Info about Forsaken Realms: Vahrin's Call:

Official game description:
Utilise weapons, armour, abilities, alchemy ingredients, traps and anything else you can lay your hands on within an entirely classless character progression system.
Whether you want to be a nimble-footed archer flinging fireballs between arrows or face your foes, toe to toe as an axe-wielding whirlwind of death; the choice is yours.
The Vale of Vahrin is beset by threats from both within and without, the perfect place for a mercenary in search of their next contract.
Rival mercenaries, bandits, monstrous beasts and even hideous creatures infest the Vale of Vahrin, ready and waiting for their bounties to be claimed.
Master intense real-time action combat and adapt to every challenge, ensuring that no enemy, no matter how powerful, can stand in your way.
Aid the survivors in their personal tales of grief, love and even humour, as they fight back against the overwhelming odds facing Vahrin.
Traverse a world steeped in beauty and mystery, from overgrown city streets to magical caverns and murky bogs, each hand-crafted to test your resolve.
Scour every corner; leaving no stone unturned in your quest to discover hidden treasures, unravel lost mysteries, and claim the spoils of Vahrin for your own.
The city of Vahrin found itself overwhelmed by a swarm of the grotesque, insect-like creatures known as khraiax.
In response, many of the Free Cities, united under the banner of the Combined Order, sent their armies to confront this terrible threat.
But victory was not to be theirs, for while the khraiax stood little chance against the might of the combined forces, a far greater danger rose from beneath the city’s streets.
Vahrin’s king lies dead, along with thousands of soldiers who marched to the city’s aid. Now only its most stalwart defenders remain, desperately fighting to reclaim their beloved home.
Vahrin’s Call stands as its own complete tale, yet it forms just one part of a sweeping epic narrative that spans nations and continents.
What begins as smaller, isolated struggles becomes part of a greater saga, where every character’s trial, every kingdom’s war, and every act of courage or betrayal weaves the tapestry of the unfolding story throughout the world.
• An entirely original, handcrafted high fantasy universe (No generative AI).
• Rid the Vale of Vahrin of the many vicious threats that plague it.
• Seek out the many puzzles, challenges and secrets hidden throughout the world.
• Customise your armour, weapons, spells, potions, traps and everything else at your disposal to develop your ideal playstyle.
• Large array of character creation options.
• Full voice acting (English) (No generative AI).
• Full controller support.

Release date: Jul 27, 2026

Categories: Action RPG, Open-World Exploration, Classless Character Progression, Real-time Combat, Crafting, Character Customization, Third-Person Perspective, Nostalgic Old-School RPG

Feature scans:
- Proton/Linux: score 40; verdict: Mostly Works with Tweaks; summary: Only one Linux-focused review was found among the provided dataset. It reports running the game on Steam Deck with Proton-GE and the Optiscaler mod, achieving 4K 120fps with some traversal stutter. No other Linux players reported crashes, anti-cheat blockers, or severe incompatibility. The evidence suggests the game is playable on Linux/Proton after minor tinkering (custom Proton and a third-party mod), but the small sample size limits consensus.
- Steam Deck: score 50; verdict: Requires Proton-GE and external upscaling tools; missing FSR and proper resolution support.; summary: The game lacks critical AMD-friendly features (FSR, native 16:10 resolution) and requires users to apply Proton-GE and external upscaling tools for acceptable performance on Steam Deck. Performance and stuttering can be mitigated but not out-of-box.

