Game news In this Baldur’s Gate 3-style RPG, you can recruit anyone! I tested Unforetold: Witchstone for you
The JV editorial team was able to try Unforetold: Witchstone, a C-RPG in the vein of Baldur’s Gate. Available exclusively on PC in early access since January 25, 2023, the project has something to be promising.
Baldur’s Gate 3 had the effect of a bomb when it was released in August 2023. With rave reviews, the baby from Larian Studios was crowned with the title of GOTY at the Game Awards, proving to the whole world that the C- RPG was not doomed to remain a “niche” genre. Exactly, Unforetold: Witchstone, available since January 25, 2023 in early access on Steam, is part of this lineage. The game invites you to dive into the lands of Kalsundia, a world where medieval fantasy mixes with new technologies. For regulars, you will not be lost since we find the traditional D20 rolls (20-sided dice) to determine whether an action will be successful or not.
For now, when you start the adventure, three races are offered to you: humans, dwarves and elves. As usual with the genre, each race has its specificities (humans can, for example, become a pro at stealth or even a thief). Afterwards, it’s the usual process: choosing the skills, abilities and history of our character (which influence our statistics and passive skills). For my part, I am focusing on a man, a former charlatan, specialized in manipulation and intimidation.
Once your hero is created, you are free to go wherever you want and type discussions left and right (please note, the title is currently only available in English but French will be added in the long term). Unforetold: Witchstone openly describes itself as a sandbox RPG, and don’t expect a finely crafted narration like Baldur’s Gate 3. During my adventure, for example, I had to find an artifact for a character to let me access the city’s sewers. I then had the choice of helping the owner of the object or intimidating him. For my part, I therefore chose the easy way by extorting the treasure from him.
A very (too permissive?) game
Still with this perspective of freedom, the developers promise a significant number of options and it shows. For example, it is possible to recruit any NPC into your team (as long as you can convince him). To help you with your eloquence rolls, you can try to learn more about your target’s character beforehand. Your approach will then be different if the person opposite is religious, courageous, etc.. This system, for example, allowed me to take a train to Howling Valley (one of the towns) without having a ticket. Indeed, I simply managed to persuade the controller to join my team. However, not all residents are equal. I ended up noticing that the companions recruited at random are much less powerful than those we meet in the story. The game promises to react to each of your choices and this involves factions that hate you or cities that transform.
You will have understood, C-RPG obliges, you have a ton of possible approaches, but which can also quickly lose the player. Here, there is no classic quest system since the adventure takes place in a freer universe made up of stages and events. Advantage for some, disadvantage for others, for the moment, no indication is displayed on the map. This mechanic forces you to search every corner and chat with as many NPCs as possible to find your way, which may put off some. And when your diplomacy is no longer enough, you will have to take up your weapons.
To arms, faithful companions!
The combat in Unforetold: Witchstone is a mix of several influences. It takes place in a turn-based manner and like Darkest Dungeon, the initiative of your character and your companions defines their position in the queue to attack. During your turn, different attacks and abilities are activated using a token. There are 2 types: one for standard actions, the other for bonus actions. The battles are then dynamic since it is possible to move, attack, use a bonus skill and move again to anticipate our next turn.
Of course, some confrontations can be avoided if you are sufficiently discreet. Even if this remains a good idea, it can still be improved at the moment – in particular because of a lack of information on our enemies (in particular a cone of vision). It is also possible to carry out assassinations to progress without being spotted, but in melee, it doesn’t work very well. In this configuration, enemies systematically turn around as soon as you approach their backs. The title also has its limits when the confrontations involve a certain number of individuals. The battles can be messy and if you’re not careful, it’s possible to attack your temporary allies (but not your traveling companions).
In conclusion, even though it’s still in its early stages, Unforetold: Witchstone really shows promise. With its three towns, three dungeons and numerous quests, you will easily have more than ten hours of it. Each of your actions will also have consequences because it changes not only how you are perceived, but also how people and factions perceive each other and interact with each other. Moreover, the game has already revealed a solid roadmap which foresees only good things for its future.