Upon starting Fatekeeper, I was instantly greeted with the sight of gorgeously lit cliffsides dotted with specks of lush green from trees and other vegetation. Even in early access, it’s one of the most visually impressive games on PC. However, with how peaceful the game was at first, I couldn’t help but wonder whether the gameplay mechanics could hold up to the high standards set by the visuals.
Fortunately, Fatekeeper is promising to be a compelling action RPG from developer Paraglacial and publisher THQ Nordic. While there is a good reason why the game isn’t being advertised as a finished product, what’s here is a steal for the asking price. For those with the hardware to run it, it might be worth checking out now.
Might and Magic
If Fatekeeper‘s gameplay seems familiar, that’s because it pulls inspiration from the cult-classic Dark Messiah of Might & Magic, including its iconic, overpowered kick. It could easily be mistaken for a PC game from 2006 if it weren’t for how graphically demanding it is. It’s a throwback in both its feel and design philosophy, for better or worse.
While linear, the level design doesn’t always highlight a clear path for the player. Checkpoints are sparse, and many of the game’s mechanics require experimentation. Combat places a heavy emphasis on physics and quick, tactical thinking. Paying attention to the surrounding environment is critical to success.
Fatekeeper is as brutally unforgiving as it is a blast to play. Healing items are limited, and enemies can hit hard. The player has plenty of tools at their disposal, and the game requires efficient use of all of them. One simple mistake can be devastating.
Fatekeeper’s Deep Mechanics
At first glance, some might assume Fatekeeper is trying to emulate an Elder Scrolls title. However, the game is far more linear and focused in its direction. At its core, this is a first-person action game with a heavy dose of RPG systems and mechanics that most would come to expect in more classic titles.
A rather large skill tree allows players to prioritize their character build as they grow stronger. Better equipment and gear can be found by combing through the game’s environments. In addition, the game’s potion crafting system is fun to experiment with and has a lot of potential, but could benefit from enhancements such as a recipe book to save specific combinations.
All these systems work to enhance the true star of the show, which is Fatekeeper‘s combat mechanics. It contains one of the most immersive combat systems for an RPG since Dragon’s Dogma 2, minus the tedious open world. It rewards quick thinking and creative solutions.
For example, if the player sees oil spilled across the floor, they can lure a group of enemies toward it and blast their fire spell to set them all ablaze. Additionally, if an enemy is standing close to the ledge of a cliff or a deep pit, you know what to do. That kick exists for a reason.
A Technical Showcase
Fatekeeper lists an RTX 3070 as the minimum recommended GPU for a playable experience on its Steam page. While it may be an aging graphics card, this is more than what most other games ask for. Running the game with an AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT ensures a solid and locked 60 FPS at 1440p with every setting at its maximum. As such, Fatekeeper should be a smooth experience for most higher-end users, but it’s certainly more demanding than most other titles.
Graphically, Fatekeeper appears to be cutting no corners. Environments and models are brimming with exquisite detail. The way light interacts with foliage is convincing, making one almost believe they could pluck a leaf from its branch.
This is all held up by an equally stunning artistic direction. The decaying structures of Fatekeeper are filled with various debris and vibrant colors. It’s as if the ground beneath the player’s feet could give way and lead them to a steep death at any moment.
Fatekeeper Needs More Time in the Oven
Fatekeeper excels shockingly well in many regards, which unfortunately makes the rough spots all the more noticeable. At the moment, enemy variety is minimal, and the game compensates for that by overwhelming the player with the same grunts in large numbers. This often results in encounters where the player will be running away a lot, as tackling large groups of enemies head-on will almost always guarantee death.
Furthermore, Fatekeeper appears to lack some polish outside of its visuals. Of course, the often janky ragdoll physics add to the charm of the experience, but that’s not the problem here. Some spells appear to act inconsistently and are unreliable to use as a result. The audio needs more work, as some cutscene voice lines seem to lack proper mixing and are too quiet compared to everything else.
The level design is a mixed bag. Some areas are cleverly designed, while others feel empty and aimless. The limited checkpoints provide more frustration rather than an engaging challenge. Many similar PC games have had quick-save features in the past, and it certainly wouldn’t harm this one.
The Fate of Fatekeeper
With enough love and care, Fatekeeper can assuredly make a name for itself as a cult-hit action RPG. What’s here is already thoroughly enjoyable to play. It simply needs more content and polish to reach the standard of a full release.
At such a low cost, the early-access content is worthwhile for anyone interested, assuming one has the hardware to run it. Some quality-of-life improvements could go a long way in improving the overall experience, but the old-school design philosophy has its charms.
Fatekeeper is currently available to purchase on PC via Steam as an early access title. Planned PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S ports will release after the early access period concludes.
Disclaimer: THQ Nordic provided Final Weapon with a Steam key of Fatekeeper for early access coverage.
