Forspoken was one of the first games shown off when the PS5 was revealed. After many delays, the game was finally released in 2023. It is an impressive title that takes gamers to the magical world of Athia where players must battle against corrupted creatures and the evil Tantas to help Frey find her way back home. Despite all the positive elements of Forspoken, it has failed to meet Square Enix's expectations, which could prevent it from spawning a larger franchise. This is a pity, as Forspoken is not a bad title.
However, it's not uncommon to feel like the game would have been better off as a smaller AA title. Although triple-A games get the most attention, they can be hard to pull off. This was seen with Forspoken, which is very ambitious but struggles to adequately fill out the vast open world of Athia and flesh out its magical combat. The game may have been more successful if it was an AA title with a smaller scope and a lower price tag.
Forspoken Struggled to Meet Square Enix's Expectations
Forspoken is developed by Luminous Productions, which is a team composed of many of the same developers who worked on Final Fantasy 15. Before the game's release, it was anticipated for many reasons. Trailers illustrated that the game would have stunning visuals, and it also had notable figures like Bear McCreary and Amy Hennig attached to it.
However, as the release date drew nearer, signs of trouble started brewing. Players complained that the dialogue sounded quite stereotyped, causing some to dislike Frey Holland, the protagonist. When the demo was released, gamers also found that the combat was bland yet, and the open world was vast but depressingly empty.
Though these flaws are notable, they do not make Forspoken a game worth writing off. It still packs a great story, and the Tantas provide satisfyingly intense boss battles. However, with a $70 price tag at launch, the flaws were a deal-breaker for many gamers. This is reflected by the game's sales, as Square Enix has described Forspoken's launch numbers as lackluster. This may not be entirely attributable to the game's quality, and it could be a product of the game aiming for the wrong market.
Forspoken May Have Been Too Ambitious
Forspoken's fate is unfortunate, especially because things did not have to turn out this way. Forspoken is a great game, but it is hard to deny that it does feel unnecessarily bloated at times. Triple-A games tend to get the most attention, and developers often feel compelled to make games that abide by this label. However, smaller titles with shorter play times, smaller maps, and more linear experiences also have their place. Such games are less costly to develop, making them less risky for studios.
Furthermore, if they are sold with lower price tags, gamers may be more willing to gamble with games that test new ideas. If Forspoken were stripped of its vast, empty open-world, given a more streamlined magic system, and sold at $40, it could have been one of the most successful titles of the year.
Though Forspoken may have been a disappointment for Square Enix, the company still has a chance to recover, as there are two Final Fantasy games scheduled for this year. Unlike Forspoken, Final Fantasy is a well-established series, so it is far less likely to fall below expectations. Frey's debut may have not gone to plan, but things could be saved if future titles from the IP decide to size things down.
Forspoken is available now on PC and PS5.