- Hardware Profile:
  - Summary: Performance varies significantly by VRAM tier: high-end (16GB+) and low-end (<8GB) users report positive experiences, while mid-range 12-15GB VRAM users encounter frequent performance problems, and 8-11GB VRAM users have mixed results.
  - Sample size: 89 (36% coverage)
  - Audience skew: Review sample is heavily weighted toward Windows PCs with 10GB+ VRAM.
  - Windows 12-15GB VRAM (negative, 43 reports): Frequent reports of low FPS (30-45 at 1440p) and poor optimization, especially on AMD GPUs, with no FSR support.
  - Windows 16GB+ VRAM (positive, 15 reports): Most players report smooth performance at high settings, with stable 100+ FPS on high-end hardware.
  - Windows 8-11GB VRAM (mixed, 14 reports): Some players achieve acceptable performance with tweaks, but others experience severe stuttering and require low settings.
  - Windows <8GB VRAM (positive, 14 reports): Players on lower VRAM (4-8GB) often report good performance and no major issues after adjusting settings.
  - Caveats: 89 of 244 reviews expose hardware metadata.; Review sample is heavily weighted toward Windows PCs with 10GB+ VRAM.
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $15.00 - $25.00
  - Reasoning: The evidence shows a split: some reviewers find $30-35 too high, with one stating $20 is the maximum, while another considers $30 worth it. This suggests that the fair base-game price lies between $20 and $30, but the negative sentiment and calls for discounts indicate a tendency toward the lower end. Considering the indie nature and the prevalence of 'wait for sale' comments, a range of $15 to $25 represents a community consensus for a fair price without expecting deep discounts.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 30.0h
  - Story completion: 15.0h
  - Session length: 2.5h
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: Story completion is supported by explicit claims of 15 hours for the main story and some side quests, as well as the Japanese review stating main story alone takes about 15 hours. Game completion is estimated at 30 hours from the Japanese review which includes thorough side quests, and another review mentions about 20 hours for base content with longer for collectibles—consistent with a 30-hour full completion. Session length is directly reported as 2.5 hours of nonstop play. No quantitative data exists for endgame activities, so endgame is null.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The game has a rough first hour or two due to poor tutorials, bugs, and navigation issues, but becomes enjoyable as progression, exploration, and story open up.
  - Stance: Clicks after
  - Anchor: Deeper into the game
  - Time to anchor: 1h 30m
  - Friction: poor tutorial explanations; buggy climbing; unexplained hotkeys; tedious respawning map; crashes; boring early combat
  - Unlock drivers: engaging progression system; addictive exploration; improving story; great level design; satisfying equipment progression; flexible skill respec
  - Conditions: first hour or two; early game navigation issues; tutorial deficiencies; crashes; difficulty on Suicidal; lack of enemy variety
- Player Archetypes:
  - Old-School RPG Enthusiast (buy)
    - Motivation: Nostalgia and reliving the experience of classic RPGs
    - Playstyle: Exploration-focused, enjoys character customization, tolerant of jank
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: old-school fantasy action RPG fans
    - Reference games: Gothic; Fable; Outward; Risen; Kingdoms of Amalur
  - Casual Relaxation Seeker (buy)
    - Motivation: Unwinding and simple, stress-free fun
    - Playstyle: Casual, adventure-focused, light combat, relaxed pacing
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Performance-Conscious Buyer (no buy)
    - Motivation: Value for money and a polished, bug-free experience
    - Playstyle: Not applicable - they advise against purchasing or playing currently
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: no buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Hardcore Soulslike / High-Standards Gamer (no buy)
    - Motivation: Seeking challenging, mechanically deep, and visually polished action RPGs
    - Playstyle: Not applicable - they do not engage with this game
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: no buy
    - Labels: hardcore Soulslike fan; tryhard de soulslike
    - Reference games: Elden Ring; Soulslike


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Game is highly enjoyable (weight 0.92): Multiple reviews praise the game for being fun, interesting, and well-made, highlighting enjoyment and solid gameplay.
- Exploration is rewarding (weight 0.64): Exploration is consistently described as rewarding with hidden secrets and collectibles, enhancing the experience.
- Combat is interesting (weight 0.47): Combat is noted as interesting and satisfying, often described as fun and flexible.
- Great performance (weight 0.41): Performance is generally praised, with smooth framerates even on high-end hardware and DLSS support.
- Nostalgic early 2000s feel (weight 0.39): The game evokes nostalgia for early 2000s CRPGs like Gothic and Fable, appealing to fans of those titles.
- Good value for money (weight 0.31): Players feel the game offers good value for its price and recommend it.
- Flexible progression system (weight 0.26): Players appreciate the classless skill progression with free respec, offering flexibility in character builds.
- Good voice acting (weight 0.25): Voice acting is praised as surprisingly solid and well done, adding to the overall quality.
- Beautiful world design (weight 0.18): The world is described as beautiful and gorgeous, contributing to immersion.
- Developer passion evident (weight 0.16): Developers are noted for their passion and love for the project, enhancing trust in quality.
- Progression satisfying (weight 0.16): The progression system is rewarding and enjoyable, keeping players engaged.

