While the game can be completed without ever visiting large swathes of the map, most players strive to do so anyway such is the sense of discovery and awe that Elden Ring invokes. Developer FromSoftware managed to ensure the game's huge map, known as The Lands Between, was packed to the brim, full of memorable encounters, unique and original areas, and secrets hiding in every corner. RELATED: How Final Fantasy 15's DNA Bleeds into Forspoken Forspoken's Open-World of Athia is Mostly ForgettableĪn open-world game usually lives or dies by how detailed and memorable its world is, and in this regard, 2022's Game of the Year Elden Ring set a new bar for open-world RPGs. However, it hasn't quite worked out that way, and while Athia is not without its charm, it does little to inspire gamers to explore every nook and cranny the map has to offer. Whisking a down-on-her-luck orphan who constantly finds herself on the wrong side of the law away from her home in New York and into a huge, mystical land full of magic and discovery has all the makings of an engaging narrative experience that should encourage gamers to explore its world. On paper, Forspoken's world of Athia seems perfect for a video game. Perhaps one of the most troubling elements of Forspoken, though, is the barren and unremarkable open world of Athia, which serves as a stark reminder that size isn't everything in game design.

Criticism has been aimed at major aspects including the dialogue, which is often cringe-inducing, to the combat mechanics which can feel unbalanced and chaotic.

Following several high-profile delays, the action RPG Forspoken's eventual January 2023 release has been met with a generally lukewarm reception from critics and players.

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