Gamernode: Reviews - Folklore

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• Folklore
• PlayStation 3
• Game Republic
• SCEA
• October 09th, 2007

And now that we've covered the basics of the gameplay (which a lot of people always want to know about) back to what makes Folklore great: the story and presentation. During gameplay, you're introduced and told the story in a variety of ways: cinematics, in-game talking, and comic-styled cutscenes.
 

The cinematics are good, but there's just something about the voice acting which seems a bit off. Maybe it's that I kept wishing Keats sounded like Jeff Goldblum, or maybe it's just that the voice acting wasn't that fantastic. Either way, the story it tells more than makes up for it.
 

The best portions of the story are unvealed during the comic-styled cutscenes. If you've seen Broken Saints or any number of Broken Saints copycats, you'll feel right at home. It presents itself like a comic book, and using different sized fonts, animations, colors, and all that gets across the emotions and everything without sound. Unfortunately, it's not like the new Broken Saints DVDs and there's no voiceacting in the scenes... Then again, maybe that's for the best.

Folklore's world and art design is the other point where it really shines. If you love games that look fantastic, and if you love unique art that's unlike anything you've seen yet strangely familiar, you'll love the visuals in Folklore. The incredible amount of folks all look cool, the Netherworld looks fantastical and Doolin looks like any number of small towns in that neck of the world, and the comic cutscenes have great presentation. Combined with the nice score, the game just works. Unfortunately, the visuals and story are so compelling it's near the top of the list of new games which may be optioned into a movie... Let's hope it isn't.
 

Of course, I can understand completely if people don't like this game. The story is linear despite taunting you with adventure-like abilities, the combat can be repetitive at times, and essentially replaying every chapter twice (once for Ellen, once for Keats) with only different perspectives on the story may not be your cup of tea. It's definitely an acquired taste, but if you love the quirky adventure RPG titles, like good story telling that's not cliché ridden, or want something new, give Folklore a shot. Otherwise, look elsewhere for your adrenaline-pumping shootfest.

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