Drova: Forsaken Kin - 2D action RPG inspired by Gothic series

[Salvo]

Does it feel like a 100% worthy Gothic successor or is euphoria caused by a pure surprise of getting something half decent out of nowhere?

It's really enjoyable, however debatable its likeness/successorness to Gothic really is. MC starts a little more able than the Nameless Hero, skipping that most boring part of the beginning of character development. Seems the game is a tad easier too, but that is not to say it is easy or forgiving. Exploration is 2D thus necessarily somewhat different, but I would say the designers made very effective use of what they have - it just keeps drawing you in further and further. Old style secrets and quirks are replaced by the new ones. I'm not ready to say better/worse just yet, but either way it will be close. Story starts off noticeably more grandiose than Gothic with a big setpiece right in the start, then it quickly returns to the familiar lines. All-in-all: gameplay is fun, exploration is rewarding, experience is almost bug-free and I can't name any glaring flaws that would make a Gothic fan not want to play it.

How about the game length?

Reportedly enough for at least 40h with half of that being the main story. Can't confirm yet.

I'm more than 15h in and yet to be done with Chapter 1, that said I AM lawnmowing everything and would have to see what the later chapters add

 

[Shaki]

I'm 30h in now, it's still great, still exciting, still no bugs or unfinished shit encountered, still looking like a clear GOTY. Pure incline.

 

[Litmanen]

You're wilfully ignorant if you don't see the agenda from the devs. Body type A/B, world is full of niggers even though it's a world blatantly based on ancient Europe, strong womyn warriors everywhere. One of the first characters you meet is a negress that bosses you about. It's practically a Sweetbaby product. You're allowed to like the game in spite of these things, but don't pretend the game isn't woke when it blatantly is.

It's not game industry's fault if women don't like you or you like men and don't have the courage to admit it.

Stop these stupid fights. They don't make you more smart, more handsome or more straight.

Plus, there is nothing wrong if you're gay. Accept it

 

[Sunri]

The first hour was rather boring, but when I got to the new old camp it started being interesting, question how is the combat later? now It's pretty tedious because I can dodge all attacks, but I need to hit the monster 20 times to kill it.

 

[Gandalf]

Gave it a spin. The time passess really fast while playing this game. I like that the right mouse button serves as a searching tool. Neat idea. So far the game feels like a combination of Stardew Valley, Gothic and maybe Dink Smallwood.

 

[Berengar]

Came to find out about this game, stayed to watch the culture war psychos get yelled at

seriously dudes, nobody here cares, take that shit to twitter where it belongs

 

[notpl]

The first hour was rather boring, but when I got to the new old camp it started being interesting, question how is the combat later? now It's pretty tedious because I can dodge all attacks, but I need to hit the monster 20 times to kill it.

Itemization is really what does it. With a talisman that gives you +100% damage on your next melee attack following the use of an ability, letting the "ability" in question be a war cry for +30% damage on top of that, a strong attack from an axe or spear can chunk things. Similarly, a fully-focused dagger strong attack crit with a different set of gear. And because your strength is a multiplier on damage rather than a flat addition a la Gothic, getting a better weapon makes a MUCH bigger difference to your damage. I agree your weapons feel like whiffle bats at first, but it gives you room to grow.

 

[toro]

I have 12 hours in the game. I'm still in chapter 1, actually I just reached Nemeton.

My favourite quests until now are the one for Eugen, the missing person and the arena fight in Remnants camp.

 

[Tacgnol]

38 hours in, very few bugs. Seemingly, I still have a lot of content to do before the end (I'm quite late into Chapter 4).

I've only encountered one bug so far, an escort quest I was doing bugged out and I had to reload a previous save. The game autosaves every 3 mins so it's no big deal.

I'm very surprised how polished this is.

 

[AfterVirtue]

You might say that the game is good, but this is like putting a drop of shit in a barrel of honey - the end product will be a barrel of shit.

Or obtain a luxury-flavored honey to sell for x-k every barrel.

a world blatantly based on ancient Europe

Yes, yes, i remember very well the reign of King Rhobar III after King Frederick II and just before the involvement of Innos clergy on the Sicilian Vespers. And who could forget the Templar knights accused of being Beliar worshipers. Those were times, damnit.

