Folklore

A compelling story coupled with gameplay mechanics that fit very well, in a world that is an amazing treat for the eyes. Folklore is a delight to play; a game full of wonder.

Many will love this game, and many will hate it. The real draw of this game is the story and the environments you play in. If you want a lot of intense action, look elsewhere. If you want an experience, look here.

If you can put up with the constant level repetition you will find yourself with a great game. A definite sleeper if there ever was one.

Any tedium is overcome by the beauty of the game. It seems like PlayStation 3 has its first gem.

While it won't take long to finish the game, and bar one or two extras there isn't much in the way of replay value, while it lasts, Folklore is a bedazzling, enchanting title.

Folklore is a tale best left to the mists of time.

Folklore is one of 2007's biggest disappointments. A PlayStation 3 game that at first seemed promising, but explodes in a fiery wreck, thanks to annoying dialogue, bizarre comic book style cut scenes and drab game play.

Folklore is a hidden gem on the PlayStation 3, a game that blends stunning visuals, a captivating narrative, and innovative gameplay mechanics into a mesmerizing experience that is unlike anything else on the platform. From the moment you step into its enchanting world, the game pulls you into a strange and otherworldly realm, full of mystery, adventure, and emotional depth. Set in a beautifully crafted world where the boundaries between the living and the dead blur, Folklore tells the story of two protagonists, Ellen and Keats, who journey through the land of the "Otherworld" to uncover dark secrets surrounding mysterious deaths and supernatural occurrences. The narrative is rich and filled with emotional weight, unfolding through engaging dialogue and an atmospheric soundtrack that complements the eerie tone of the game. The storytelling is immersive, and every revelation keeps you invested, offering twists and emotional moments that resonate long after the credits roll. The gameplay is what truly sets Folklore apart. It cleverly combines elements of action, RPGs, and puzzle-solving with a unique mechanic: the ability to capture and control creatures, known as "Folks." These creatures, drawn from mythology and folklore, each possess distinct abilities that can be harnessed to solve puzzles and fight enemies. The combat system is intuitive yet deeply satisfying, as you control these Folks in real-time, using their powers to strategically overcome obstacles and enemies. The game's exploration is equally captivating, with each environment beautifully designed and full of secrets to uncover. The level design is varied and imaginative, ranging from haunted forests to mystical castles, each brimming with atmospheric details that make the world feel alive. The art style is a mix of cel-shaded graphics and dreamlike landscapes, creating an ethereal quality that fits perfectly with the story's tone. The controls are fluid and responsive, making the act of capturing and utilizing Folks feel natural and rewarding. Whether you're fighting through hordes of enemies or solving intricate environmental puzzles, every mechanic is seamlessly integrated into the gameplay experience. The game's pacing strikes the perfect balance, offering moments of intense action followed by slower, more reflective sequences that deepen the narrative. Folklore is a rare game that delivers both an unforgettable world and a gripping, emotional story. Its unique mechanics, beautiful design, and intriguing plot make it a standout title in the PS3's library, and its ability to pull players into its haunting world makes it a must-play for anyone seeking a game that is as thought-provoking as it is fun. This is a game that lingers in your mind long after you've finished it, and its place as one of the most innovative and memorable titles of the PS3 era is well-earned.

Folklore es una verdadera rareza del catálogo de PS3. El aburrimiento de su estructura básica queda completamente eclipsado por la belleza de su propuesta. En su forma más elemental es un Pokémon folclórico, pero mirar el juego solo desde su mecánica sería perderse lo esencial. Más allá de su principio sistémico, Folklore esconde una historia singular, una jugabilidad tan tediosa como genuinamente innovadora y un espíritu claramente de nicho. Ese carácter casi minoritario no es un accidente: el juego parece plenamente consciente de su destino como joya oculta y, más aún, parece buscarlo activamente. No es un título diseñado para agradar a todos, sino para seducir a jugadores que persiguen ese “algo” difícil de definir, esa sensación de obra imperfecta pero con alma. Folklore no es cómodo ni especialmente amable, pero su identidad, su imaginario y su voluntad de ser distinto lo convierten en una experiencia memorable para quien esté dispuesto a aceptarla en sus propios términos.

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]

Folklore was pretty much ignored by the public at its release and that's a shame cause this new IP had a lot to offer starting by a quite original gameplay (sort of mix between Pokemon and classic A-RPG) you collect each type of enemy you encounter and then use them to attack (everyone of them having one unique attack) adding some tactic to the fights. The game is also one of the few that made a good use of the Sixaxis controller. My only complaint about the gameplay would be the difficulty or better said the absence of it. The atmosphere of the game is quite original and charming too, with great design on the folks and folklores (faerys and bosses) lovely music, all of this enhanced with astonish graphics for the time and globally a beyond reproach technical side (0 bugs, steady framerate, etc.). The story is also pretty good and interesting with original point of view on ghost, imagination and afterlife themes while providing a good mystery, unfortunately the absence of voice overs in the big majority of the game take away some immersion and was very PSone-ish. But what "ruined" (I still had a nice time playing it as my mark prove so) the game in my opinion was the mandatory "do over" of the first 5 chapters. Let me explain myself without spoiling anything, the game offers two playable characters, each with their own storyline but doing the same missions (except some unique folks for both of them) and once you've reached chapter 6 you cannot continue until you've done all the previous chapters with the other character. That made the second playthrough quite boring and exhausted the Sixaxis mechanics. At the end the game lasted approximately 15 hours and 6 of them were "deja vue". So it's not much for the genre and you'll most certainly don't want to replay it again before a long time. In conclusion this game is recommended for all the players looking for original gameplay and immersive universe, but be aware of its big failure in game design.

Bah... c'est quoi ce machin...? une japoniaiserie ! une espèce de jeu d'aventure niais pour ados écervelés. Caméra fixe, carte mal fichue, cinématiques sous forme de bandes dessinées (pas assez d'argent, on dirait un jeu "indépendant"...). Graphismes acceptables (enfin faut pas être bien difficile) et musique lancinante non désactivable aussi niaise que le reste. De façon surprenante, le jeu est intégralement en français mais le doublage est très inégal et ne peut prétendre rivaliser avec les Triple A habituels, loin de là. Mais surtout, ce qu'on en retiendra, on ne peut pas vous le dire : on s'est endormi au bout d'un petit quart d'heure.