Forspoken on PlayStation 5 - What Works and What Doesn't - DF Tech Review

A new Square-Enix game is always cause for celebration and we were really looking forward to Forspoken - but while the final game has much to commend it, we've got plenty of issues too. In this detailed review, John breaks down his critique into what works and what doesn't, summing up with his final impressions having beaten the game.

00:00 - Introduction
02:09 - How does the game work?
04:17 - What Works, What Doesn't

Here's what works in Forspoken
04:35 - Fast Loading Times
05:06 - Vast Open World
05:46 - Animation Fluidity
07:33 - Particle System
08:07 - Atmospheric Effects
08:35 - Display Options
09:17 - Accessibility Options
09:46 - Character Models
10:10 - The Map System

What doesn't work in Forspoken
10:48 - Poor Lighting
16:31 - Shadows
18:01 - Asset Integration
18:39 - Cutscene Issues
20:00 - Image Quality
21:47 - Performance Testing
24:07 - Wrapping up

[eslzack]

I know this is unrealistic, but I wish everyone on YouTube puts this much thought and care reviewing games. Thank you John.

[eatyrghost]

Another fantastic rundown, thank you! The demo reactions made me reconsider a preorder; this solidifies waiting to see what they choose to patch and how quickly they do so.

[mrBytemare]

I really hope it'll come a day-one-patch that does something with the lightning, if not It'll be a hard pass untill a 50% discount some day and wait for all the other cool things coming this year! :) Great vid ofcourse DF thanks! <3

[Gloamy]

A very interesting game for tech analysis! It look like great fun but I'm very happy to wait for the price to come down and hopefully some performance patches. It still give me major Dragon's Dogma vibes which is probably what's causing my attraction to it lol

[DuckAlertBeats]

This looks like this kind of thing an AI will generate in around ten years

[BrotherKnowledge.]

The PS5 review was dope. Love it. Love the technical breakdown of your videos, and this was no disappointment.

I'm also very curious about the PC version of this game. Would love to see a PC-centric technical review at some point.

When all is said and done, I'll likely get both copies of this game. Because this game is one I have been looking forward to for a long while now.

[Harrysound]

I once described this as “looks like a game that got cancelled”

[MegaCygnusX]

Every time I see AC Unity shown these days it really does highlight how ahead of its time that game was in its presentation.

[Philboh]

Holy moly that AC Unity comparison was willllddd. Crazy how that game and Arkham Knight in particular hold up so well graphically in 2023

[gazray]

its honestly captivating, iv been addicted since I picked it up a few days ago, its just a shame the effort that went into making the gameplay excellent did not go into the hub city, side content and minor cut scenes because it just feels unpolished and stale in cipal, and it stands out next to its peers like horizon and god of war.

[OsaculnenolajO]

Some of the structures in Forspoken look like literal stock assets that were slapped together. The cities look so sterile and lifeless.

[Monkeypuzzle]

Thank you for the fair and comprehensive review of the game with the focus on the technical aspects. I love how you are able to articulate what is actually happening when the game doesn't look "right".

[matternicuss]

Forspoken's environments looks shockingly barren for a modern game. It honestly looks more like a work in progress than a finished product.

[JeanneDGames]

I think it was a pretty sick cut to run FF-XV music the entire review. It's a subtle but effective jab at Forspoken's DNA that it refused to build on.

[jphuwae]

You guys should do an update on this, they fixed the lighting in the game, looks a lot better now and less bloom

[boufenarafetooh]

I would like to see a technical analysis of Assassin's creed Unity, it's just mind blowing for a 2014 title

[reizak]

I'm glad that you explained the lighting and shadows. I kept trying to put my finger on why I thought the world looks really flat and uninteresting in Forspoken. Part of it was that I didn't like the art direction for the world, but looking at your comparisons with older games definitely put it into perspective.

[kimurafool]

It's too bad the dev studio got shut down. I was interested in what they would do next. As a first outing it's still a pretty cool experience.

[brigadooner]

This man has a way with words. I could listen to him describe things all day.

[destebangm]

Still no PC code, damn this is surely gonna suck on PC