Video Game Review: Lords of the Fallen

When I saw Lords of the Fallen for discount on Steam recently, I couldn't resist grabbing it. Having been intrigued by its dark fantasy aesthetics and promising combat mechanics, the discount made it an easy decision to dive into yet another punishing, action RPG adventure. What sweetened the deal even more was the recently released 2.0 update, which promised major improvements to gameplay and performance. After spending considerable time hacking, slashing, and occasionally dying (okay, frequently dying), here's what I thought.

Let's start with the positives—graphics. Right from the outset, Lords of the Fallen is stunningly beautiful in a bleak, gothic kind of way. Each environment feels meticulously crafted, rich in atmospheric detail. Wandering through decrepit castles and shadowy landscapes is genuinely immersive, thanks to impressive lighting effects, high-quality textures, and intricately designed character models. Every area feels distinct, hauntingly beautiful, and dripping with that gritty dark fantasy vibe fans of the genre adore. Playing it on a high-end rig, I found myself regularly stopping just to soak in the view—a testament to how visually compelling the game truly is.

Then there's the combat—oh, the glorious, brutal combat. Lords of the Fallen doesn't hold your hand; instead, it thrusts you right into the thick of battle, demanding careful timing, precision, and strategic thinking. Each weapon swing feels heavy and impactful, delivering a satisfying sense of realism and brutality. Battles are challenging, requiring players to master timing, dodging, parrying, and stamina management. There's real depth here, allowing for varied playstyles, whether you're a cautious tactician or a more aggressive warrior. Combat encounters feel intense, and victory always feels earned, especially against the tougher bosses who will test your patience (and maybe your sanity).

It's also worth mentioning the substantial improvements that came with the 2.0 update. Developers clearly listened to community feedback, addressing numerous gameplay and performance issues that previously hindered enjoyment. The update polished the combat mechanics further, smoothing animations and improving responsiveness, making each encounter even more fluid and enjoyable. Performance enhancements were immediately noticeable too—gone are many of the frustrating frame drops and stutters that marred earlier versions. It's refreshing to see developers genuinely committed to improving their game post-launch, and this dedication has undoubtedly elevated Lords of the Fallen to a more polished state.

However, it’s not all perfect in this gloomy fantasy world. One of the main criticisms I have is the storytelling approach. Similar to Elden Ring, Lords of the Fallen opts for a subtle, often cryptic narrative style. Key elements of the story are hidden in environmental storytelling, vague dialogue snippets, and item descriptions. While some players enjoy this style, piecing together the lore like a dark puzzle, others—including myself at times—might find it unnecessarily opaque. It’s easy to overlook significant story details entirely, leaving you somewhat disconnected from the world and its stakes. I often found myself progressing through beautiful yet mysterious locations with little understanding of why I was there or what my broader goal truly was.

That isn’t to say the lore isn't interesting—it very much is—but its delivery method can be a barrier to fully enjoying the narrative, particularly if you're not the type who enjoys trawling through forums or YouTube lore breakdowns. Games like this always carry a fine line between intriguing mystery and frustrating obscurity, and Lords of the Fallen occasionally leans towards the latter.

Despite this narrative hiccup, my overall experience remains strongly positive, especially considering the discounted price I paid during the Steam sale. Getting it on sale certainly softened the impact of its few shortcomings, making it feel like exceptional value for money. Lords of the Fallen is clearly a labour of love, particularly evident after the robust 2.0 update, where the developers’ commitment to improvement shines brightly.

In summary, if you're a fan of challenging combat, dark fantasy settings, and beautiful, immersive worlds, Lords of the Fallen is undoubtedly worth your time. Its few missteps in storytelling do little to diminish the overall experience significantly, especially if you're willing to immerse yourself fully in piecing together its mysteries. And if you can snag it at a discount like I did, it's practically a steal.

Overall, Lords of the Fallen is a thrilling, beautifully crafted action RPG that will test your skills and patience in equal measure. Just remember to pay close attention—or you might just miss what's going on.

Score: 8/10