False Hero

Dear Developer (I guess Florian Holl right...?), (...and dear potential players I guess, fret not, spoilers are marked ok), I hope you are reading this. :) [-[-[---SoundTrack---]-]-] I decided to write this not only after finishing your game but just after listening to your entire SoundTrack in one sitting. In fact I am listening to it again right now, while I am writing this. Oh man. YOU are goated. That's it. And no, I am not going to write a multiple page long essay about how much your music in context of the game is a mindblowing, detailed, emotional, fun, horrifying and deeply beautiful and moving masterpiece, not just in melody, harmony, but also in rhythm. Haha, let me know if you want that. As a (albeit electronic) „musician“ and music lover myself I am speechless. I cried a couple times ok. Favorite 3 pieces (tough, because it's just all sooo good...): [spoiler]Temple of Birth, True Angel & Deathborn (sorry Vaour, Gift of Hope haha don't eat me please (again), sorry Despair don't make me cry (again))[/spoiler] [-[-[---Level Design, World Building, Story, Lore---]-]-] You are telling us, you did that ALONE? Sure, ok, why not after all. So much detail, so much love. How much am I supposed to write about this? You get to explore 4 worlds with 4 identities, gods, backgrounds, characters, 4 musical „main themes“ with lovingly crafted variations, and even 4 unique abilities, tied thematically to the world where you find them. Those abilities also open up traversal possibilities, just like in a metroidvania. So cool. :) The lore, story is never overwhelming you, the texts aren't either. I read all of it. The irony is, this is why the world feels so detailed, so fleshed out. [spoiler](especially the quest of one character is fleshed out, yes what you are reading right now is a pun, you get it right...? ...right?)[/spoiler] It feels like you are witnessing a grotesque, nightmarish and beautiful fairy tale or fable. The art direction is just superb. The level design (apart from the unique gimmicks) follows well-known footsteps. (yes, I am looking over to Japan where one of the most famous dark fantasy game studios is now making headache-inducing Multiplayer-Games for Nintendo. Tch...) [-[-[---Gameplay, Enemies, Bosses---]-]-] Ok ok. Enemies are really cool. For reference, I played (mostly on other Steam-Accounts in the past) Dark Souls 3, Elden Ring, Sekiro, Lies of P (Legendary), Khazan (Expert), Mortal Shell 1+2, Stellar Blade (Normal) amongst other things. Sidenote: The cutscenes are brimming with epicness, love and detail. [spoiler](the painted wings in the background in the scenes with True Angel and (I believe) Hope, contrasting their (former) glory with their more than intellectual death)[/spoiler] So, follow the rules made by FromSoftware. Ok ok. This is a dodge game. Ok. Fun gimmick: You can steal and use enemy and boss attacks. Good idea. How it works: just like in Khazan or Stellar Blade – refill your „Combat Art Juice“ with regular (sword) attacks. Simple, genius. But for me personally False Hero has ONE BIG disruptive issue in it's design. One major flaw. You are FORCED to use the Combat Arts, which mostly have a certain slowness, delay, latency to them. Why are you forced? No idea why, but regular sword attacks are USELESS damage-wise. So, you are supposed to hit your enemy with regular attacks, to fill up your Cmbat Arts ONLY. But: these bosses in old (way to f*****g old) tradition back away from your attacks, some later bosses even parry you. Sadly, even if you would land the regular hits, you don't do damage, but ONLY REFILL your damage resource. Which means exactly: Having to use your regular sword is PUNISHMENT, because you couldn't damage your designated foe in the first place. Challenge & combat-rhythm becomes an illusion with the faster bosses. Like I cannot answer properly. CHALLENGE in PLAYER LIMITATION is NOT a good approach. Now. While this is meant lovingly and constructiv