Folklore Review
- Posted October 29th, 2007 at 06:10 EDT by
- 21 Comments
Review Score
- PSU Review Score
- 9.0
- Avg. user review score:
- 8.8
Summary
Folklore delves players into a world where the living meet the dead. Through its fantastic art direction and amazing storyline, Folklore entices the player to journey through the Netherworld in search of the answers to their mystery and leads them on an unforgettable ride into something truly reminiscent of a Hiyao Miyazaki film.
We like
- Amazing art direction
- Brilliant, poetic style
- Undeniably tasty execution
We dislike
- Limited dungeon editor
See PSU's review on Metacritic & GameRankings
The connection between the Netherworld and the current world was lost many ages ago, but as you step across a suspicious crime scene where murder is in the air, you discover that the world of the Folks isn’t what it always was. With each step, comes a newer piece of the puzzle through the form of lands and different characters that are unlike any other. Each step leads you further and further into the magical world of Folklore—a world in which you are graced with feelings that you have never felt before.
Step into a vibrant world where the facet of mystery covers the truth of Doolin village, a place to which 2 unsuspecting travelers from the outer realm visit to fulfill their own calling where the living meets the dead. Folklore challenges players with a mystery to solve in a town encapsulated with mystery. To meet this, players must journey throughout the Netherworld and attain clues that unravel the story of a 17-year-old feud---where families were left in duress and in bitter pain for their existence.
The adventure begins with our unsuspecting travelers Ellen and Keats. Ellen is a gentle and kind woman who had lost her mother in the earlier memories of her childhood. To her surprise, at the start of the game, she receives a letter from someone. Okay well not just anyone---her deceased mother. Unbelievably surprised, she embarks on a mission to find her mother and make sense of everything that has happened to her.
Clouded in the same confusion is our male protagonist Keats, an editor of an occult magazine “Unknown Realms.” While shooting darts in his office, Keats receives a hovelled phone call. A woman speaks frighteningly of a place called Doolin village, faerys, and begs for help before being cut off. As the clever chap Keats is, he leaves his office in search for a remarkable story as his main motif—not so much his kind sense of charity.
The primary gameplay style is amazingly varied in Folklore. Even though the player will be playing as only these two characters throughout the journey, they will be given the option of who they want to be for each chapter. Even though each of these characters embarks on his/her own chapter, the ending will merge the stories of these individuals so the game blends in perfect harmony. The best way to approach the gameplay and overall concept would be to alternate between the missions, even though the decision is primarily up to the players. As players continue through each of the stories, they gain a blissful sense of catharsis as the respective stories affect each other.
Even though the world of Folklore isn’t as big as some other games boast, the pure elements of mystery, excitement, action, and adventure speak volumes and go far beyond other games. It’s just one big village, but one heck of a village in terms of its quality. Exploration as a primary quality is executed by exploring the many realms of the Netherworld, which are connected to the village at all times in unique ways. Doolin village can primarily be seen as the main gate to several other gates, each with its own unique setting. With every chapter, come amazing dialogue and a further look into a story, which contributes, to the overall concept of Folklore’s primary storyline.
Folklore’s primary execution in its subtleties is by far the most unimaginable. The poetic emphasis in the gameplay mechanics and the game itself go unnoticed but have an amazing effect on the overall presentation. The real world and Netherworld are two opposing forces that are rooted into its connection with Doolin village. The real world is very dull, grey, and melancholy whereas the Netherworld is vivid, vibrant, and alive---a place where battle is glorious and a sense of fulfillment are unchallenged.
The poetic subtlety is implemented in the very fact that the living world is grey, melancholy, and boring whereas the Netherworld---a place which is known for the dead, is colorful and full of life unlike any other. Such a balance is not seen in any other game nor is such a depth in the storyline ever so vivid.
The interface of Folklore is very ... (continued on next page)
Comments
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Clarky-132 |
clarky-132- 6:22am GMT - October 29th, 2007
- 1
I'm still unsure if I should get this game, I do like RPG's and Its also based In my country of Ireland...but still not sure..?
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MrGunhappy
- 8:21am GMT - October 29th, 2007
- 2
Man i hate to say,but again another review is strongly biased. I wish they would switch they gaming scales to .1 intervals, and start giving more accurate rating, sorry PSU, you're the best gaming website for playstation, but its really annoying me. I think it should have been an 7.5 to an 8.5.
