Skautfold: Into the Fray feels like a niche product designed specifically for its existing fanbase
Skautfold: Into the Fray, the third installment in the Skautfold saga, attempts to blend top-down shooting action with a dark, Lovecraftian narrative set in an alternate 1899 England. While this game might appeal to hardcore fans of the series, for newcomers like myself, this might find themselves lost in its complex world and unforgiving gameplay.
The game's story revolves around Hito, a Knight of the Empire, who is sent to investigate strange occurrences on the Island of Portland. What begins as a straightforward mission quickly spirals into a cosmic horror scenario involving rebellious factions, eldritch entities, and a mysterious force known as the Fog. For those unfamiliar with the Skautfold universe, the narrative can be overwhelming and difficult to follow. The game throws players into a fully-formed world with established lore, making little effort to onboard newcomers or provide context for its intricate backstory.
The setting itself is intriguing on paper - a twisted version of late 19th century England infested with otherworldly horrors. However, the execution falls short of fully realizing this potential. The island of Portland serves as the main hub, with various missions unlocking across its map as the story progresses. You will explore blood-soaked streets, dank caves, and secret underground tunnels, but these environments often feel repetitive and lack the atmospheric depth needed to truly immerse players in this nightmarish world.
Gameplay in Skautfold: Into the Fray centers around fast-paced, top-down shooting action. You have access to an arsenal of period-appropriate firearms with a steampunk twist, including hand cannons, triple-barrel shotguns, and even prototype weapons designed by Nikola Tesla himself. The combat aims for a visceral, high-octane experience, with an emphasis on environmental destruction and gore. You can also kick barrels, break down doors, and use the scenery to your advantage in creative ways.
While this sounds exciting in theory, the actual gameplay often feels clunky and frustrating. The controls can be imprecise, making it difficult to navigate the chaotic firefights with any sense of finesse. Pressing the fire button a million times to fire your gun gets really tiring really soon. The challenge level is notably high, which might appeal to some hardcore gamers but can be off-putting for those looking for a more balanced experience. The game also seems to prioritize difficulty over accessibility, potentially alienating players who aren't already invested in the series.
Visually, Skautfold: Into the Fray employs a pixel art style that harkens back to classic top-down shooters. The artwork is competently crafted, with detailed character sprites and environmental elements. The gore and destruction effects are particularly well-realized, lending a sense of impact to the combat. However, the overall aesthetic can sometimes feel muddled, with important visual information getting lost in the busy backgrounds and particle effects. The sound design is a mixed bag. The heavy metal soundtrack aims to energize the action sequences but can become repetitive over extended play sessions. Another annoying this is how immediately the music starts to play when you engage in combat and how abruptly it stops as soon as you kill the enemies, it sounds quite jarring if I am being totally honest. Sound effects for weapons and environmental interactions are satisfying, adding weight to the combat and destruction. However, the lack of voice acting and minimal ambient sound design make the world feel less alive than it could be.
Ultimately, Skautfold: Into the Fray feels like a niche product designed specifically for its existing fanbase. The challenging gameplay, obtuse storytelling, and lack of accessibility features make it difficult to recommend to a broader audience. While there are interesting ideas at play - the alternate history setting, the cosmic horror elements, the destructible environments - they never quite coalesce into a cohesive or enjoyable experience for those not already invested in the Skautfold universe. Having said all that, I personally don't recommend this game if you are new to the franchise, but if you are already a fan, go for it. Thanks for reading!
The game was reviewed on a PS5 via a promo copy provided by the publisher. Skautfold: Into the Fray is available on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch and PC.
