F.I.S.T: Forged In Shadow Torch is the recently released anthropomorphic Metroidvania by developer Shanghai TiGames Network Technology Limited. Its blend of long-eared bunnies and steampunk environments help to make it stand out as a unique title in an incredibly oversaturated genre. It is also relatively easy, making it a great Metroidvania for beginners. But even indie hits aren't exempt from having their nonsensical video game logic scrutinised.
From a city designed purely for its protagonist to leap and bound about to a rabbit with the upper body strength of Arnold Schwarzenegger, F.I.S.T: Forged In Shadow is full of mind-boggling video game logic. While its stunning universe and intricate characters continue to astound, players will still likely get a chuckle from these bizarre features.
5 Why Is Anyone Wearing Clothes?
F.I.S.T: Forged In Shadow Torch's cast of characters is entirely comprised of anthropomorphic characters or animals that act like humans. From bunnies, bears and cats to red pandas, rats and robotic dogs, this game covers a large portion of the animal kingdom. All of these animals are covered in fur - outside of the robot dogs, of course - and the people of Torch City are even called Furtizens. So, why is everyone wearing clothes?
Of course, a big part of anthropomorphic characters is that they adopt human traits. Wearing clothes is understandably one said trait. But within the game's universe, it seems nonsensical that anyone would wear clothes. Why would animals, regardless of whether or not they talk and walk like a human, invent clothes? For that matter, why would they invent cars, noodle stands or jazz? Admittedly, seeing a rabbit in a trench coat is far more impressive than a naked one bouncing around. However, a clothed animal is still a bizarre concept no matter how cool they happen to look.
4 How Does Anyone Get Around The City Without Double Jump?
F.I.S.T: Forged In Shadow Torch isn't the longest Metroidvania out there, but it still takes a fair while to complete. As a result, being about to wall jump, dash and double jump around the city is quite helpful. Not only does it make traversal more fun, but it also speeds up the process a little. Torch City is relatively accommodating to Raymond's ability to double jump too. High walls and large gaps in between platforms mean that Raymond frequently has to leap and bound his way across the city. However, the question remains: how do any of the other Furtizens even get around?
Without the ability to double jump your way from wall to wall, if you lived in Torch City you'd likely find yourself stuck. The city has been quite literally designed around those with the gift of defying gravity. In the context of the game's universe, it's hard not to feel sorry for all the pandas and rats who must wait at the edge of a platform questioning whether or not they'd be able to make the jump.
3 Why Do Shield Enemies Just Stand There?
From sword-wielding robotic dogs to lumbering bosses, in F.I.S.T: Forged In Shadow Torch the player can expect to come toe-to-toe with quite the range of unique enemy types. One of the earlier enemy types is that of a shield carrying dog. They'll stand with their shield raised and sharply turn if you try and jump around them. They're usually joined by a small group of other enemy types, and serve to stand in front of them to stop you from beating them to pieces. But when all of their friends are gone, they just resume standing there, waiting with their shield held high.
After a while, the shield enemy will try and shoot at you, but until then they just stand there with their shield raised. What are they waiting for? What exactly do they hope will happen? Sure, they're protected, but at this point, it's a waiting game between a limber rabbit with a giant robot arm and a robot dog that'll eventually run out of power. They know for a fact that the second they raise the shield to shoot you'll punch them, so what exactly is their plan? Later on, they get axes and prove to be a little more deadly. However, up until that point, they remain bafflingly still perhaps in the hopes that you'll move on intimidated by their rather large shield.
2 Does Raymond Not Get Tired Carrying That Arm?
Raymond, F.I.S.T: Forged In Shadow Torch's protagonist, can equip an assortment of large weapons on his back. From a giant mechanical fist to a devastating drill, these weapons are attached to a rig that rests on his shoulders. While Raymond is undoubtedly a great character in one of the best modern Metroidvanias available, his ability to carry such heavy equipment while never breaking a sweat is perhaps even more impressive.
Raymond's tiny fragile frame lugging around large mechanical weaponry is certainly a sight to behold. While his small stature never detracts from his overall stylish demeanour, his impressive upper body strength is frankly rather puzzling. Of course, it can be chalked up to his many years fighting against the Iron Dogs, but the game makes a point of stressing how Raymond has been out of the game for a while. For an old, retired rabbit, Raymond is certainly spritely.
1 Why Is The Prison So Poorly Defended?
We've seen it umpteen times in video games before. A prison supposedly impenetrable and impossible to escape happens to have the laxest and most convenient place security possible. It's not uncommon to see a guard with their back turned or literally every camera with a ridiculously large blind spot in one of these "impressive" prisons. F.I.S.T: Forged In Shadow Torch features one such prison, and its security is no less incompetent.
From guards instructed to protect weapons who then are suddenly not in at their stations or protecting the elevator just before the locker room to cameras placed in the most pointless of places, F.I.S.T: Forged In Shadow Torch's prison contains all the cliches you've come to know and love. While this prison mission is suitably tense and entertaining, stripping the player of all the weapons they'd just become familiar with, it is hard not to see the glaring faults in Torch City's prison. If only the warden had enough sense to get rid of all those rabbit high boxes lying around.