Drova - Forsaken Kin

Drova is a gift from the heavens for fans of old-school RPGs. It rewards players who embrace exploration on their own terms, don’t need a map cluttered with question marks, and aren’t afraid to read and think. The fair yet challenging combat spices up the experience, alongside the unmistakable atmosphere of its surprisingly charming pixel art. Simply put, Drova is a game you’ll want in your collection.

You enjoy slower RPGs like the Gothic series, love exploration and have a taste for gorgeous pixel art? Boy, are you in for a treat.

Despite an underwhelming conclusion, Drova: Forsaken Kin is an incredibly fun and challenging game in many ways, and it likely would have made my personal top five last year had I played it when it released. It utilizes a smart integration of challenging environmental exploration, rewarding player progression, and intricate world design to create one of the most engaging RPGs I've played in a while. Only some shortcomings with writing and storytelling hold it back from being recommended without hesitation.

Drova manages to come close to the quality of a true Gothic game over long stretches, only the visuals and lack of spoken dialogue could be off-putting.

Drova – Forsaken Kin is an action CPRG that keeps you on your toes. The action is exhilarating, your decisions have no judgment, and your playstyle is your own. But this is tempered by a difficult beginning, a lack of decent maps, and combat that’s not in your favour. While the game still promises a good time for CRPG fans, it may not be the easiest entry for others. Stay the course and fight through the difficulties to find a game that delivers on its premise.