I always love how something makes me crave a similar experience to how I felt about it. I'll be honest here. Once I finished the second chapter of this game (before the third chapter update), I played other RPGs to find the same experience. And for now, I just want to take a break from my search and write down everything I want to say about this game.
Fadry is a linear, story-focused game that explores a meticulously crafted dark fantasy world through the eyes of several different characters. This game is still in the early access version, but currently, players can play three of the four chapters from it. Each chapter is made for one character who is mysteriously related to one another. Here is where players will unravel their connection and other unknowns in it.
The main character in the first chapter is Areus, a stoic pyromancer who carries an important message that he has to deliver to the influential coven there through coven contact. From that contact search, Areus met a coven member who will help him and wherefrom the meeting accompanies his journey onwards. Areus initial goal apparently cannot be achieved smoothly and eventually makes him find another alternative to send the message to another place that is more appropriate and effective. Together, Areus and the coven member face delays, complications, and foreign countries' politics before reaching their destination. As the initial, this chapter focuses on providing players with many things related to Fadry's world-building. There’s also a lot of combat against various unique enemies with different strengths and abilities which also introduces players to what they might encounter in the next chapters.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2784887210
In the second chapter, players will follow Ramsay, a mercenary who has just woken up from sleep or even fainted and has lost his memory. He tries to find information about the situation around him. With his only limited information and memory, he tries to find out things he doesn't know and forgets. This chapter will be much shorter than the first chapter and in combat, players will only fight one type of enemy several times however it's presented differently than before (involves time, limited lighting, and a maze).
The last chapter in this version is very different from the previous chapters. This time, the main character is Lea, a female mercenary who is enthusiastic and a little playful, which is enough to bring a change in the atmosphere. The other different thing is that there's a lot more information presented here, which means players won't have to search too much on their own (though it's free to explore to find out more if you want). It's still as short as the second chapter, but as the last chapter in the early access version, it's enough to provoke my curiosity and make me want to play the next chapter immediately.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2784886387
From what I mentioned above, it's clear that Fadry is full of [u][b]information seeking through exploration and combats,[/b][/u] but what is equally important here is [u][b]impactful decision-making[/b][/u] and the [u][b]missions/tasks.[/b][/u] Players have to think of a good strategy, find the best solution, and make sure that they do the right thing when they leave a place. With various important things to do, there's no need to worry because game progress can be saved in the [u][b]save slot.[/b][/u] To make the game easier, the developer also provides a [u][b]walkthrough[/b][/u] that can be found in local files. But if players prefer to play it blindly, in-game literature resources and interactions with NPCs are already helpful.
What I really like about Fadry is how this game can make me describe it as the embodiment of [b][i]calm amidst the chaos.[/i][/b] So many peaceful things to focus on rather than rushing straight just to finish the game with only somber and worrying memory about it. I loved how the actual gameplay involved thoroughness and composure. Gathering information is honestly pleasurable. Libraries and other reading areas are filled with very informative and impressive books. Interacting with NPCs is always amusing. Many of them are hilarious. I highly recommend interacting with all of them for the funsies. Areas and their details kept me wandering around and what's nice is the audiovisual aspect enhances my experience in it. I probably wouldn't have paid much attention to that aspect in RPGs like this if it weren't for the drive of the game that made me do.
I don't understand the visual assets of RPG maker games, some of the things here may look familiar, but some of them are not. I think the items pick and their placement is excellent. Most of them caught my eyes. Despite being so small, I admire how unique and detailed things on the shelves I saw in some places. Cafe and tea shops display many beautiful ceramic objects in theirs, and the tavern is no less appealing with its various bottles collection. All the clothing stores are arranged in a lovely way. The tables in the alchemy store are very colorful, not to mention the detailed explanations of the items I clicked on, which I found interesting, and they are somehow therapeutic. Towards the end of the third chapter, I noticed that more bold colors appeared. It looks like I'll be seeing more of those colors later. Regardless, if the whole visual aspect is handled the same way just as it already is, I guess it would be great.
As for the instrumental BGM, it perfectly fits all the situations. In the beginning, I heard music that fits the tense situations in the forest, a thrilling melody with slight animal sounds in the distance. Entering the more lively and colorful Rose area, I heard more pleasant medieval town music. When entering the village where the civil war refugees live, the sad nuances that emerge from the music is well describing their condition. Then when the MC goes to the library, the music turns more serene (reminds me a bit of [i]The Wind Can Be Still,[/i] a winter theme OST on SDV), just right to balance out my actual reading activity there. And there are still many other moments that I can't mention here where the background music always manages to follow the mood.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2784289570
A bit about sound effects, sometimes it sounds entertainingly dramatic like when the MC opens a book or goes up and down the stairs/enters a building. When Areus is in a place that gives a more pressing aura, a ticking clock sound is used instead of instrumental music, that’s great. Besides, I heard that there is also a change in the volume inside and outside a building. When the MC enters a building, the sound volume is lowered, so that it gives a muffled effect. When exits the building, the volume returns to normal. It's a really cool detail.
I recommend Fadry to anyone who likes free games, story-rich, RPGs, and fantasy. The game is quite simple and easy. And it will be quite engaging once you get into its story.
PS: This game is dark. Please read the mature content description before playing it.
