Knights of Fiona is a new JRPG-inspired adventure game that easily earns its place as an exciting fantasy in VR.
When virtual reality first originated, it felt like a new technology full of untapped potential. To this day, there are new experiences that are only available on a headset. It is a mix between the immersion, the physical movement, and the player’s full attention. Using nimble goggles means not being distracted by your phone every five minutes there is a cutscene. It is a pleasant surprise, then, that Knights of Fiona has arrived on the scene to satiate the JRPG crowd in VR.
Developer CharacterBank made a name for itself in the VR JRPG space with RUINSMAGUS, a magical dungeon-crawling adventure. It that saw players heading into a series of maze-like dungeons with hordes of deadly monsters and machines alike. My first taste that showed the studio had potential, when Knights of Fiona was announced last year, I awaited with bated breath. A tweaked, expanded, and sprawling medieval fantasy journey with even more quests and multiplayer? It was only a matter of time before they would stick the landing.
And they did. There are so many little details that make the game a rich experience for anyone who feels like entering the fantastical realm of Gallia. A tale of war and magic, you are a Knight of the Oath tasked with eliminating forces of hatred that have been bubbling for over a hundred years. A boilerplate arc, if you will, but one that shows exactly what it needs to entice those who grew up with classics like Tales of Symphonia and Chrono Trigger.
The first cutscene sets the mood well. Using VR to the fullest by showing the main boss picking up a hapless soldier from your perspective, the motion of being impaled is impactful enough. Moving on to a fight on a bridge against gremlin-like beasts, you take turns between an archer, a warrior, and a mage. Utilizing each of these abilities to eventually fit one to your liking, you finally wake up. Arriving at the central hub of Geogallia, this majestic, bustling town is where you will be knighted to fight the evil beings who threaten the land. And we’re off.
Knights of Fiona has a quick incursion-based system that makes it easy to pick up and play in short sessions. Featuring six main chapters and dozens of quests, these are divided between Story and Battle modes. Self-explanatory as they are, Story mode includes a mix of narrative and combat elements, while Battle mode is a straight-up bonanza of enemies to hone your skills. These blend well, as some Story missions require being at a certain level to be unlocked. While not every Battle mission is required to proceed, at least gaining EXP and loot in some of them helps.
You can expect, like any JRPG worth its salt, to work your way up from lowly bandits to jaw-dropping dragon boss battles. With the help of a special attack to break enemies’ poise to cause extra damage, these are designed to always maintain you on edge. Fast Area of Effect attacks to make use of the dodge mechanic quickly make every fast-paced fight enjoyable. Whether you choose the bow, sword, or staff, they all feel rewarding enough to cycle through depending on your foes’ moveset. Throwing friends, or bots if you want to play alone, into the formula makes it, expectedly, more chaotic.
Going back to the main hub, Knights of Fiona implements an intriguing monetization model. You can download and play the first chapter for free. A modest price to get the rest of the game is available should the gameplay be to your liking. Other than that, there are paid skins and the promise of more of them to come soon. Strolling through the shopping mall to give these a look, it is noticeable that an extra effort in bells and whistles is put to tempt players. Despite that, there are plenty of outfits and a generous gear system to keep players busy.
Conclusion
A welcome addition to any VR catalog due to its expansive missions and entertaining gameplay, this adventure will particularly appeal to JRPG fans. Satisfying leveling-up systems in place mean always going back to explore and retry a tough battle one more time. Facing the massive boss battles that await for the first, or tenth, time is awe-inspiring. When including friends in the mix, then it can easily become part of a gaming rotation. Virtual reality is never short of fascinating experiences, and Knights of Fiona certainly joins the ranks with ease.
Knights of Fiona is available now on Meta Quest and SteamVR.
