The upcoming action RPGForspokenfrom Square Enix and Luminous Productions has turned a lot of fans' heads since it was revealed in 2021. The narrative-driven action adventure is a brand-new IP and follows the story ofFrey as she’s transported from her home in New York Cityinto a challenging fantasy world filled with magic and monsters.
The bare bones of this premise may sound familiar, and that’s becauseForspokencould be seen as very at home in the isekai genre, where a character leaves their normal world behind for a completely different one. WhileForspokenseems to fit a lot of the prerequisites for an isekai story, there are also one or two elements that help to set it about from other games in the genre and establish the upcoming title as its own thing.
RELATED:Frey Will Probably Belong More in Forspoken’s Athia Than New York City
Isekai Games
Isekai games have found a lot of popularityin recent years, with players enjoying the classic “fish out of water” storyline. But the genre is so much more than just a focus on displaced characters. Usually, the protagonist is transported magically or through some kind of teleportation into the new world, and this process often grants them special abilities or highlights an innate quality they already have to help them in their new environment. The worlds vary, from fantasy to sci-fi to a multitude of different settings, but at the core of each story is a similar focus – adapting to a new life, whatever that may be.
There are a lot of examples of isekai stories across multiple medias, but it’s also achieved prominence in the world of video games. Titles likeGenshin Impact,Brutal Legend, andNi No Kuniall feature displaced characterswho are forced to come to terms with their new environments. This eventuality turns out better for some characters than for others, but it’s a fun approach to storytelling that offers a lot of opportunities for moments of levity as well as poignancy.
How Forspoken Sets Itself Apart
Forspoken’s story may still maintain some of its mystery, but fans know enough about the upcoming title to paint a picture.Frey is magically transported away from her normal lifein New York City into the tumultuous and deadly world of Athia. In her new fantastical setting, Frey gains the ability to manipulate elemental powers that help her face up to Athia’s many challenges and give her the strength to take on the tyrannical leaders of this new world. Trailers forForspokenhave already showed off Frey’s impressively dynamic methods for getting around Athia’s various landscapes as well, showing how she’s adapted to her new environment. It’s likely that Frey will grow from a hesitant outsider into a powerful fighter who has more confidence and a stronger sense of self, which aligns with a lot of isekai plots as well.
WhileForspokenseems to tick a lot of boxes when it comes to comparing it to isekai anime, thegame’s Creative Producer Raio Mitsunowas keen to point out that it will focus more on Frey’s struggles as a modern-day woman, as well as more realistic concerns rather than the fantasy-focused problems in a typical isekai story. Despite having a fantasy setting complete with magical powers and ghoulish creatures, the development team was keen to infuse the world ofForspokenwith a healthy mix of realism alongside the make-believe elements.
Some isekai games have a completely overpowered protagonist from the start, despite their sudden relocation into another world. It seems Frey will be building up her powers and learning as she goes, to give players a truly challenging and engaging experience, rather than arriving fully formed as a formidable hero. It remains to be seen whether Frey will accomplish her destiny in Athia and then find her way home, or if she will create a new place for herself among the fantasy world, but players should be able to see for themselves soononceForspokenreleases later this year.
Forspokenis scheduled to release on June 19, 2025 for PC and PS5.
