Video games come from all over the world. As long as passionate programmers have the technology and skills, then they can put out a quality title. Many of the most renowned franchises originate in Japan, Canada, or the United States. However, they’re far from the extent.
The French have proven particularly prolific. Several great games hail from either France or French Canada. These range from AAA powerhouses to indie darlings. Whatever their size or genre, these French adventures deserve global recognition. They often demonstrate more innovation and inspiration than many of their peers. If this trend continues, then they could easily eclipse the countries more famous for their gaming exploits.
From the zany brain of Michel Ancel,Raymanis a platformer series as random as it is entertaining. The limbless hero navigates a dreamlike world brimming with off-kilter creativity. Along the way, he defends the downtrodden with literal flying punches and helicopter hair.
That formula helps the franchise excel in both 2D and 3D platforming. The original trilogy,Origins, andLegendsare among the finest in the genre. They boast snappy controls, bizarre abilities, and unpredictable level design. These games echo the weirdness of several French comics and cartoons, but they’re nevertheless intuitive and addictive. Ubisoft may have discardedRaymanin favor of the Rabbids andAssassin’s Creed, but he definitely shouldn’t be forgotten.
An increasing number of Western RPGs seem to trade substance for size. Spiders has quietly emerged as a refutation of that, andGreedFallstands as the best example. The game focuses on a group of colonists as they sail to an untamed land in search of a new home and a cure for a crippling plague.
Players must carve out a place within that conflict. The premise lends itself to many compelling quests–both main and side. Not only do these plot threads reek of moral ambiguity, but they profoundly affect the party members. Fans get to know their companions as they build their own characters. This leads to tremendous depth in classes, stats, move sets, and narrative choices. These aspects make it easy to lose oneself in the dour world ofGreedFall.
Here’s a case of a French developer drawing from French history.A Plague Talerevolves around two siblings as they navigate the European landscape during the Black Death. The two titles use that setting effectively. The environments are dripping with nightmarish atmosphere, and the tense character dynamics feel organic in their tumultuous evolution. That’s all well and good, but too many linear, story-based titles nowadays make gameplay an afterthought. Thankfully, that’s not the case here.
ThePlague Talegames employ puzzles and stealth mechanics.The handful of options are simple on paper yet subtly polished in their execution. They invite initiative and strategy while blending seamlessly with the overall experience. From the ashes of this historic tragedy rises an unexpected hit.
Again,open-world RPGsare a dime a dozen these days, butWartalesgets down to the nitty-gritty of that formula. The game sees players lead a band of mercenaries across a medieval fantasy realm ravaged by disease and oppression. Heroic exploits fall by the wayside in favor of simple survival.
That’s challenging in itself, but said challenge is what makesWarTalesso engrossing. Combat unfolds in a turn-based grid style. That already invites critical thinking, but the true difficulty emerges outside of battle. Players must rest and feed their companions to keep them going. In addition, they need money to finance their unscrupulous band. Instrumental in that is the job system. Fans can put their skills to work in blacksmithing, mining, lumberjacking, scholarly pursuits, or several other professions. Finally, they should consider how to best deal with different social situations and conflicts on their journeys.Wartaleshas so many elements to consider. It has the look and detail ofDivinityandBaldur’s Gate, and it’s equally absorbing as a result.
Considering the multitude of multiverse stories permeating entertainment, this game seems truly ahead of its time.Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensionsbringsfour versions of the web-slingertogether for a universal adventure. That adventure never takes itself too seriously. Instead, it succeeds as a cheesy comic book adventure. With the imposing villains and charming character interactions, there’s never a dull moment.
The gameplay helps in that regard. The developers derive surprising variety out of the four web-heads. Each Spider-Man has a distinctive style of combat and level design. These factors makeShattered Dimensionsa blast from start to finish.
Players may be ready to write off WB Montreal after theGotham Knightsdebacle, but this studio is capable of solid work. How fitting that the proof is another Batman title.Arkham Originsis a prequel to the mainlineArkhamtrilogy, chronicling the Dark Knight’s early adventures and introducing him to his most notorious villains. While the game suffers from that prequel trope of squeezing all the hero’s formative events into one day, it still crafts an intriguing mystery full of surprises and craziness.
What’s more, it conveys that mystery through a tried-and-true formula. Fans alternate betweenfreeflow combat, predatory stealth, and exploratory puzzles. Granted, much of the gameplay and assets come straight fromArkham City, but that’s a solid foundation for any title. Thus,Arkham Originsis immensely enjoyable and worthy of its lofty legacy.
