Item: Drova: Forsaken Kin
Rating: 88
Author: Dinsun

Our Site Score

88/100

Drova - Forsaken Kin is a breath of fresh air for RPG fans who are tired of being treated like they’ve never played a game before. It is unapologetically difficult and demands that you actually pay attention to the world around you. The lack of a minimap might sound daunting, but it forces you to engage with the beautiful, grim pixel art in a way that most modern games don't. You start to recognize trees, rocks, and ruins as actual landmarks rather than just background noise.

The combat is the real star here. It feels weighty and deliberate. You can't just button-mash your way through a pack of wolves; you have to manage your stamina and build your 'flow' to survive. The Celtic setting provides a hauntingly beautiful backdrop to the violence, and the faction system actually feels like it has weight. Your decisions don't just change a few lines of dialogue; they change your entire playstyle. If you’re looking for a 'hardcore' RPG that fits in your pocket, this is it.

Reviewed on: Tue Apr 23 2024

Dinsun Review

Finally, a game that doesn't treat me like a child. No glowing lines on the floor, no map icons telling me where the fun is—you actually have to read the dialogue and look at the landmarks. It’s brutal; you’ll die to a couple of wolves if you aren't careful. The atmosphere is thick and miserable in the best way possible. It’s refreshing to see a modern game embrace this level of friction. It won’t be for everyone—most 'gamers' today will probably quit in an hour—but for those of us who remember Gothic or early Morrowind, this is the real deal.

Overall Stats

Pros & Cons

No hand-holding; pure exploration
Deep, meaningful faction system
Handcrafted, detailed world

Extremely high difficulty curve
Visuals are intentional but dated
Lack of map can be frustrating for some

Technical Report

Performance: Polished for a mobile port; touch controls are surprisingly decent for an ARPG.

Accessibility:

Subtitles
Difficulty Adjustments (limited)

Audience Fit

Buy if: You miss the days when RPGs were difficult and exploration felt earned.

Skip if: You need a minimap and objective markers to enjoy a game.

Similar Games:

Gothic
Elex
Outward

Reviewer Context

Reviewer: Dinsun, conservative critic
Hardware: iPhone 15 Pro
Playtime: 25 hours
Status: Deep into Mid-game

The Game

Available on: iPhone, iPad, iPod

6754686697

Free16+★0 0 reviews

Author : Deck13 Interactive

Pubish Date : Invalid Date

Last Update Date : Invalid Date

Support Languages : English, French, German, Korean, Polish, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Traditional Chinese

Genres :

Version Invalid Date

Requires iOS 15.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
"Drova - Forsaken Kin" is a pixel art Action-RPG inspired by the grim dark classics of the genre and the mystical allure of Celtic mythology.
Play the first area for free before you decide to buy the game.
"Drova - Forsaken Kin" is a pixel art Action-RPG inspired by the grim dark classics of the genre and the mystical allure of Celtic mythology. Dive into a handcrafted open world where your choices and actions shape the environment. A society has discovered the power of a dead empire: to capture the spirits that govern nature and rule over them instead. However, the anger of the remaining spirits divided them. Where will you stand?
Forge your own path around dangerous landscapes, fulfill tasks, trade, gather and craft equipment. You start with nothing and as a nobody. Study your environment, and use the surrounding clues to reveal mysteries and grow stronger. Only your flow of battle stands between you and certain death.
Join one of two factions, each with their own values and in pursuit of their own goals. Your choice will be relevant for the rest of the game and impact the entire story. Everything comes with a price. Meet teachers and learn numerous abilities, but expect foes and betrayals too.
Explore nature and seal the power of spirits that rule it. Learn how to use them in your favor, but be prepared to battle their channeled anger in the world surrounding you.
KEY FEATURES
- Free navigation in a dynamic hand crafted open world
- Flow based combat system with different combos and weapons
- Tailored story based on your actions and dialogues
- Join one of two factions to survive in this world
- Learn and master various abilities to create your own playstyle
- Fully adjusted Mobile controls which you can customize
- Controller Support

Ratings & Reviews

N/A out of 5 with N/A Counts

Age Rating 16+

Drova - Forsaken Kin is a gritty, old-school Action-RPG that throws players into a handcrafted world steeped in Celtic myth. In a land where a dying empire once enslaved the spirits of nature, you start as a nobody and must fight to survive. The game eschews modern hand-holding, removing quest markers and minimaps in favor of exploration and environmental clues. Players must choose between two rival factions, each with its own philosophy on how to handle the remaining spirits. With a deep combat system that rewards 'flow' and a world that reacts to your choices, Drova is a challenging throwback to the golden age of grimdark RPGs.

Features

Handcrafted open world with no quest markers

Deep combat system centered on 'flow'

Branching narrative with meaningful faction choices

Atmospheric pixel art and Celtic mythology setting

Complex crafting and equipment systems

Tips

Survival Without Markers

Since there are no quest markers, you must listen to NPC dialogue and read your journal carefully. Pay attention to landmarks like standing stones or specific ruins mentioned by characters to find your way.

Promotion Videos

Drova - Forsaken Kin Reveal Trailer

Gameplays

Flow-Based Combat

Combat is about rhythm and timing. Chaining attacks increases your flow, allowing you to unleash powerful abilities, but one mistake can be fatal in this unforgiving world.

Faction-Driven Story

Align yourself with one of two major factions. This choice determines your available skills, equipment, and how the world's population perceives you.

Q&A

Drova is designed to be a challenging experience, but mastering the combat flow and crafting better gear will naturally make the journey more manageable.