There are seven different environments spread through these interesting chapters, each with their own characteristics, monsters, and creatures that give the realms a life of their own. You'll find yourself dwelling into deep forest, walking around big open fields, or exploring the undersea. You'll meet several amazing bosses and you'll have to figure out how to fight them. Some more advanced creatures require a bit of strategy in order to defeat them. Not all the attacks work against everyone out there; you'll have to use your intuition often to take care of them.

Folklore is very visually appealing. It's displayed at full force with wonderful HD resolution; it really transports you to another world. Colorful sparkles full of magic decorate the Netherworld. The character design is quite spectacular, and it won't get you bore. Each creature has been designed with care, mixing up the species and coming up with bizarre but highly interesting hybrids of elephants and flowers, seals and dogs, cougars and dragons, or monkeys and hogs. There are also little leprechauns that will give you tips on how to approach the enemies and continue on. Doolin looks exactly like the typical small Irish village from the coast. If you've been to Ireland, you'll agree with me. There's great attention to detail, and if this was followed by real environment interaction, this game would have it all. Well, almost all.

The game is indeed quite slow, and you'll have to have some patience to get through the first part of the game, which is the prologue. There's no real cutscenes throughout the game, and the lack of voice acting makes the game harder to follow and enjoy. Character interactions are displayed like a graphical novel, bland and static as can be; that bored me. Although the music is totally adequate and fit for the title, it is at the same time too relaxing and produces a dozing effect. Nice and lighthearted piano tunes accompany the characters through the levels, and more engaging and rhythmical music prepares you for action. Mysterious voices and drizzling sounds produce a mystical environment that really sets the mood. Unfortunately, sometimes the mood is interrupted by loading screens placed in every corner; this gives the game an outdated feel, along with the totally non-interactive surroundings.

With all the magic and fairy-tale elements involved, I would highly recommend this title for a Halloween night at home. It's not very frightening but it's definitely sinister and kind of creepy. Only you can decide if this game is for you, but I can at least say it's been made with love and TLC. Give it a try and see!

By Maria Montoro
CCC Site Director

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