 

[onemananadhisdroid]

Exploration is chefs kiss.

Recently watched somebody playing with the player position on the map enabled. I actually think this spoils the (intended) experience.

Tbh, I didn't even buy the more detailed world map and still own the one that Asmus haphazardly draws for you in the beginning.

(Symbolic representation of the Asmus map due to spoiler reasons).

 

[Harthwain]

Recently watched somebody playing with the player position on the map enabled. I actually think this spoils the (intended) experience.

This is how it worked in Gothic though.

 

[cpmartins]

Just chiming in to say it's good. My only two nags is having women fighting and

Spoiler

magic being available far to late, even later than Gothic

.
Edit: Oh, and no mana.

 

[notpl]

The inability to truly play a mage character is disappointing, but also traditional magic simply wouldn't mesh with the combat system they made here.

 

[Tacgnol]

Finished the game, I took 42 hours. The last chapter is quite short, but I never felt a Risen moment where there was a sudden drop in quality.

Game has multiple endings based on whether you completed the longer side quests.

I will definitely replay as the remnants in the future as it seems as though their late game chapters unfold at least a little differently.

Ending spoilers

Both faction leaders are morons who almost destroy what's left of the world with their stupidity.

If you complete the ruin raiders side quest you get a signet and access to Drivnaius's study. In it you find notes and a helmet that allows you to communicate with the divinities. This gives you some extra options during the ending sequence, as you get a choice of either dominating all the divinities and usurping their power or releasing them back into the world. The latter seems to require you to have completed at least some side quests in a compassionate/altruistic way.

In the best ending the death fog is dispersed and the world is restored. Wouldn't surprise me if this is used as a sequel hook for a future title in the same universe.

Overall a very strong game and a reminder of just how good the Gothic formula is when done well. I hope Just2D do a sequel or a game of the same style in the future.

 

[Marat]

I am really surprised by how much I dig the combat style. The mix of hack'n'slash like Bastion or something and Gothic-style RPG mechanics works really well.

Sequel - yes, but I hope for a magic-based playstyle being made available.

 

[Iluvcheezcake]

Shame you cant play as a straight caster from start

 

[just]

thats coz all casters are homos

 

[Sunri]

I have problem with the debt quest in remnant camp where I can find the debtor list?

 

[notpl]

I have problem with the debt quest in remnant camp where I can find the debtor list?

It's in her desk, sneak in at night or bribe Boris to get it for you.

 

[Sunri]

I beat both her and her bodyguard and she had only daggers, and it wasn't in her chest I will try the table I took the loan

 

[Tacgnol]

I beat both her and her bodyguard and she had only daggers, and it wasn't in her chest I will try the table I took the loan

You indeed have to inspect the desk/table. You get a dialogue prompt to check the drawers.

 

[toro]

I have problem with the debt quest in remnant camp where I can find the debtor list?

from the loanshark lady (lol), duh, rightmost room in the upper area, there's a female (lol) bodyguard hanging around called Snake (lmao)

I don't know if it's necessary to witness where exactly she (lol) puts it in her desk by applying for a loan yourself, it's free money because you will not be paying it back, but that's where you should grab it
you can also use the list to demand moneys from the debtors on the list yourself, I did it after I had turned the list in for the guy who put me to the task - you can beat up everybody and grab all the quest items you've turned in previously

Nice It never crossed my mind to do this. The sad fact is that right now I'm conditioned to play it like a retarded popamole.

 

[Nikanuur]

How deep does the Gothic formula go? I mean, do I have to save up the +1 ability herbs for later potionification, or should I just gobble them?

 

[toro]

17 hours into the game and I'm still in the first chapter. I've spent the last couple of hours looking for treasures. I'm having a blast.

I agree that the 2.5D is less immersive than Gothic's 3rd person camera but it is what it is.

The game is a derivative of Gothic but I feel like they improved on the formula.

They added traps (as in bear traps) and caltrops which are taken literally from Underrail.

Spoiler

As in a standard Gothic game I've spent the first levels on acquiring hunting and prospecting skills. There is no other way for me.

The only downside until now is that I don't know which faction to choose. Neither of them appeal to me.

Anyway, my first harpy kill + leveling up to 12 Crow's Feet are actually op.