Tag Archives: storytelling

Review – Fated: The Silent Oath

Review – Fated: The Silent Oath

by
Andarius8 | May 22, 2016

Rating: 

Rating: ★★★★½ 

Platforms:    Windows PC, Steam
Device(s):    Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, and Playstation VR (VR Required + Gamepad Required)
Game Name:    Fated: The Silent Oath
Publisher(s):    Frima Studio
Developer(s):    Frima Studio
Genre(s):    Adventure, VR Only
Release Date:    April 28th, 2016

Fated – What We Think:
Fated, is a VR Only immersive adventure from Frima Studio, inviting us to explore a colorfully animated world filled with Norse mythology.  Firma Studio, is known for creating outstanding digital products for world renowned clients such as Electronic Arts, Activision, Warner, Konami, and LEGO.

As a Norseman recently returned from the brink of death through a bargain with a goddess, which sets a key game mechanic in place, you begin your journey. In the early stages, a natural flowing guide brings you through a tutorial series of experiences, while at the same time mundane interactions builds your connections to your family. This felt primarily to me a storytelling adventure, and -v when I finally thought I reached my limits to the slow natural storytelling pace – the action cranked suddenly up to a 10, bringing some action adventure to the story.

02ActionBegins

Horse and Cart:
Given this game is designed for not only the HTC Vive which we reviewed it on, but also for the Oculus Rift, it is not surprising it uses a traditional gamepad controller which works well with an Xbox Controller. Hopefully, a future update will take advantage of the HTC Vive, and eventually Oculus Touch controllers. All too often I found I tried to flick the reins with the controller when I could only use the Left, Right analog triggers. Your young niece is full of questions, and for this interaction natural gestures work amazingly well to immerse you in the story.

03LossCannotBeEscaped

LOSS OF SOMEONE IN YOUR LIFE IS MORE PROFOUND IN VR
We spent 88 minutes inside (covering all current content), slowly forming the opening bonds with the characters and becoming invested. As a result, it is not surprising that at moments of the storytellers choosing I felt a profound loss when something happened to one of my friends or family.  Having to naturally answer questions that no one should have to answer with natural gestures vs selected text, or prompts, keeps us immersed to the point of potentially drowning us with emotions. Adventures like these are not for the faint of heart.

03Inside

Mythologies, puzzles, and magic are blended to create a delightfully amazing adventure, and the blend of both exterior and interior environments ensures that we truly feel we are exploring a full and complete world vs a small set environment.

Fated felt to me more like a story than a game, but a truly interactive game which invests us deeply and will pay back our time with wonderful memories. Do not allow yourself to get bored during the early moments, embrace each interaction and know once the action starts it will be truly engaging for these connections.

Fated: The Silent Oath is available via Steam.

Rating: ★★★★½ 

Watch the trailer for Fated: The Silent Oath below: