008-01-28 13:28:03 PST