Common complaints:
- Combat feels clunky (weight 0.87): Combat is repeatedly described as clunky, janky, and unrewarding. This applies to melee, movement, and overall gameplay feel, with specific complaints about unrewarding mechanics and rough animations.
- Feels like early access (weight 0.78): The game feels like an early access or alpha build, not a proper 1.0 release. Players suggest it should have stayed in early access until more polish was applied.
- Ultrawide resolution missing (weight 0.52): There is no support for 3440x1440 or other ultrawide resolutions, and some players are locked at 1080p. This limits display options and makes the game blurry or unplayable for many users.
- Graphics are poor (weight 0.51): Graphics are considered mid, outdated for the price, and blurry even at max 4K settings. Visual quality fails to meet expectations for a paid release.
- Needs optimization (weight 0.37): The game lacks optimization and needs more development and refining. Players report it is not ready for release.
- UI is clunky (weight 0.36): The UI is a mess, especially inventory, skills, and menus. It feels clunky and badly designed, needing an overhaul.
- Overpriced for quality (weight 0.29): The price is considered too high for the quality and content offered. Multiple reviews state the game is expensive for what it delivers.
- Story lacks engagement (weight 0.28): The story is lackluster, not engaging from the start, and fails to improve. It is a weak point that does not hook players.
- Performance stutters (weight 0.22): Performance is poor with stuttering, despite low hardware requirements. Optimization issues affect gameplay smoothness.
- No FSR support (weight 0.21): There is no FSR or frame generation support, limiting performance options for players who rely on upscaling.
- Skill system flawed (weight 0.2): The skill leveling system is deceptive; it requires skill points to level skills, which defeats the purpose. Players find it pointless and contradictory.
- Text-based inventory (weight 0.2): The inventory system is text-based with no icons, described as the worst seen. It is a significant usability issue.
- Indie team jank (weight 0.18): Players acknowledge some jank from a small indie team but still find it a negative. This is a secondary concern compared to other issues.

Gameplay feedback:
- Usage-based skill system (weight 0.66): The skill and level-up system requires using skills to improve them, then spending skill points to unlock higher tiers. This usage-based progression is reminiscent of Bethesda games.
- Nostalgic old-school RPG (weight 0.59): Multiple reviews describe this as an old-school or early 2000s-style RPG with simple mechanics that feels nostalgic. It evokes comparisons to classic games like Gothic and Fable.
- Fable-like atmosphere (weight 0.59): Many reviewers compare the game to Fable in terms of atmosphere, gameplay, humor, and even art style. It also draws parallels to Gothic, Kingdoms of Amalur, and classic WoW.
- Rewarding exploration focus (weight 0.55): Players praise the exploration-focused design with rewards like hidden areas, notes, and side quests. The world encourages curiosity and patience.
- Condensed map design (weight 0.35): The game has small map sizes with a linear-level structure and area-based open world, not a huge open world. It's a condensed RPG that doesn't require a huge time sink.
- Classless action RPG (weight 0.3): The game is a third-person classless action RPG with a freeform build system and large maps for exploration. Players can customize their character without being locked into a class.
- Soulslike combat elements (weight 0.3): Combat has soulslike elements like rolling, parrying, lock-on, bonfires, and estus flasks. However, there is no soul collecting or meaningful progress loss on death.
- Weighty movement feel (weight 0.28): Character movement is described as weighty, inertia-based, and sometimes scuffed, especially when jumping. This can feel clunky but may be intentional for the old-school feel.
- Usage-based progression (weight 0.28): Equipment and character evolution are tied to usage, so using weapons and skills more improves them. This encourages players to experiment with different gear.
- Text-based inventory UI (weight 0.28): The inventory system is text-based without icons or visuals, and the white text can be hard to read. This is a common criticism about the UI.
- Varied enemies and weapons (weight 0.22): There is a good variety of enemies and weapons, with different types of mobs to fight. This keeps combat interesting throughout the game.
- Free respec anytime (weight 0.22): The classless progression system allows respec at any time, giving players freedom to change their build without penalty.
- Crafting and alchemy (weight 0.21): The game includes potion and magic mechanics, as well as crafting and alchemy. Players can create and upgrade items to aid in combat.
- Humor and storytelling (weight 0.2): The game has humor and environmental storytelling through notes and side quests. This adds charm and depth to the world.
- Short playtime length (weight 0.13): The game is a small RPG with a playtime of 15-30 hours, making it a manageable commitment for players who prefer shorter experiences.
- Mercenary story premise (weight 0.12): The player character is a mercenary aiding a country under attack. This provides a clear narrative motivation for the player's actions.
- Full voice acting (weight 0.12): The game is fully voiced, which adds to the polish and immersion of the experience.
- Difficulty settings (weight 0.11): The game includes difficulty settings, allowing players to tailor the challenge to their preference.
- Day/night cycle (weight 0.11): A day/night cycle is present, which may affect gameplay and atmosphere in the open world.
- Limited hair options (weight 0.11): Character customization is limited, especially for male hair options. This may disappoint players who want more cosmetic choices.

