Skautfold: Into the Fray | PS5 Review

Skautfold, and it's alternate historical timeline set in the colonial past returns with Hito, a 3rd Knight of the Angelic Empire of Britannia, being summoned by the Empress and tasked with a dual operation. He is to see what the Sons of Washington are up to, and to apprehend Princess Lillian at all costs. 

The game, itself, starts off with this introduction of key characters segueing into a mode selection screen wherein options pertaining to builds stats, and leveling can be opted for or left alone during a playthrough. With Pure mode all the usual RPG elements are taken away leaving RPG mode to house the option for 6 different stats for build sake. Outside of this lies five different difficulty settings that impact story outcomes, and various features regarding enemies and gameplay. There's Weak, Casual, Normal, Hard Rock, and Heavy Metal. Each of which make progression more challenging.

Starting off on a ritual site in Portland on July 16th of 1899 Hito makes his debut entrance stopping Lovecraftian cultists from sacrificing a baby to their elder god. It is in this first fight sequence that we learn of Hito's abilities through a hands on tutorial. He can switch between a gun and a sword, fire the gun, aim, dash with a trail of flames, and kick. With these basic tools, in a semi-overhead point of view, he dishes out death in the name of the Empire. Gameplay, itself, acts like a top down twin stick shooter experience.

Retroactively, beyond this climactic interactive intro cutscene, we find Hito two days earlier at a meeting place wherein he is abruptly ambushed by Weiss, and Princess Lillian who, in short order, mortally wound him before leaving the scene. It is here that Marigold, his mysterious rendezvous informant, shows up to bestow upon him vital information regarding the Sons of Washington as well as the symbiotic binding of a living cape that feeds off of vitae (enemy blood) while keeping Hito alive and uninjured. From that point forward Hito continues his quest, but with newly found symbiotic powers in tow.

As Hito you are living off of a limited health bar, and are further restricted in actions by a stamina meter. This plays into the soulslike nature of the gameplay experience. Additionally you'll find new weapons, and ammo for those weapons to put to use in consistently harder to deal with combat situations. Leaving your success up to your ability to properly apply the given mechanics. Health restoration, of course, comes from vitae drops left behind by finished (kicked) enemies. Other items like dropped currencies (energy cells) will be put to use in RPG mode for stat based performance upgrades. Making you more powerful as you build up the six stats.

The end goal in all that you do is to ultimately find out what is going on with the Sons of Washington, and to pursue Lillian as well as Weiss in an attempt to thwart their plans regarding the returning Fog. This is done across differing areas of interest made accessible via a map with place markers. In addition to the main mission objectives you'll deal with enemy mobs, and bosses along the way. Stopping briefly to converse with key characters. Making the experience more about action than story building. As the difficulty settings suggests there are multiple endings though depending upon actions taken, and feats rendered. Making replays more viable.

The Presentation ...

Skautfold: Into the Fray, features a familiar art design that stays true to the series' beginnings. Though it is from a top-down perspective this time around the pixel art is still dark and gritty with plenty of blood and gore to litter the screen. When it comes to the soundtrack it is a Frankenstein's monster of mixed tunes. You'll find orchestral instrumentals, festive bar hopping melodies, and even grinding metal music. The soundtrack is definitely varied, though complimentary. 

The Verdict ...

This latest Skautfold adventure freshens up the formula, and offers gamers something new to do in the established world within. It is a unique alternate history style of lore enhanced by gothic visuals, and a cultist/religious atmosphere. All done in a continuing story arch. The gameplay, itself, is simple yet effective. It is your usual twin stick shooter thoroughfare inline with soulslike combat. Simple, but satisfying. Overall it's a short lived, but welcome addition to what looks to be an anthology ... If you've been following the series be sure to pick this one up as well! It ties everything together in an ongoing fashion!