Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, PlayStation 4 · See more
Initial release date: March 7, 2024
Engine: Unity
Developers: Just2D, Just2D GmbH
Genres: Role-playing video game, Indie game, Adventure game, Shooter game, Fighting game, Adventure
Publishers: Deck13, Just2D GmbH
Hearing Drova: Forsaken Kin advertised as a “Gothic-inspired pixel art RPG” made me doubt how well such principles would translate to a top-down adventure game, but the finished result left me quietly impressed.
Drova nails the Gothic ambiance in a variety of ways, most notably by providing you with a relatively confined but surprisingly rich world to explore while refusing to guide you through any of it. And by “compact” globe, I don’t mean little. I simply mean that it is not procedural and is not intended to continue indefinitely. You will return to many regions several times, and your actions will have an impact on the planet and the people who inhabit it.
It is set in a vaguely Celtic-slash-Slavic land where every day is a struggle. After witnessing the druids in your town slip away with a mysterious red crystal, you decide to become the protagonist and follow them into the deep, dark forests. When things go wrong, you are entrusted with the crystal and stranded in the dark, mysterious region of Drova. You can return home by just taking the crystal to the city of Nemeton. Maybe.
Unfortunately, Drova: Forsaken Kin displays the old school colors in a variety of ways. The most notable of these is the lack of signage. Your map is intentionally sloppy, and if you wish to mark locations or areas of interest, you’ll need to buy ink from a merchant. To some extent, the main narrative is adjustable, as the actions you do and objectives you accomplish for the various factions (and once you start down a road, you’re stuck) may subtly alter how NPCs react to you and what you’ll encounter in particular regions. Like Gothic, you’ll need to find special NPCs to teach you new skills and powers, and having the wrong faction standing can make that difficult.
Drova doesn’t waste real estate. If you can go somewhere, there is probably a purpose to go there. Corpses, boxes, sacks, and miscellaneous stuff on the ground provide ample cause to explore Drova. With a sophisticated crafting system, you’ll want to save everything, including meat and berries that may be cooked over a campfire.
The majority of skills and XP are closely related to fighting. As you level up and use specific weapons more frequently, you’ll develop competence with them and unlock new abilities. Most talents, such as spells, have a meter that must be filled by attacking foes, but others have a cooldown. Ranged weapons, such as bows, require you to “pull back” the string to align two lines before releasing to strike a target.
Melee is more straightforward, but not easy. Enemies strike hard, and because you may freely switch between two different weapon loadouts, it pays to be prepared for any situation. Enemies do not show levels, thus you won’t know if anything is much higher than you until it picks you out of its teeth. It’s also heavily reliant on timing, since you have a dodge roll to avoid damage but must time your punches with your opponent. Combat feels substantial and responsive, but it’s quite tough. Thankfully, you will not be greatly punished for losses because you will just resurrect at the last safe area.
Despite having no spoken dialogue outside of the introduction and a rather rudimentary character creator, Drova: Forsaken Kin is brimming with atmosphere. The dreary, grimdark pixel visuals, haunting music, and overall impression of being completely alone in a dangerous world combine to produce a remarkable RPG experience that feels both modern and reminiscent of old games such as the aforementioned Gothic.
The lack of maps and quest markers may be a deal-breaker for some (I admit I missed them at times), but it only encourages you to take your time and absorb it all in. On the surface, some of the systems appear fairly primitive, but you get what you pay for in terms of how much you invest in the ecosystem. Drova: Forsaken Kin lasts between 30 and 40 hours, depending on how much you want to explore and find. It’s a rich experience that feels pleasurable whether you play for an hour or five.
Review Overview
Gameplay: 82%
Controls: 79%
Aesthetics: 88%
Content: 81%
Accessibility: 76%
Value: 84%
Overall: 82%
VERY GOOD
Summary: “Drova: Forsaken Kin” is a captivating RPG experience that mixes furious action, profound mythology, and a hauntingly atmospheric setting. The game’s visuals are its major feature, with gloomy, beautifully drawn settings that immerse players in a world of mystery. Combat is entertaining but may be difficult for newbies, and while the game’s content is extensive, there are times when the gameplay feels repetitive. Overall, “Drova: Forsaken Kin” is an excellent pick for RPG players who appreciate a blend of dark fantasy and hard gameplay, providing a gratifying, although occasionally daunting, adventure.