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djrussell |
djrussell89- 8:21am GMT - October 29th, 2007
- 3
I highly recommend this game! It truely is a hidden treasure (overlooked by some of the more hyped releases this month) and I think everyone should pick this one up. In fact I pray for a sequel (now that'd rock). The only thing IMO that lets this game down is some of the voice acting. The main characters are exceptional in this regard, but when it comes to some of the 'additional characters' (like the sea captain at the beginning) it blows big time. But overall I'd give this game a 9.5/10 - so i'm happy to see PSU give it the credit it deserves :) Cheers
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Untildeath89 |
willmakenewonesoon- 12:15pm GMT - October 29th, 2007
- 7
"Man i hate to say,but again another review is strongly biased. I wish they would switch they gaming scales to .1 intervals, and start giving more accurate rating, sorry PSU, you're the best gaming website for playstation, but its really annoying me. I think it should have been an 7.5 to an 8.5."
the story of the game the artistic way of the game the gameplay it self is all new and amazing for what reason would you give it 7.5-8.5?
you know i think no fps deservs 9 just b/c of the online, gaming isnt all about killing its about story but yet u see bad campaign and good online and getting from 5 to 9, any game that is able to create something 100% new and new gameplay and land and story deservs more then 8.5 the only way it could get that is if was buggs and so on, have u even played the game? baised is when people give it something it didnt deserv but your saying it based on the face that they didnt give it 90,01?
when i first tryed fps i hated it simply hated it felt like arcade move the gun and shoot game that was it for me years later i started liking spy games and hitman and it kicked me back to fps, anyone cant be rpg fan, if your not exited about the story return it and just jump over it, the only reason i bought ps3 is b/c i get to play rpg, fps isnt really console thing but spy games are and driving etc, for me rpg is the nr 1 and if its not for you then you shouldnt be the one criticizing it.
anyway great game.
you guys are like those 360s that say mgs had too many scenes and you jut dont realize it.
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jackdoublej
- 12:39pm GMT - October 29th, 2007
- 9
I havent played the game and would quite like to pick it up but...
Does every ps3 game have to get an 8.5 to 9 on here? ive never seen a critical review yet and it kind of erodes the credibility of a 9.0 score. Not that Im saying this game shouldnt get a 9, just that it seems a lot of games get fantastic reviews on what's, lets face it, is a ps3 fansite.
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Amoebalove |
amoebalove - 1:39pm GMT - October 29th, 2007
- 10
well at least he didn't try and tell us its the best RPG to date on any console!!!! ha ha!!
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djrussell |
djrussell89- 7:39pm GMT - October 29th, 2007
- 11
Its not exactly an RPG.. its more action/adventure with RPG elements. And here's the catch with this game: you either like it or you dont. Its one of those. For those of us into gothic sort of horror environments with a solid story and fantasy elements then this game is a blessing. If your not into that then you may find the game a little TOO outthere, and boring for your taste. But its easily one of my all time favourite games.. absolutely beautiful graphics and as I said before - if they make a sequel I'd be all over it like white on rice.
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trionghost |
trionghost- 1:33am GMT - October 30th, 2007
- 12
My rating is 9... Becouse I love this game :) I strongly recommende this game to anyone! 2 djrussell *agreed* ;)
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motzo
- 3:55am GMT - October 30th, 2007
- 14
I COULD NOT stop playing this game YOU HAVE TO READ THE SUBTITLES AND WATCH THE CUTSCENES the story is what this game is all about its like watching a movie you dont turn it off half way though watch it later fortunalty i manged to or i woudl have finshed this game with out stopping. Not only did i love the story so much but the creatures especialy the bargest and the mini bargest thigns and also the clock creature i feel are my favorite style of monster in any game. The "Halflives" in the pub and the feeling of it remind me of kingdom hearts. 1 thing that stood out to me to is that i wanted to keep goging back to the nether world BECUASE IT IS SO MUCH MORE BRIGHT AND LOVING THEN THE REAL WORLD THIS IS EASPELCILY APPARENT IN THE PUB. you can relly see why the young girl the duaghter of the pub land lord ( who i am sad to say i belive has the same same charecter modle as cecial which kind of killed the realisum a lil) vist the netherworld eveyr night somethign i found out when tlaking to a two headed tin man in the warmth of the pub at night time. THIS GAME IS SO BRILLIAN small but brilliant. it woudl proably have been hard to keep such depth to the story if they had enlarged it any more and i think that they did this perfectly. i almost never bought this gaem i had played the dmeo a few times but that dosent give it justice i am SO GLAD I BOUGHT IT
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darkaznmonkey
- 9:37pm GMT - October 30th, 2007
- 17
i think this is one of those games u have to love or hate
ive seen a lot of positive and negative reviews
people will harp on some of the strangest things thou >.>
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Deldwen |
Deldwen1- 10:25pm GMT - November 1st, 2007
- 19
psu dosent rate crappy games thats y
this game is very artistic and you all are like lil kids "get to the super powerranger action waahh waaah!" wow have you all forgoting games as an art form made to take you to different places?
w.e i love this game we finally get an original game on ps3 like every ones been asking for.. so then they all start bi*ching about it.....? mmkay wow
folklore is an amazing escape people =]
(btw i really have no clue ow u guys play "final fantasy" if u dont like story and dialoge..)
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supamariobrotha |
supamariobrotha- 5:41pm BST - July 24th, 2008
- 21
i only played the demo for about 5 minutes at the local gamestop but from what i saw it looks like a solid game with nice graphics and interactive gameplay.
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