Forgive me Father

Are we not sick of the repetitive first-person shooters released month after month? Forgive Me Father doesn't seem to think so. It does seem like we see a new FPS release promising to offer a 'new experience' too often. But only released to be the same old mechanics with slightly different skins and a remarkably average storyline. But this game hits a little differently.

Forgive Me Father does look to include those traditional FPS mechanics, but this does have an identifiable twist on gameplay. The aesthetic style of the game is visibly unique. It wouldn't take much for a player to look at the game and think, "I definitely have to try this." That is a rare accomplishment in this day and age. So let's explore if the game is actually good.

Forgive Me, Father, For I Have Sinned

We'll mention this aesthetic style first. It's like the visuals were taken straight out of a comic book and pasted inside a 3D-level environment. It shows, too - the animations are choppy as if they were paper puppets. However, it weirdly adds to the game. The interface that dictates how you blew your enemy to smithereens really adds something to the game.

Forgive Me Father is not the most intriguing when it comes to narrative. But what it lacks in the story it makes up for is visual flair. You'll enter this Lovecraftian-inspired world with all guns blazing, and even that's an understatement. Players will use weapons to create chaos, where blood splatter distorts your screen blocking views from the hordes of foes that keep on coming.

As entertaining as that is for a while, you'd think the challenge lets up. The fundamental difference of this FPS is that it has a scaling 'madness' system which dynamically changes gameplay as you progress. One moment you could be casually destroying monsters, and the next coping with a sudden change in difficulty and vision.

Forgive Me Father is entertaining to play, but at the moment does feel a little directionless. It's worth mentioning the game is in early access, so we won't see the full release until next year. That means there is room for improvement on perhaps making the storyline a little more engaging? Combat, though, can stay the same. What fun to get involved with.

Straight Outta H.P. Lovecraft

You have to give it to Forgive Me Father for actually trying to create something a little different with their FPS. It has the craziness scale of Devil Daggers with the level design of classic Doom.

Not to mention this unique comic-book style that is reminiscent of XIII. Let's note that the combat perfectly suits the game aesthetics, leaving room for plenty of gameplay potential.

Pros:

• The aesthetic style of the game is remarkable
• Combat is hugely entertaining
• Environmental design hits the Lovecraftian influence on the head

Cons:

• Lacking a compelling narrative at the moment
• Blood splatter distorts line of sight