Drova: Forsaken Kin Review (PS5)

So, I just wrapped up Drova: Forsaken Kin on PlayStation 5, and yeah, we need to talk about this one. This isn’t your classic “follow the glowing marker and save the world” kind of RPG. Nope. You’re practically yanked by the collar and, with a sly “Good luck”, thrown into a dark, unfriendly forest where everything is sizing you up as potential lunch.

First up, I’d heard it called “Gothic in 2D,” and that’s honestly spot on. If you’ve braved the rugged worlds of Morrowind or Gothic, Drova will feel like home. If your version of “home” includes tormented lands, shifty characters, and forest creatures with a lot of attitude.

There’s no hand-holding here. Forget neatly labelled quest markers. You’ll be piecing it all together yourself. The game insists you stick to the paths, and if you want to live, that’s probably good advice. Let your curiosity get the better of you, though, and you’ll likely end up as dinner for one of Drova’s many lurking horrors. Top tip: work on your best Forrest Gump impression and run.

Combat’s where things get really interesting. This isn’t a button masher. Drova’s combat flows, and it expects you to get into the rhythm. There’s a solid range of weapons and magic, but mindlessly charging in will just get you killed. You’ll need to time your moves, dodge with purpose, and actually pay attention to your surroundings. And with no level-scaling to bail you out, you’d better pick your fights wisely. The dialogues and environmental hints are there for a reason. Listen carefully.

In these lands, everyone’s ready to rob or fight you, and if you’re unprepared, it’s ridiculously easy to end up in a situation you’ll regret. But when you finally manage to bring down something that could’ve ended you? Oh, so satisfying. Plus, your choices echo through the story. Align yourself with one of two factions (Remnants or Nemeton), and watch as they shape how the world treats you and maybe even remembers you.

Now, I’ll admit, pixel art doesn’t immediately scream “epic fantasy.” It didn’t do it for me at first, either. But Drova’s style grew on me. It’s dark and gritty, and the palette pulls you right into its Celtic-inspired world. There are no loading screens, so you can wander into murky swamps and gloomy towns without interruption. It’s almost beautiful in that “I’m glad this isn’t real” sort of way.

Sound-wise, the game knows how to set a mood. The ambient music is effective, and the occasional grunts and murmurs from the characters are pretty funny. Drova doesn’t take itself too seriously, and those little bits of humour keep it entertaining, even when you’re staring down something with a serious hunger for adventurers.

The story has a few twists up its sleeve, too. There’s a shift that really caught me off guard. No spoilers here, but let’s just say it’s got a way of keeping you hooked.

Wondering if you can play Drova on your console? Chances are good. It’s headed for PC, Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch, so you’ll have your pick.

If you’re up for a game that challenges you, frustrates you, and makes you question your choices at every turn, Drova: Forsaken Kin is absolutely worth checking out. It’s demanding and full of moments where you’re either cheering or desperately trying not to rage quit. But when you get through a brutal fight or figure out that one key strategy? You know you’ve earned it.

Game: Drova: Forsaken Kin
Genre: Action RPG, Indie, Adventure
Platform: Played on PlayStation 5 (also available on PC, Xbox, PS4, & Nintendo Switch)
Dev & Pub: Just2D | Deck13 Spotlight
Age Rating: Mature due to drug references and coarse language
Price: AU $37.95
Release Date: October 15th, 2024