Two Years Later, Forspoken Still Feels Like One Of The Worst-Written Games Ever

I didn’t want this to turn into a hate piece initially, but then I decided to give Forspoken another go. No more than five minutes into it all, I rediscovered my exact feelings when I played the action-adventure on launch, contemplating what type of effort it could’ve taken to make the writing of the game just a little bit better than what it really is. 

Also, I was a bit late to try the title at the time of its release. I genuinely thought the hate toward Forspoken was overblown and exaggerated for some reason, but then I got to play it myself. Oh, what a rollercoaster of emotions that keeps on going downhill for the most part. Calling it half-witted, half-baked, and immature would be a thorough understatement. 

My Forspoken Review
by ingaming

Immature Writing That Sullies The Entire Experience

I just wanted to point out some DNA-level issues here that stick out like a sore thumb when it comes to Forspoken. There’s dialogue in there that shouldn’t be there, the words coming out of Frey’s mouth are akin to a hormonal teenager coming into puberty, and while she is young — to be fair — it goes without saying that the writing could’ve been kept a bit more reserved and collected despite Frey’s age.

That was the issue since day one. It feels like it was written by a 20 year old who thinks they’re a genius,” says one u/GullibleCheeks844on Reddit.

eXputer even put together a video on Forspoken last year, going over what is inarguably the game’s biggest problem. Frey could really use a shut-up call sometimes along the mainline campaign.  

And I’m not even sure where it all fell off, really. Forspoken’s writers are a duo of pedigreed game writers, including Amy Hennig from the Uncharted franchise (look how beautiful that is) and Gary Whitta who co-wrote Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. I don’t have to tell you how these two IPs are receiving for their story delivery.

Whether it was the team lead not cohesively putting together the vision for this game or the writers not feeling it on those days, it’s a tragedy how horrible Forspoken is in this regard. I mean, I genuinely don’t understand the logic behind the apartment-catching fire sequence. Frey literally walks past her bag of money, filled with thousands of dollars that she had been saving to leave the city. 

The darn bag’s even got a strap that Frey could easily use to wear using one hand, and then go on to rescue the feline, but no. Approaching the bag even makes a prompt appear, to which she replies with, “Gotta find Homer first.” Sure thing. It’s just hard to believe that this character is rational in any way, shape, or form from here on out. 

It’s A Shame Because The Open-World Traversal Is Remarkable

If you somehow hassle past the absolutely cringe-fest that Forspoken’s writing is, you’ll actually come to realize how fluid the game’s parkour and gameplay can be. Its traversal is something I can get behind even today, as it does a great job of masking how shallow the action-adventure’s open world is. Couple that with gameplay that often clicks, and you’ve got a half-decent game here. 

Related Content to Check Out:

• Final Fantasy 16 Director Says Team Learned From Forspoken To Perfect The Game’s PC Port
• Forspoken Receives A PS Store Discount Just Two Months Into Release
• Luminous Productions To Be Merged With Square Enix After Forspoken Debacle

The moment-to-moment combat along with the magic parkour are the only two factors that allow this game to stand on its own. That said, you will still need to stick around until Frey’s upgrades and skills are at a good level. Before that, leveling up could feel like a slog. 

The Perfect Excuse To Give Forspoken A Go

I forgot to tell you earlier: The only reason I came back to Forspoken after all this time was because of PlayStation putting it on the Premium and Extra tiers of PS+. Me having bought the game already was strongly reminded that there’s this too sitting in my backlog and perhaps almost two years later, it’s not going to be as bad? I haven’t been more wrong in the last six months. 

Anyhow, if you’d like to experience how a title brimming with potential could be laid to waste, I recommend you check the game out in case you happen to be a PS+ subscriber as well. Can’t say you won’t regret it, because you will, but what the hell.