Performance notes:
- Solid on many systems (weight 0.88): Many players report solid, great, or flawless performance on mid-range rigs, laptops, and even Linux with Proton.
- Excellent performance on high-end (weight 0.86): Multiple reviewers report high and stable FPS on high-end and mid-range systems, often exceeding 100 FPS at max settings or 70+ FPS on high settings with DLSS Quality.
- Low FPS on medium rigs (weight 0.73): Several players report low FPS (35-50) on medium settings or despite having decent hardware, indicating poor optimization for many configurations.
- Stuttering issues persist (weight 0.53): Frequent stuttering and hitching are reported, including nonstop stuttering when moving camera, even on systems that meet requirements.
- Game requires optimization (weight 0.38): Multiple reviewers state the game needs optimization and is unoptimized, with explicit mentions of optimization problems.
- No FSR or XeSS support (weight 0.17): The game only supports DLSS, lacking FSR and XeSS, which causes performance issues on Intel handhelds.
- Visual quality issues (weight 0.16): Some players report blurry visuals and glittery textures, possibly related to upscaling or settings.
- Low hardware utilization (weight 0.11): One reviewer notes that CPU and GPU are not fully utilized, suggesting potential overhead or bottleneck issues.
- High hardware requirements (weight 0.11): One reviewer mentions high hardware requirements, which may contribute to performance issues on modest systems.
- V-sync causes micro stutters (weight 0.1): Turning off v-sync fixes micro stutters for one reviewer, indicating a possible sync-related performance hit.
- Shader preloading broken (weight 0.1): Shader preloading seems ineffective, leading to stuttering during gameplay according to one player.
- Poor handheld performance (weight 0.1): Handheld performance is rough, likely due to high requirements and lack of optimization for mobile chips.
- Low settings unenjoyable (weight 0.1): The game is playable on low/medium presets but not pleasant, indicating minimum spec offers poor experience.
- Second screen boosts FPS (weight 0.09): Connecting a second screen doubled FPS for one reviewer, suggesting a specific driver or display bug.
- No frame generation (weight 0.09): One reviewer notes the absence of frame generation (FG), missing a key performance enhancer.
- Steam Deck resolution bug (weight 0.09): The Steam Deck renders at 1280x720 instead of the native 1280x800, missing out on additional vertical space.
- DLSS improves performance (weight 0.09): Performance is not great, but DLSS helps, showing reliance on upscaling for smooth gameplay.
- Customizable settings help (weight 0.08): One reviewer suggests that customizable graphics options can help address performance, implying the game is modifiable.
- Likely Unreal Engine 5 (weight 0.08): A reviewer suspects the game uses Unreal Engine 5, which is known for demanding performance.
- Few minor stutters (weight 0.08): One reviewer mentions only a couple of stutters, indicating minor but not game-breaking issues.

