Folklore

 PlayStation 3
  • Publisher: SCEA
  • Release Date: Oct 9, 2007
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 192 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 144 out of 192
  2. Mixed: 27 out of 192
  3. Negative: 21 out of 192
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  1. BaronMonaco
    Aug 3, 2015
    7
    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 thatFolklore 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.    … Expand
  2. JohnF.
    Oct 8, 2009
    6
    Folklore is a love it or hate it type of game. There's definitely some things to like here -- cool artwork and a couple really creative boss fights, for starters. But the game just does too many things wrong. It forces you to play through most of the game twice. It forces you to use extremely annoying motion controls that feel like they were implemented just for the sake of having Folklore is a love it or hate it type of game. There's definitely some things to like here -- cool artwork and a couple really creative boss fights, for starters. But the game just does too many things wrong. It forces you to play through most of the game twice. It forces you to use extremely annoying motion controls that feel like they were implemented just for the sake of having motion controls, with the question "Is this fun?" being ignored. The story becomes muddled later in the game and leaves too many unanswered questions. Some people will be able to look past this stuff and still enjoy the game, but others won't.… Expand
  3. ericu
    Jul 7, 2008
    5
    I reall like adventure games...oblivion fable etc...but this game what a disappointment the storyline is mediocre at best & the game play is super repettitive u spend half the time killing a bunch of creatures (easily) so that u can power up your monster the problem is that there are a gazillion little monsters u control ( & need to power up) i am one of those types who always finishes a I reall like adventure games...oblivion fable etc...but this game what a disappointment the storyline is mediocre at best & the game play is super repettitive u spend half the time killing a bunch of creatures (easily) so that u can power up your monster the problem is that there are a gazillion little monsters u control ( & need to power up) i am one of those types who always finishes a game i am 3/4 thru but i don't know if i can finish it..… Expand
  4. skeith
    Aug 2, 2012
    7
    This is not really a RPG as for there is not much rpg elements. The story is not bad but the way it presents is quite uninspiring, lack of voice acting maybe? Fighting is quite fun, you get to catch your enemies and use them. Setting in the game is not that "epic", the whole story is happening in a small village, and a few small realms. Overall, a quite decent game, but not enough to be great.
  5. YoutubeTGW
    Feb 21, 2014
    5
    I like how you can play as both main characters and follow each story. The graphic and design are simply beautiful seeing the change from dull Doolin to this colorful magical realm I like how dark the story is..but the combat could of been altered a little better
  6. neko555
    Sep 26, 2020
    5
    Sin ser nada del otro mundo en jugabilidad o historia (remarcar que es de los poquísimos juegos de ps3 que hacen uso del giroscopio y acelerómetro del sixasis) el juego esta bastante bien,
    Para mí el problema viene con lo tedioso de estar teniendo que repetir los capítulos con ambos personajes cambiando apenas nada. De no ser por eso, para mi sería un juego de 7-8 sin problema.
  7. WellEvil
    Jun 18, 2023
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Great game with a huge focus on story, characters, and world-building. I don't remember the last time when the story absorbed me so much. Yes, there are a few bugs here are there, but nothing game-breaking. Usually minor visual glitches.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

42
#42 Best PS3 Game of 2007
13
#13 Most Discussed PS3 Game of 2007
11
#11 Most Shared PS3 Game of 2007

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 55 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 55
  2. Mixed: 22 out of 55
  3. Negative: 1 out of 55
  1. Eurogamer
    50
    Folklore turns out to be one part boring adventure game, one part underdeveloped collect-em up, and one part standard dungeon crawl. The only aspect of the game that rises above the mundane is its technical polish and the vibrant creativity with which its imaginary worlds have been created - the vivid luminescence of the Fairy World, or the scratchy, Ian Miller-esque authenticity of the War World for example. [JPN Import]
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  2. Computer and Video Games
    80
    Any tedium is overcome by the beauty of the game. It seems like PlayStation 3 has its first gem.
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  3. Play Magazine
    90
    Evoking a sense of otherworldliness is, I am assuming, the reason Folklore exists, and it succeeds at this in an almost heartbreakingly beautiful way no other game ever has. [Oct 2007, p.70]
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