Bleak Faith: Forsaken is a premium adventure game from Archangel Studios. Explore a new dystopian world, find the last remnants of civilization, and ultimately find your purpose in this role-playing experience. With a massive open-world map guiding its nonlinear RPG progression, you can play it however you like.

With all the classic elements of a Souls-like game, Bleak Faith: Forsaken makes for a promising alternative to games like Elden Ring, Dark Souls III, or Mortal Shell. The difficulty and art style are on point, although the optimization could use more work, especially in terms of controls and combat animation.

In Bleak Faith: Forsaken, you explore the fantasy crossover world known only as the Omnistructure. It is filled with different aesthetics and set designs that make for very interesting gameplay possibilities. From sprawling forests to abandoned industrial complexes, it retains the sense of dread and desolation for an art style that is definitely Souls-like. Add an original soundtrack and you’re in for a memorable indie experience.

Of course, the difficulty is a given. This game is designed to give players almost no breaks in between its visually astounding set designs. The interface and combat system draw heavy inspiration from the Souls games, like any other title in the subgenre. One thing it reinvents, however, is the player build. You are free to develop your character depending on your play style of choice, with only four main stats that function as follows:

• Strength increases your physical damage and lets you carry heavier equipment with less penalty.
• Agility reduces character visibility to the enemies while improving Stamina and Critical Strike chance.
• Intellect increases your maximum Flux, or the mana equivalent in this game while increasing all ability damage.
• Constitution improves your stagger resistance while increasing your maximum health.

While this game builds on the strengths and signature traits of Souls-like games, it ultimately collapses under its technical inconsistencies. To be fair, though, this is an indie project of three developers. Movement is generally clunky and combat is inconsistent. Players have noted how certain perks do not work as advertised. For a game with sufficient content, it could use a greater build variety with more weapons and armor.

Recent enhancements and fixes

In an effort to enhance player engagement and address existing gaps, the developers of Bleak Faith: Forsaken have introduced significant updates. A highlighted change includes moving the Tactician's Amulet to outside Konrad the Traitor's arena, making it more accessible. The Amulet of Minor Vitality (+35 Max Health) has also been relocated for easier access in its previous spot. To streamline gameplay, "Roll Only" is now the default roll type.

Moreover, combat mechanics see notable improvements. Players can now perform a heavy attack after a Perfect Block, regardless of stamina status. This nuanced tweak adds a layer of strategy, rewarding skillful play with impactful attacks even when stamina runs low. These changes collectively aim to offer a more balanced and enjoyable experience, catering to diverse playstyles and maintaining game fluidity.

Bug fixes have been pivotal in addressing players' frustrations and enhancing overall game stability. The Relocation feature can now only be used from previously stabilized Homunculi, preventing unintended exploits. Furthermore, an issue with the Resolution Scale setting, which rendered the game pixelated, has been fixed. Players experiencing this can reset the slider back to one to rectify any visual discrepancies.

Too raw for a full release

Overall, Bleak Faith: Forsaken has the makings of a promising indie Souls-like — one that could potentially live up to its predecessors. The art style is on point, which is consistent and effective across various set designs. It boasts a catchy and immersive soundtrack, which helps emphasize how challenging the game can be. With a few more adjustments to the technical aspects, it can be a definite must-try.