The Forbidden Arts

The Forbidden Arts is a nice indie studio entry for the Switch and good for at least 12 hours of gameplay. I say “at least” because if you play like me you will probably get a couple of extra hours out of it (refer to the finicky jumping bits above). It doesn’t have all the polish of a big studio game, but it has heart.

Although enjoyable overall, the flaws in aspects like exploration or level design take their toll on this adventure. It does have some virtues, but there are better alternatives available.

Anyone expecting a Zelda-esque level of role-playing or story, or Mario-level platforming will be disappointed by The Forbidden Arts, as will gamers looking forward to a lush, 3D world to explore. In fact, The Forbidden Arts is a platformer with light RPG elements, a skeletal story and an imperfect balance between its controls and its demands. Ultimately, The Forbidden Arts lacks ambition and enough imagination to help it stand out from a crowded, accomplished field.

Plagued with flaws, this game could be at least decent if it only had a grain of charm. Somehow it misses all the elements it needs to have in order to be the game it wants to be, and can only appeal to the hardest of hardcore fantasy lovers out there.

Although The Forbidden Arts has a lot of potential, its gameplay is so loose and unsatisfying that it's hard not to be disappointed.

The Forbidden Arts feels like a game from the early GameCube era, but not a particularly good one. Whilst the dungeons are vast and varied, and the platforming mechanics competent enough, the combat really brings the whole experience to its knees thanks to poor enemy AI and half baked elemental mechanics that make the entire experience feel very repetitive. Add to that the lacklustre graphics and empty overworld, and this is a game that only the most ardent of fantasy enthusiasts will enjoy.

The Forbidden Arts will remind you of those old 99p bargain bin games with a drab colour palette, annoying music and half-baked combat. Some platforming elements are enjoyable, but the overall package is a chore rather than a joy to play.