Forgive Me Father Review (boyfromhell)
Alright, let's dive into "Forgive Me Father," a game that definitely left an impression, albeit a somewhat mixed one. It's a retro-inspired FPS with a strong Lovecraftian vibe, and while it nails certain aspects, it also stumbles in others. Here's a breakdown:
The Good, The Grotesque, and the Glorious (75%)
"Forgive Me Father" absolutely nails the aesthetic. The hand-drawn, comic book style visuals are striking and unique. It feels like you're stepping into a twisted graphic novel, and the Lovecraftian horrors are rendered with a delightful, unsettling charm.
Atmosphere and Art Style: The game's atmosphere is thick with dread and madness. The visual style is a perfect fit for the Lovecraftian setting, and the grotesque enemy designs are both disturbing and memorable. The color palette, the shading, it all works to create an unsettling, captivating world.
Weapon Variety and Combat: The arsenal is a blast to use. From the classic revolver to the more exotic, sanity-draining weapons, each gun feels powerful and impactful. The combat is fast-paced and visceral, with a satisfying crunch to each kill. The "madness" mechanic, where your abilities change as your sanity fluctuates, adds a unique and engaging layer to the gameplay.
Sound Design: The sound design is top-notch. The unsettling ambient noises, the guttural growls of the enemies, and the booming gunshots all contribute to the immersive and terrifying atmosphere.
Level Design: Some of the levels are really cleverly designed, with winding corridors, hidden passages, and environmental hazards that add to the challenge. The game knows how to build tension, and the exploration is often rewarded with hidden items or lore snippets.
Story and Lore: The story, while somewhat fragmented, is intriguing. The snippets of lore you uncover throughout the game paint a picture of a world teetering on the brink of madness, and the characters you encounter are suitably eccentric and unsettling.
The Shadows and Shortcomings (25%)
While "Forgive Me Father" does a lot right, it's not without its flaws. Certain aspects of the game feel undercooked or repetitive, and they detract from the overall experience.
Repetitive Enemy Encounters: While the enemy designs are great, the AI can be somewhat predictable, and the encounters can become repetitive after a while. You'll often find yourself facing the same groups of enemies in the same patterns, which can lessen the sense of dread.
Inconsistent Difficulty Spikes: The game can have some rather dramatic difficulty spikes. Some areas feel relatively easy, while others throw hordes of enemies at you, leading to frustrating deaths. The balancing feels a bit uneven at times.
Occasional Level Design Frustrations: While many levels are well-designed, some can feel confusing or cluttered. Finding key items or navigating certain areas can be frustrating, particularly when under pressure from enemies. Some areas feel like mazes, and not in a good way.
Lack of Polish: While the art style is a deliberate choice, some aspects of the game feel a bit rough around the edges. Minor graphical glitches, clunky animations, and occasional performance issues can detract from the immersion.
Story Pacing: The story, while interesting, can feel disjointed. The fragmented nature of the narrative can make it difficult to follow at times, and the pacing can be uneven.
Overall:
"Forgive Me Father" is a flawed gem. It's a game with a strong personality and a unique aesthetic, but it's also a game that suffers from some inconsistencies and rough edges. If you're a fan of retro FPS games and Lovecraftian horror, it's definitely worth checking out. Just be prepared for some frustrating moments and a bit of jank. The good parts are really good, but the bad parts can be very noticeable. It's a game that could have been a true classic with a bit more polish.