Square Enix’s new action RPG Forspoken takes a lot of inspiration from the Isekai anime, but one thing that sets it apart from the anime genre is protagonist Alfre “Frey” Holland. As a cynical New Yorker and orphan who was sent around in foster homes, Frey’s arrival in the fictional land of Athia has become an internet joke, with many out-of-context examples of futures. Her work gives the game a slightly uncomfortable atmosphere. Frey’s voice actress, Ella Balinska, has seen all the discussion going viral online and she doesn’t mind it, instead accepting different reactions to people. shoot your spells.
Balinska said to precipice. “I think people always have a positive or negative reaction to something they’re not used to seeing, and that’s perfectly fine because that’s how we encourage change.”
Balinska added that she thinks of her 8-year-old self when talking about the projects she’s proud to have worked on and the idea of playing a game where she’s essentially the main character, which made her withering. “It never occurred to me that I would play a game downstairs with my mother’s hairdresser’s son while she was doing her hair,” Balinska said. “Now, to think that he could pick up this game and play like me, it’s just unbelievable. And I hope that inspires others to realize that if you commit hard enough one little, something really crazy can happen.”
Opposed to Whedonesque’s marketing materials and viral memes, Frey’s personality is surprisingly raw and true to her nature. In Forspoken, she is initially searching for herself and is horrified by the fact that Athia is expecting her to become a savior engaged in murder for the greater good.
“It tells a largely forgettable story that establishes large stakes but fails to offer compelling reasons why players should care,” wrote Jordan Ramée in GameSpot’s live assessment. “Luminous Productions’ action RPG feels great as it allows you to really stretch your legs and magically parkour through its fantasy setting, but the combat is cumbersome and the displays are frequent often impedes action.”
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