Launching on consoles after its initial PC release, Bleak Faith: Forsaken continues to show the ambitious vision of its three-person development team. The game, characterized by its steampunk and gothic aesthetic, presents intriguing exploration opportunities but struggles with significant technical flaws. Despite several updates and patches, the game remains plagued by janky controls and a frustrating user interface, leading to a mixed reception among players.
When compared to earlier coverage, the issues have been consistent, with players and reviewers pointing out the same control and camera problems. The atmosphere and world design have been a constant highlight, but the game’s combat mechanics and technical performance remain problematic. Previous reviews also noted the lack of polish, suggesting that while updates have improved some aspects, core issues persist.
Persistent Technical Challenges
The developers of Bleak Faith: Forsaken have addressed initial criticisms through several updates, yet the game still suffers from numerous technical issues. The controls feel floaty, the lock-on mechanism is unreliable, and the camera can be disorienting. These problems significantly affect the gameplay experience, particularly during combat, where precision is crucial.
Art and Exploration Shine
Despite its flaws, the game excels in art and exploration. The world design is visually compelling, reminiscent of titles like Bloodborne and Shadow of the Colossus. The interconnected world structure and the aesthetic are major strengths, offering players a visually rich environment to explore. However, these positive aspects are often overshadowed by the game’s technical shortcomings.
The world design and the resultant atmosphere really does do most of the heavy lifting here.
Combat in Bleak Faith: Forsaken attempts to introduce unique elements, such as a combo system with buffs and penalties. However, these innovations are undermined by the game’s mechanical issues. The sluggish controls and problematic camera make it difficult to enjoy these features, leading to a frustrating gameplay experience, especially during boss fights.
The console release of Bleak Faith: Forsaken does not leverage the advanced capabilities of new-generation hardware. Although the game includes fine haptic feedback on the PlayStation 5 DualSense controller, it lacks graphical modes and suffers from frame rate drops and pop-in issues. These technical limitations further detract from the overall experience.
Ultimately, while Bleak Faith: Forsaken offers a visually stunning and atmospherically rich world, its gameplay is marred by technical difficulties. The game’s exploration aspects are its strongest features, but combat and narrative elements fall short due to poor execution. Fans of the genre may find value in the game’s artistic design and exploration, but those new to the genre or seeking a well-rounded experience might be better served by other titles.
