Flintlock: Can This Action RPG Actually Be the Accessible Dark Souls We’ve Been Waiting For?

Flintlock: A Steampunk Souls-Lite Adventure That Fails to Ignite

In a world where gods are not revered but feared, Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn presents a unique premise: a vengeful protagonist, Nor Vanek, armed with a cutlass, a flintlock, and a tiny magical god, sets out to conquer a world overrun by the undead. Set in the steampunk, open world of Kian, where magical doorways spill armies of the dead, Flintlock promises an intriguing adventure. However, despite clever ideas, a charming cast, and diverse environments, this third-person souls-lite action RPG fails to escape the shackles of a limited budget and lack of polish.

A World Yet to Be Told:

The game plunges players into the heart of battle, a chaotic scene straight out of a World War I-inspired dark fantasy. Soldiers in uniform, armed with muskets and flintlocks, fight off a relentless horde of zombies pouring from a strange gateway. The backdrop is familiar – trenches, barbed wire, helmets on infantry, medals on generals. But amidst this grim tableau, magical beings unleash their destructive prowess, adding a layer of arcane chaos.

While Flintlock competently introduces its mechanics, it fails miserably at establishing its setting. Even after hours of gameplay, the world remains shrouded in mystery. The nature of the "gods" remains unclear, beyond the player’s mission to eliminate them. These omissions leave players adrift in a poorly defined world, longing for the contextual richness often found in its soulsborne inspirations.

A Promising Combat System, Hampered by Technical Shortcomings:

Flintlock’s combat system, however, carries a glimmer of promise. Employing a fast-paced approach reminiscent of the new God of War games, Nor can seamlessly switch between melee weapons, her flintlock, and a sniper rifle. Her arsenal expands with the arrival of Enki, an adorable fox-shaped god, who imbues her with magical abilities. Enki becomes Nor’s constant companion, engaging in witty banter and gradually forming a heartwarming bond with her. Their dynamic, similar to Kratos and Atreus, creates a personal connection that anchors the player’s experience.

Unfortunately, this well-conceived combat system stumbles against technical limitations. Animations, despite promising a fluid and responsive fighting experience, feel stiff and unresponsive, disrupting the rhythm and timing crucial to souls-lite combat. The lack of polish is further emphasized in the awkward movements of larger enemies and bosses, further diminishing the impact of the combat encounters.

Repetitive Encounters and Unpolished Presentation:

The game’s repetitive enemy encounters and unpolished presentation further detract from its overall appeal. The lack of enemy variety leads to repetitive combat scenarios. While death and respawning enemies are fundamental aspects of the soulsborne genre, Flintlock’s lack of diversity diminishes the thrill of combat, making encounters feel monotonous and predictable.

The unpolished presentation is evident in the game’s dated graphics, despite creative designs. Stiff animations are compounded by facial expressions that lack depth and emotion. Environments, although diverse ranging from snowy mountains to deep caves, are marred by ugly textures, poorly drawn elements, and questionable lighting. These shortcomings are particularly evident in the often-cluttered battlefields, detracting from the visual immersion and impacting the overall aesthetic appeal of the game.

Missed Opportunities for Storytelling and Character Depth:

Flintlock’s lack of polish extends to its storytelling. Despite relying heavily on dialogue and interactions between NPCs, the game disappoints in establishing character depth and a compelling narrative. For instance, Nor’s journey alongside her surrogate father, Baz, a merchant and smith voiced by the iconic Elias Toufexis, lacks emotional depth. Baz’s emotions and motivations are difficult to discern due to the poor character models, leaving the voice acting to shoulder the burden of conveying his personality.

This absence of depth is especially jarring in a game that heavily relies on dialogue and character interaction. The reliance on dialogue instead of well-crafted cutscenes, as seen in the new God of War games, further exacerbates the storytelling flaws. Cutscenes feel spartan and uninspired, lacking the nuance and emotional depth that could have salvaged the narrative.

A Disconnected Experience:

Overall, the game feels like a sequel to an unplayed prequel, leaving players lost in an unfamiliar world with little to no context. While uncovering the mysteries of Kian offers a sense of discovery, the lack of a solid foundation undermines the experience, leaving players feeling detached and disconnected from the narrative and its characters.

Positive Aspects – A World That Begins To Bloom:

Despite its shortcomings, Flintlock possesses some redeeming qualities. The developers have successfully implemented a dynamic world where the player’s actions have tangible consequences. Successfully rescuing villages from bandit threats breathes life into the game’s world, unlocking new merchants and quests. Players can also recruit NPCs who offer permanent bonuses and equipment, adding a layer of depth to the gameplay experience.

A Stepping Stone for Genre Fans, Not a Triumph:

Flintlock offers a comfortable stepping stone into the challenging world of soulsborne games, presenting a unique twist with its risk-reward reputation system. However, its technical shortcomings and repetitive gameplay ultimately hinder its appeal. While the game boasts varied environments and a charming relationship between Nor and Enki, it fails to deliver a satisfying experience, leaving both veterans and newcomers underwhelmed.

While Flintlock’s ambition is evident, its execution falls short of its potential. The unfulfilled promise of a captivating steampunk adventure riddled with magical threats and intriguing characters leaves players with a lingering sense of disappointment. With a bit more polish and attention to detail, Flintlock could have been a truly special entry into the souls-like genre. However, for now, it remains a missed opportunity, a cautionary tale of a game that could have been so much more.

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