Forged In Shadow Torch: PS5 Review

Developed by TiGAMES, Shanghai TiGames Network Technology Limited
Released by Microïds, Bilibili
Platform: PS5

It's very rare for a game these days to simply just get on with what it wants to do.

Most seem to drown in their own whistles and bells, with deeper levels of engagement tantalisingly hinted at by the possibility of continual grind.

Forged In Shadow Torch (FIST) revels in its simplicity of execution, and provides a gameplay experience that's simply enjoyable.

A metroidvania hack'n'slash, you play Rayton a rabbit who was a former soldier in a Resistance war in Torch City, a land formerly inhabited solely by animals. But when Rayton's friend is arrested, he grabs his trusty mechanical fist, and decides to take the fight back to the front line.

F.I.S.T: Forged In Shadow Torch is a solid game that does exactly what it says on the tin, but with the added bonus of talking animals.

In many ways it looks very similar to Jak'n'Daxter 2 - and the combat plays similarly too as you go through various levels of Torch City, killing and culling as you go. Unlocking skills are an obvious necessity of the game, and the combat is fairly simple, and combinations come into play.

There's not a ton of skill needed here during fighting, though there are moments of skill required for mastering jumps and getting to various portions of the city.

While the game plays smoothly, there's no denying that on the PS5, it doesn't quite look as polished as it deserves to, with some frames of animation and adventuring showing off a level of muddiness that is a little disappointing.

It may mix steampunk aesthetics with just a combat game, but what F.I.S.T: Forged In Shadow Torch does, it does well. It's a perfectly enjoyable indie that could have used a bit more spit and polish on the next generation.