Falcon crest.
It feels like Falcon Age has been coming since the dawn of time. The first time I heard about this game I was intrigued. Not just because I got a sweet pet falcon, but also because of the pedigree of the team behind it. Outerloop Games consists of developers from games such as Monday Night Combat and Planetary Annihilation. Falcon Age feels like new ground for them and for games in general. It is a companion action game that takes great advantage of VR. It also required me to care about my virtual falcon, which I wasn’t sure was going to work, until I nurtured it and we became friends.
What makes the companionship work in Falcon Age is that my partner never felt like an AI. They were my partner, they took care of business, and when I commanded them to do something, they got it done. The relationship was symmetrical. Whether it was grabbing items or hunting food or attacking enemies we worked together to solve puzzles and overtake areas. It is a blast and a relationship really grows from the ashes. Few games deliver an AI companion as compelling and in Falcon Age we were joined at the hip.
MSRP: $19.99
Platforms: PS4
Price I’d Pay: $19.99
Jumping into this world in VR is great. The field of view is a little close for my liking, but that could have been my setup. Still, the commands are simple and the options for accessibility are great. I preferred to move with the analog stick as opposed to the teleport method. It felt more natural. The world is vibrant and looks good in VR, but I strongly suggest taking off the headset to really appreciate the fidelity at least once. I found myself enjoying the game more out of VR, but it was great either way.
The story in Falcon Age takes players on a journey to overthrow oppressive colonizers. The game opens with an escape from one of these camps and it only evolves from there. Meeting up with my aunt and learning to control my Falcon are only the tip of the iceberg. What happens from here is where the game relays its message all while telling a compelling narrative. I loved the characters and the world. It all feels cohesive in a way that few smaller titles manage to capture. That credit is in the direction and writing, which are spot on.
The world is special. I found myself wanting to explore every nook and cranny. I went hunting with my bird, even when the game didn’t require me to. That is the benefit of good design. Make a world where players want to play and it becomes a joy. This is not an exceptionally long game, but that works in its favor. There is enough to do and a world large enough that even in VR I never found myself wanting to put it down. There is simply a lot to love about Falcon Age.
While some will tout Falcon Age as the next great VR game, it is much more than that. I recommend it even for those without a PSVR headset. It is charming, compelling, and most of all enjoyable. I loved my time in this world and I look forward to whatever the team at Outerloop does next. This is a showpiece for many reason, but let’s be fair, it is mostly for the falcon. Now I want one in real life.
Review copy of game provided by publisher.
