Farathan

Farathan is an RPG inspired by The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, and most of all - the Gothic series. It was developed by an independent Polish team Farathan Studio.

Plot

Farathan takes us on a journey to a fantastic world, which is falling under the pressure of storming orc forces. Fifteen years ago the province of Elion managed to fight off an attack of the bloodthirsty beasts. But when its ruler ventured deep into the lands of the invaders, he disappeared and the specter of danger hung over Elion once again.

We meet Eristan, the game's main protagonist and heir to the throne, during his journey to the capital, where his coronation is going to take place. On the way the convoy is attacked by orcs and the protagonist miraculously survives. Rescued by an old fisherman, he only remembers that he is the rightful ruler of Elion. Suspecting that he fell victim to a conspiracy, he must do everything to regain his rightful place. Our actions will determine not only the protagonist's further fate, but also the future of Elion.

Game mechanics

We observe the action in Farathan from a third person perspective (TPP). The game offers an open world with an area of 11 square kilometers. There are various locations to visit - from the mighty capital of Elion, through the picturesque regions of Velden, the dense forests of Fronta and the beautiful Stalgardia, to the desolate Ice Lands, Calden, which is a huge battlefield with orcs and the gloomy Dead Forest.

We explore Elion, get to know its inhabitants and functioning here factions, which we can join, and perform various tasks. It's worth noting that there are no markers here, so the key to success is listening to what people have to say and careful observation of the environment.

Besides, fighting with enemies plays an important role. We have to avoid attacks and make blocks, as well as execute quick counterattacks. Depending on the chosen profession, we eliminate enemies using cold weapons (one- and two-handed), bows, crossbows and magic. As you progress, you develop your character; by gaining levels of mastery in the use of certain weapons and acquiring more powerful equipment, Eristan becomes a more effective warrior.

Technical aspects

Farathan is a low-budget project created by a small independent studio, so its audiovisual layer doesn't look particularly impressive. While the environments and enemies may look good on static images, the animations (especially during dialogues) are a bit dull. Despite the small budget, the game was dubbed in several languages.