The Last Faith can be best described as a Metroidvania-Souls hybrid, a blend of two popular genres. While this isn’t a unique combination, The Last Faith manages to stand out, drawing comparisons to the dark and gothic style of Bloodborne. What sets this game apart is its dedication to its theme and its successful execution. It was developed by the popular game studio Kumi Souls Games and seems to be the best pixel art game of 2023.
Keep reading to find out what we think about the game, its story, and how it plays.
Is There a Release Date for the Last Faith?
If you’re excited about ‘The Last Faith,’ it’s coming out on November 15th. We’re not sure about the price yet, most probably, it’ll be around $20, like similar games such as “Blasphemous”. The game’s plan is to be released on Steam (PC/Mac/Linux), Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
What Will the Gameplay Be Like in the Last Faith?
The gameplay in The Last Faith is a critical aspect. While atmosphere and story are significant, gameplay takes centre stage. One notable feature of the game is its flexibility in allowing players to customise their loadout and character, offering various ways to tackle challenges. This adaptability is a commendable aspect, especially in a game like this, which can be complex yet simple.
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Combat Adaptability
For a better gaming experience, you can easily change between two main weapons to hold without having to go through menus. On top of that, you can also have two other weapons or spells in your hands, and each of them has its own special ability or powerful attack.
The main weapons have their own unique skills, and the other ones in your offhand use up your mana or ammo, like guns or spells. It’s important to keep an eye on your resources because you have limited ammo for guns, and your mana comes back at bonfires or by using certain items.
Elemental Buff
You can make your weapons stronger by using special powders. You can get these powders by defeating enemies or buying them. When you boost your weapons, they get extra damage and some special abilities. Here are the unique buffs you can use in the game:
- Fire Buff: Adds fire to the weapon for extra damage against beasts.
- Electric Buff: Electrifies the weapon, effective against humanoids and armoured foes, with a chance to stun.
- Ice Buff: Slows down enemies and may freeze or disintegrate them.
- Dark Buff: Ignores enemy defence and absorbs mana.
- Cursed Blood Buff: Acquired after defeating specific foes, adds bonus damage against humanoids.
Magic Spells
In The Last Faith, you can use magic spells to give you an edge in battles against enemies and big bosses. These spells come in four flavours: fire, ice, dark, and electric. Here’s a sneak peek at some of the magic spells you can wield as you journey through the game:
- Fire Spell: Shoots fiery flames to burn and hurt enemies.
- Ice Spell: Casts a freezing spell to slow down and damage foes.
- Dark Spell: Uses dark magic to weaken and harm opponents.
- Electric Spell: Sends electric shocks to paralyse and make enemies easier to defeat.
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Movement and Dodge Mechanic
In a Metroidvania game like The Last Faith, how your character moves are really important. The developers have made it pretty simple to give it that old-school vibe, but they also added a dodge move. This dodge is fair and makes you invincible for a short time, so it’s useful for dealing with different situations in the game. It’s not as fancy as dodging in games like Metroid Dread, but it fits well with The Last Faith’s retro style.
When it comes to playing the game, The Last Faith is enjoyable and not all about going super-fast. It’s not as smooth as games like Metroid Dread in terms of movement. You can dodge out-of-attack animations, which seems to be a cool feature. It gives you more control during fights, even though some might think it’s like a get-out-of-trouble move. It’s handy for dodging strategically, especially when you’re using big weapons.
Souls-like Aspects
In The Last Faith, they’ve been using the term Souls-like to describe the game, and it actually fits pretty well. This means the game has checkpoints, enemies that come back when you rest, and it’s moderately challenging. The gameplay in The Last Faith is a bit like traditional Metroidvania, focusing on close combat and requiring you to approach enemies carefully.
The Last Faith Story and Setting
The game takes place in the mysterious Dark City of Mythringal, where you’ll explore eerie, Gothic landscapes in a Victorian-inspired world. This unique realm blends magic and science, and ancient religious beliefs shape its laws. However, the city has fallen on hard times, losing its former glory and its history disappearing from the pages of library books. The city has recently endured a civil war and now faces a deadly disease that’s corrupting it.
Our main character in this world is a man named Eric who wakes up with no recollection of his memories. He becomes entangled in an intricate enigma that defies him to solve. He unearths historical tales and hidden secrets as he explores them further. These highlight a long-standing struggle between real heroes and impostor leaders. A mystery race known as the Cold Ones, who are surrounded by legends and songs, magic spells, and ancient groups are all involved, along with some actual and some phoney deities. Few courageous people have the courage to discuss them.
The Last Faith Trailer
The most recent trailer for The Last Faith gives you a taste of the game’s intense action, epic boss battles, and the freedom to personalise your experience, all wrapped up in the rich story of the game’s world.
The Last Faith: A Potential Game Changer in the 2023 Metroidvania Genre?
From all the trailers and beta versions, this game appears to be the best Metroidvania pixel art game of 2023. When comparing it to the Blasphemous and Bloodborne, it shows many significant similarities. Its other features also look great, so we can consider it a strong contender for the best game in the Metroidvania genre for 2023. However, it’s still too early to make a final judgement, as there is still a week remaining until its release date. Only then can we determine the game’s impact and whether it will satisfy the gaming community on a larger scale or not.