Reaching Out

I wanted to take time out to share my thoughts on what it would take to bring a certain game up a few notches. A while ago I downloaded the demo for Folklore on PSN. I thought it was interesting how you absorb enemies and then use them against others. I really liked the art direction and the use of the sixaxis controls. They were only used to yank up the characters IDs (or their essences so to speak) or to beat them down a bit if they struggled. I knew it was a title I was interested in picking up, but I couldn't go out and buy it right away. Me being the type of gamer I am, kept buying other games because they were a cheaper than $60 and got good reviews. That logic goes out the window after you buy a couple titles, but that's beside the point.

When I finally got around to picking up Folklore, I ended up paying about $21 for it. Thanks GameStop coupon! I popped it in and prepared myself for an epic adventure unlike any I've played in a while. It's been almost 3 months later, and I haven't beat it yet. Granted GTA consumed my life like it did many others, but even after finishing GTA's main story, Folklore was next on my list of games to beat. Sad as it is saying this, I just can't find the motivation to finish it. I think I'm in the final realm, but it feels like it's lacking.

The first problem is lack of voice work. There are a few cut scenes in the game where the actors did a decent job of portraying the characters. The rest of the time we have to read through a comic strip like dialog tree. I play a lot of RPG's so reading is not a deal breaker for me. But with a story that's so full of dread and mystery like this one is, I feel that constant voice work is essential to convey emotion. This is even more important given the fact that Folklore lacks action outside the realms themselves. In the real world, you're reduced to running and talking. Sure there are quests available in game as well as on PSN, but that does little to save it.

The items you collect are only used to upgrade the creatures you capture. There are a lot of them mind you. Unless you're fully dedicated to upgrading each one, you may find yourself sticking to the same ones over and over again.

I'm not sure how it ends, so I don't know if a sequel has been set up or not. If there is though, I think a more open experience dealing with different towns and situations would be beneficial to this game. That and voice work all the time. With this generation of consoles, there's no excuse to not have this. So in conclusion, I like Folklore despite my complaints. It's highly original and has potential to make future titles. I hope for the best for both the game, and its Netherworld inhabitants.