Recommendations:
- Wait for performance fixes (weight 0.97): Many reviewers advise waiting for performance patches or improvements before purchasing. The game is not recommended in its current state due to bugs and optimization problems.
- Strongly not recommended now (weight 0.81): Several reviews strongly advise against purchasing the game now or at all, citing jankiness, unpolished state, or modern standards. Some compare it negatively to alternatives.
- Highly recommended for fans (weight 0.66): Multiple reviews recommend the game positively, especially for fans of old-school RPGs or indie ARPGs. Players find it worth the price for the genre.
- Good value for price (weight 0.51): Multiple reviews find the game very good and well worth the price, especially for an indie title. The $30 price point is seen as fair for the content.
- Great for calm exploration (weight 0.49): Several reviews recommend the game for players who enjoy calm exploration, patience, and a relaxing old-school RPG experience. The exploration world is highlighted.
- More soul than AAA (weight 0.45): Some reviews praise the game's soul and charm compared to AAA remakes, calling it better than big titles. Review bombing is mentioned, and the game is defended.
- Pass if not classic fan (weight 0.45): Several reviews recommend passing or saving for later, especially if players dislike classic feel, slow pace, or fast-paced skill combat. Not worth $30 for some.
- Not worth full price (weight 0.41): Some reviews feel the game is not worth full price currently but worth buying to support developers or on sale. Others think it is overpriced at $30.
- Great for Fable fans (weight 0.38): Several fans of the Fable series recommend the game for its similar graphics, skill system, and nostalgic feel. It is considered worth the price for those players.
- Tolerate jank for charm (weight 0.25): Some reviews suggest the game is worth trying if players are okay with jank and an unpolished state. The game has potential and charm despite issues.
- For eurojank fans (weight 0.2): Several recommendations come from fans of original Gothic, Two Worlds, 00s eurojank, and forgotten RPGs. The game hits a nostalgic chord for those genres.
- A classic gem (weight 0.2): A couple of reviews strongly recommend the game, calling it a classic gem and a must-play. It is completely sold to those players.
- Lacks ultrawide support (weight 0.18): A few reviews note the lack of ultrawide monitor support, specifically 3440x1440 and 32:9, leading to refunds. FSR and FG implementation is requested.
- Takes time to hook (weight 0.18): Some reviewers mention the game takes a few hours to hook players but improves after the early hours. Patience is required to enjoy the experience.
- Recommended to try (weight 0.16): A couple of simple recommendations to try the game, noting an English barrier is low due to minimal dialogue. It is accessible to non-native speakers.
- Worth keeping after fixes (weight 0.1): One review suggests the game is worth keeping but better to wait for optimization improvements to enjoy fully. Another thinks it is worth checking out despite negatives.
- Runs well and fun (weight 0.1): One review recommends the game, stating it is fun and runs well. This is a positive outlier regarding performance.

Other player notes:
No miscpoints

Emotions:
- Disappointment (weight 0.18): Players expressed disappointment due to clunky movement, poor performance, and outdated animations. The combat and movement were described as basic and clunky, and the lack of XeSS support on handheld caused choppy and stuttery gameplay, contributing to an unfinished look.
- Frustration (weight 0.14): Frustration stemmed from overly easy difficulty even on the highest setting, inability to navigate the main menu with mouse and keyboard, and abysmal performance on systems exceeding recommended specs. Some attributed this to impatient review bombing before giving the game a fair chance.
- Excitement (weight 0.14): Excitement was driven by multiple build options and the ability to respec at any time, engaging exploration with collectibles and treasure chests, and combat and skill progression that became the best action RPG seen recently after 40 hours. Players were also glad to have a Fable-like game before the new Fable release.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.09): Satisfaction came from the game's good old style, making it hard to put down and worth the price, along with solid performance on a 4070 Super at 1440p 90fps on Linux with Proton. The fantasy world rewards exploration and patience, offering good quality for the small team and price.
- Overwhelmed (weight 0.05): Players felt overwhelmed by excessive item pickup without hints and a poor item UI that made managing inventory cumbersome and confusing.
- Annoyance (weight 0.05): Annoyance was caused by persistent stuttering despite the game having low system requirements, undermining its accessibility.
- Confusion (weight 0.05): Confusion arose from the skill system requiring points to upgrade skills, which seemed to defeat the purpose of leveling progression.
- Dissatisfaction (weight 0.05): Dissatisfaction resulted from the inability to adjust voice volume and the lack of subtitles, making dialogue hard to follow.
- Heartbreak (weight 0.05): Heartbreak occurred because high expectations set by YouTuber critiques were not met, leading to emotional disappointment.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.05): Enjoyment came from the game being fun, cheap, and running well on the player's PC, with decent combat and a character editor that added personalization.
- Mild disappointment (weight 0.05): Mild disappointment was due to technical issues like UI polish and low graphics quality compared to its inspirations, though not severely damaging the experience.
- Immersion (weight 0.05): Immersion was achieved through the storyline, environment, and characters, drawing players deeply into the game world.
- Admiration (weight 0.05): Admiration was expressed for the indie team's pride in achieving what AAA studios sometimes fail to do, highlighting their effort and success.
- Hopeful (weight 0.05): Hopeful players looked forward to future tweaks and updates, optimistic that the game would improve over time.
- Disbelief (weight 0.05): Disbelief was felt because the game felt like early stages of Early Access despite a long development period, surprising players negatively.
- Relief (weight 0.05): Relief came from knowing the game was still within the refund window, allowing players to recover their investment if disappointed.}