In a year overflowing with extensive RPGs, the emergence of Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn by A44 Games offers a refreshing alternative. While 80+ hour game experiences have undoubtedly been immersive, this Action RPG provides a compact yet engaging adventure. Flintlock does not capture attention solely due to its shorter length but also because it integrates innovative world design, fluid combat, and a distinctive style that feels unique even amidst familiar elements from games like Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice and Star Wars Jedi. This synthesis offers a much-needed change of pace in the current gaming landscape.
Combat Evolution and Mechanics
Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn is a follow-up to A44 Games' previous work on Ashen, embracing aspects of FromSoftware's "Souls" formula. Unlike the slower combat dynamics in similar titles, Flintlock opts for a quicker pace, eliminating stamina management for dodging and attacks. Players who perish in the game lose all their currency—termed Reputation—but have a chance to reclaim it if they can reach their place of death successfully.
Building a Reputation System
The agility of the combat extends to the Reputation system. Reputation is not immediately rewarded upon defeating enemies; instead, it accumulates in a base pool that can be cashed out with multipliers for unique combat and traversal feats. Sliding down slopes or perfectly dodging attacks amplifies these multipliers. Different attacks, such as using a pistol or securing headshots with a secondary firearm, add to this combo. Maintaining a combo immensely enhances the rewards, though a single hit will reset and immediately cash out the base reputation.
This system excels by encouraging diverse combat strategies, although it sometimes falters due to the enemy design. Off-screen snipers or explosive foes lurking around corners can lead to unexpected and frustrating difficulty spikes. Nonetheless, the system effectively promotes a dynamic and engaging combat experience.
Intricate Combat Dynamics
Flintlock's combat system balances proactive and reactive gameplay. The protagonist, Nor, not only wields an axe and a pistol but also has Enki, a mystical god, assisting her. Enki can curse enemies, creating a stagger meter for stripping an enemy's armor. This makes blocking, parrying, and timing attacks crucial. Nor's pistol, with its limited ammunition, becomes essential for defense and building stagger meters alongside Enki’s abilities.
Scenarios involving gods add layers of complexity and excitement, showcasing the system's potential. Unfortunately, repetitive enemy designs hinder this, leaving some confrontations feeling less impactful.
The World of Kian: Exploration and Challenges
Acrobatic Antics and World Design
Flintlock's world, Kian, is vertically intricate, utilizing Nor's acrobatics with crucial double-jumping and air-dashing mechanics. This design enhances the flow and exploration in its three open-world zones, complemented by visually striking vistas that direct players using natural landmarks. Activating Rifts provides both shortcuts and vantage points for platforming, enriching the traversal experience.
However, the absence of these Rifts sometimes reveals limitations in the platforming mechanics. Nor's movements, while mechanically sound, occasionally feel floaty or imprecise, detracting from the otherwise fluid platforming experience.
Narrative and Character Depth
Despite an intriguing premise of a decaying barrier between the living and the dead and an ensuing undead siege, the story's potential remains underexplored. Key plot moments and character backgrounds are often sidelined, focusing primarily on Nor and Enki's evolving friendship. Secondary characters receive minimal development, reducing the emotional impact and depth of the narrative. The limited exploration of the world’s history and its current state leaves some story aspects feeling shallow and untapped.
Engaging Side Content
Flintlock shines in its side content, from Inaya Shrines boosting Nor's health to Enki's feathers enhancing his combat effectiveness. Clearing out Hamlets unlocks additional healing, side quests, and equips Nor with impactful gear, including a game-changing flamethrower replacing the secondary firearm. Though Flintlock's game world is relatively small, taking around 10 hours to complete with most side activities, this compact design ensures meaningful rewards for exploration.
On completion, Nor gains various tools yet encounters few opportunities to utilize them fully. With only four major bosses and a handful of Revenant mini-bosses, the limited resource replenishment means changing gear is costly, urging players to experiment in subsequent playthroughs rather than the initial run.
Final Impressions
Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn, despite its shorter runtime and some friction points, remains a compelling Action RPG. It excels with engaging combat mechanics, enjoyable platforming, and an enticing world design. A44 Games' creation may not always reach expected heights, but it stands out in an RPG-saturated market. Flintlock offers an experience worthy of a second look, potentially even multiple playthroughs, as players explore its diverse combat styles and side content rewards.
After playing Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn on PC, thanks to a code from the publisher, it’s clear that the game exemplifies the idea that simplicity can often lead to a more impactful experience, delivering an RPG adventure that stays with you well after finishing it.