The journey into the dark and enigmatic world of The Last Faith begins with promise, as it joins the ranks of the “Fine, we’ll make our own Bloodborne for PC” subgenre. This new dark fantasy game entices players with the prospect of spending their hard-earned experience points and tackling a series of formidable bosses, all while navigating a narrative steeped in mystery and bloodshed.
(Image: © Kumi Souls Games)
Game Overview
The Last Faith is an action-packed entry into the metroidvania genre, drawing inspiration from the likes of Bloodborne and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. Released on November 15, 2023, the game is developed by Kumi Souls Games and published by Playstack. It’s set in a dark fantasy universe where players navigate through a series of challenges and boss fights, all while unraveling the game’s lore.
- Genre: Action/Metroidvania
- Initial Impressions: A visually stunning game with a gothic atmosphere, though it borrows heavily from its predecessors.
- Key Features:
- Dark fantasy theme
- Challenging boss encounters
- XP-based progression system
- Gothic pixel art visuals
Visuals and Atmosphere
The pixel art of The Last Faith is a standout feature, with its lush gothic atmosphere that could be the envy of Morticia Addams herself. The game’s environments are meticulously crafted, featuring forgotten cemeteries and flickering candles that contribute to the overall melancholic mood.
While the visuals are a high point, offering a feast for the eyes with every scene, they are not without their drawbacks. The game’s reliance on familiar gothic tropes at times feels less innovative and more like a reiteration of established aesthetics found in older, classic games.
Gameplay Mechanics
The gameplay mechanics of The Last Faith are reminiscent of classic metroidvania titles, with a focus on combat and exploration. Players control the protagonist, Eryk, who is equipped with a variety of abilities and weapons to navigate through the game’s challenging environments.
Combat is a central element, with a dodge roll mechanic and a parry system that requires precise timing. The game also introduces a unique feature where healing injections are provided near boss areas to aid players after defeat, reducing the need for repetitive farming.
Exploration is encouraged, with hidden areas and secret items to discover. However, the game’s logic can sometimes be unpredictable, leading to unexpected deaths and frustration.
| Feature | Comparison |
|---|---|
| Combat | Similar to Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, with added mechanics from Bloodborne |
| Exploration | Metroidvania-style with unique twists and challenges |
Story and Narrative
The storytelling approach of The Last Faith takes cues from its predecessors, particularly Bloodborne, with a narrative that unfolds through interactions with NPCs and item descriptions. However, the game’s story often seems to mimic the style of its inspirations without fully developing its own voice.
The dialogue and lore are steeped in quasi-Catholic grandiloquence and Lovecraftian mysticism, but at times it feels as though these elements are included more for genre conformity than genuine world-building. This can leave players feeling detached from the game’s narrative, as the reasons behind the characters’ speech and the lore’s intricacies are not always convincingly portrayed.
Despite these criticisms, the game does attempt to carve out its own identity within the crowded field of dark fantasy games. Whether it succeeds in creating an engaging and original story is a matter left to the interpretation of its audience.
Challenges and Frustrations
Players of The Last Faith may encounter various challenges and frustrations throughout their journey. Inconsistencies in enemy behavior and attack patterns can lead to unexpected and often unfair deaths, detracting from the overall experience.
Some enemies are invisible until almost the point of attack, while others are strategically placed to increase difficulty, sometimes feeling more punitive than challenging. The game’s ranged attacks are particularly inconsistent; some projectiles can pass through scenery while others cannot, and there’s no clear indication of which mechanics will apply in a given situation.
Exploration, while a key aspect of the game, can also be a source of frustration. Essential items may appear in shops without notice, and leaps into the unknown can result in death from bottomless pits or instant-kill spikes, with the game’s logic feeling arbitrary at times.
These design choices can lead to a sense of soul-crushing repetition and diminish the sense of accomplishment that comes from overcoming difficult obstacles.
In conclusion, The Last Faith offers a visually stunning and atmospheric journey through a dark fantasy world. While it boasts beautiful pixel art and has moments of engaging gameplay, it is somewhat marred by its derivative nature and frustrating design choices. The game’s attempt to emulate successful titles like Bloodborne is evident, but it struggles to find its own identity and deliver a consistently enjoyable experience.
The overall experience of playing The Last Faith is a mixed bag; it is a game that will likely appeal to fans of the genre looking for a familiar challenge, but may disappoint those in search of innovation. With a score of 60, it is a beautiful but inconsistent homage to older, better games.
