Folk Hero is a premium action title for PC developed by Chudo-Yudo Games. It is a roguelike game that features pixel graphics and draws inspiration from Slavic folklore for its story and design. In it, players are warrior adventurers exploring various places as they battle mythical creatures and search for treasure.

Much like Children of Morta or Ravenswatch, Folk Hero serves up a fast-paced action-slasher experience with Souls-like difficulty and RPG mechanics and progression. New players can try this demo out to see what the game is all about and what they can expect from the full version.

Tales come to life

The first thing you should know about Folk Hero is that it's heavily inspired by Slavic folklore. As such, the types of enemies you will encounter in the game are based on mythical creatures like the Leshy, Domovoy, and Rusalka. It takes place in the fantasy Island of Buyan which has been experiencing bizarre occurrences. You're a warrior who set out to investigate what happened.

The other thing to know about Folk Hero is its Souls-like combat. You have your standard fast and powerful attacks with special skills, paired with dash, block, and parry moves. Each enemy requires a different approach to defeat, and this is where the difficulty kicks in. Not only are they hard to battle, but you also have the possibility of permadeath to deal with, forcing you to play smart.

In addition to multiple character classes with unique weapons, you gain an assortment of artifacts and elemental runes that all augment your attacks and increase effectiveness against specific enemy types. Be aware that this is one of the harder games in its genre. As such, it can be too difficult for some players who are not used to the kind of combat it has.

Local co-op mode arrives

Update 14.03.24 of Folk Hero adds local multiplayer, letting up to two additional players join your adventure, so you no longer have to play alone. This feature can be enabled through the save slot menu and by using the summoning bell found on the Beach. It’s a great addition for those who want to enjoy the game with friends.

Alongside the multiplayer option, the update includes several gameplay adjustments. Difficulty settings can now only be changed from the main menu or while at the Beach. The Archer’s explosion area has been expanded, while the Defender starts with less shield armor, helping to balance the classes more fairly. Another notable improvement is the addition of a Gamepad Stick Dead Zone setting, which helps avoid accidental movement from overly sensitive joysticks.

The update also addresses several technical issues, including localization errors and problems with achievement display. These improvements, while minor, contribute to a smoother and more user-friendly experience. Combined with the addition of local multiplayer and refined gameplay balance, this update shows that the developers are listening to player feedback and working hard to enhance the overall quality of the game.

Intriguing lore and challenging combat

All in all, if you like action roguelikes and want to test your skills, Folk Hero can more than offer a good challenge. Combat is this game's bread and butter, and does it rather well. The enemies are varied and allow for all kinds of character builds to suit your playstyle. It will be too hard for some, but if you're up for it, this is a game worth checking out.