FIST test: rabbit so bad in the end this Metroidvania?

With its name which will not fail to inspire muddy reflections, FIST (for Forged in Shadow Torch) is a game developed by the Chinese from TiGames. A Metroidvania that surprised more than one player during its initial presentation, in particular thanks to its futuristic Blade Runner atmosphere and a city of Torch City inhabited by anthropomorphs, prey to a vile gang of canine thugs baptized Iron Dogs, in which a grumpy rabbit with a giant mechanical fist will attempt to bring order and discipline. Our complete test (on PS5)!

FIST test: rabbit so bad in the end this Metroidvania? Lire la conclusionF.I.S.T : Forged In Shadow Torch

The general atmosphere
Visually very neat
The gameplay
The different characters

This uninviting first hour...
The parry system, not optimal
A game all in English

FIST Forged in Shadow Torch has been tested on PS5, using code provided by the publisher. It's available on PS4, PS5, and Steam, and was developed by Chinese studio TiGames.

In FIST, we embody a former major figure of the Resistance, Rayton… a rabbit. The latter has hung up his gloves for a few years now, and the town of Torch City is in the hands of the infamous mutts of the Iron Dogs Legion. However, when his friend Urso (yes, a bear) is kidnapped by the Iron Dogs, Rayton's blood boils, and he decides to unlock his exoskeleton with a giant fist (the famous FIST!) , to go rustle all the mutts in the city, and finally allow Torch City to find a peaceful life.

The (big) fists on the i!

At first glance, FIST has all of this original and ambitious game, which has everything to seduce the enthusiast of the genre, but which can also prove to be very disappointing, given the quality of the Metroidvania launched in recent years. After a brief introduction, FIST therefore quickly allows the player to take control of Rayton, discover the basics of gameplay and begin to immerse themselves in this very special atmosphere. However, the first steps are relatively confusing, the fault in particular of a combat system that seems quite cumbersome and limited...

Fortunately, we quickly manage to tame the giant fist of our angry rabbit more deeply, but above all, over the course of the adventure, we can get our hands on two other main weapons. Weapons that will be used to thrash the armies of the Iron Dogs of course, but also to make their way through Torch City. Indeed, in good Metroidvania that it is, FIST reserves its share of inaccessible passages, to which it will be necessary to return later, with a freshly acquired material and/or a skill just assimilated. Quite limited at first glance, the gameplay is actually rather rich and varied, with the possibility of changing your weapons of course, but also of performing devastating combos by switching from one weapon to another in full sequence. Nice.

Do not rely on the first hour of this FIST, the latter reporting a game with limited possibilities and very compartmentalized environments. Over the hours, we not only assimilate new techniques, but we also deploy a particularly vast and varied map, which we can call upon by simply pressing the touchpad. An integrated map (like the rest of the interface) on an old, very vintage terminal. Similarly, the very action side (and not always very successful) at the start, gives way to a much more digestible exploration/platform/action mix. Phew!

Precise, sharp, sharp gameplay

On the gameplay side, FIST allows you to alternate between three main weapons, to which will be added certain secondary weapons, all of which can be upgraded. The fights are rather punchy overall, with some games that will require a good dose of skill on the part of the player, dodging or parrying being an integral part of success. There are also boss fights of course (some of which are optional), during which, without paying towards a Demon's Souls, FIST requires an excellent reading of the game, in order to place a lightning counter at the appropriate time, to follow up immediately with a devastating combo.

Some fights seem insurmountable at first glance, but it is often enough to observe the enemy well and / or modify his approach a little bit to overcome them, before clenching an angry fist to celebrate his victory.

JVFR

Technically, on PS5, FIST does not necessarily flagellate the retina at first glance, but it must be admitted that the environments are very detailed, with an astonishing depth of field and many details. Likewise, the most observant will quickly find very nice lighting effects here and there, in addition to a few discreet, but very present, real-time reflections. Added to this is a pretty staging, based on videos that are admittedly a little too compressed, but which allow you to become attached to Rayton the grumpy, but also to his faithful Orso, without forgetting a mysterious cat adept in martial arts or again to a mysterious gang of rats.

JVFR

In addition to its staging and its universe, FIST is a title that actually stacks up good ideas, both in terms of its gameplay and small originalities, sometimes useless as possible, but which give a little "plus" to the whole. Having to “wash” your rabbit on save points or being able to sit in certain areas to replenish your energy are just a small example. The game also offers many secrets (the content of which we will obviously not reveal here) which can be totally missed by the player who is a little too in a hurry.

JVFR

Shortcomings and lifespan

Admittedly, as we have said, FIST is a game that teems with qualities… however, it does not reach the excellence of the best titles in the genre. In terms of progression, FIST is quite commanding, in the sense that it constantly indicates on the screen the objective that will allow the plot to progress, which will possibly annoy some purists, but which will perfectly suit those who like a little "to be taken by the hand”. Unreal Engine obliges, we also sometimes observe textures that are a little slow to appear, but nothing really penalizing in the end.

JVFR

Obviously, the game offers total freedom to the player, who can wander at will if he wishes before going to the displayed objective. In addition, it is worth pointing out that at the time these lines are written, the game is entirely in English, in terms of the voices (with excellent dubbing by the way) as well as the texts, which may necessarily interfere with it. some.

JVFR

Finally, in terms of lifespan, it took me 12 hours to get through the main scenario of this FIST, by searching a minimum of the different environments. As mentioned above, the game offers many bonuses to find to increase your life, your energy... or even to get your hands on a special weapon. Those who take malicious pleasure in completing their games at 100% will be able to spend more than 20 hours on the game.

FIST : l'avis de JVFR

Despite a sluggish start, FIST allows you to have a great time, and offers some excellent game sequences for those who will be able to overcome the game's few flaws. Consider it if you like the Metroidvania genre a little bit, and you don't not necessarily looking at all costs for the new reference in this area.

F.I.S.T : Forged In Shadow Torch

Despite an unattractive start and without ever wavering the tenors of the genre, FIST: Forged In Shadow Torch constitutes a Metroidvania that is both original and intelligently designed, with a very rich combat system and a very successful universe, both both in substance and in form. All in all, a real pleasant surprise.