Developed by the team at Datadyne, Forge of the Fae takes players on a magical journey to an alternate 1800s Ireland, but this isn’t your grandma’s Ireland – this one’s packed with steampunk tech, ancient magic and more fae shenanigans than leprechaun convention.
And to top it all off. It’s wrapped up in a gorgeous pixel-art RPG package.
The story of Forge of the Fae revolves around the ever-tense human-fae conflict, with a dash of “ancient power awakening in the shadows” to keep things spicy.
You’ll step into the boots of Fiora, a young inventor whose decisions will shape the entire narrative. No big deal, right? Just the fate of the world in your hands. Classic RPG fare.
I recently dove into the Steam demo and got exactly what I hoped for: a turn-based combat system paired with some satisfying puzzle-solving.
Think of it as your favourite RPG comfort food with a sprinkle of new-school flair.
Visually, Forge of the Fae is a true love letter to the 16-bit era, with pixel art that could charm the fae right out of their hiding spots. The Celtic-inspired lore is rich, and the day-night cycle adds a nice touch.
But to be fair, the demo wasn’t without its quirks. For starters, the default run speed had me moving like I was first in a marathon – seriously, I half expected her to rocket off into the stratosphere.
But seeing as it’s still so new and gorgeous, I’ll cut the demo and its high-octane run speed some slack.
Playing the Forge of the Fae demo felt like revisiting old friends, evoking memories of classics like Chrono Trigger or even the more recent Sea of Stars.
Yet, it still manages to carve out its own identity with a mix of fae magic, steampunk vibes, and rich storytelling. And if the full game delivers on its promises of multiple endings and deep customisation, consider me already saving it a spot in my gaming queue.
BOTTOM LINE:
While it’s not perfect yet, the Forge of the Fae demo gives players a tantalising glimpse of what’s to come, and if you’re a fan of retro-modern pixel art RPGs with a fae-tastic twist, Forge of the Fae is definitely one to watch.