Forestrike Review – Stylish Foresight, Flawed Progression

Forestrike Review

Martial arts fits the rogue-lite genre, where mastery is achieved through repetition and learning from failure. Bye Sifu if you grew older with every defeat, Forestrike allows you to peer into the future, planning every move to destroy every enemy on screen in one fluid cinematic sequence. Will it be able to replicate the clinical, cinematic combat that kung fu fans have been waiting for, or will it devolve into a jumbled brawl that sacrifices precision and style?

You play as Yu, a martial artist gifted with the rare ability of Foresight. With this unique skill, you will travel across the country to free it from the influence of the admiral. Along the way, you'll train under several masters, honing your skills to battle the many enemies who wish to thwart your quest to defeat evil. Although the story follows a traditional plot, it provides a strong premise that keeps you engaged. Story beats are methodically woven between your playthroughs, reinforcing the theme without becoming intrusive. As a result, the game effectively conveys the feeling of learning and gradually mastering your art.

Ready to rumble

Each run consists of several encounters that require you to quickly and swiftly eliminate every person in the area. To do this, you need to use your special skills and plan a method of attack. While combat is central to the game, each scenario is also a puzzle. You must determine who, when and how to attack in order to overcome unfavorable odds. Success gives you the ability to choose from a variety of power-ups, giving you an advantage in subsequent battles. During your adventure, you can also visit shops to purchase upgrades and items that will help you choose what comes next. This creates a fun and addictive loop that captures that essential “one more pass” feeling that every great roguelike needs.

Each master has specific skills that change the way you approach running. Some require you to focus on dodging, while others imbue you with lightning to boost your attack. The goal is to complete runs with each master, unlocking abilities as you progress. Unfortunately, meta-progression is where Forestrike fails. Constant updates are few and far between, which slows down the pace. Instead, advancement is more dependent on mastering the mechanics. While a strong foundation exists, improvements are needed to make growth more rewarding and less dependent on skills alone.

Be water

The combat is well designed, with each enemy having a unique attack that will determine how you react. Some have weapons that you can disarm and use against them, while others fire projectiles that you can bounce or dodge to make them connect with other enemies. Other enemies have the ability to block or land a powerful blow, requiring you to weigh how to handle each encounter. When an enemy rushes in, you can deal a killing blow or dodge, causing him to fall into the crowd behind you. The game is full of scenarios like these that reward patience and timing, which truly reflects what it means to master the art of combat.

While your goal is clear, additional challenges also add variety to the encounters. Challenges such as using only light attacks or eliminating everyone within the time limit reward you with coins that you can spend in the store to enhance your abilities. This is a good way to encourage you to approach battles differently, as the reward will provide more options throughout your run.

Outside of battles, you can explore the monastery. Talking to each of your masters provides insight into the world, enriching the narrative. Rooms open up as you progress, adding additional elements to the game. You can also go to your menu to view all the mechanics and see all the stats as you wander around the area.

Sleek and stylish

I really like the visual style. Large-scale pixel graphics are reminiscent of classics such as IK+, embodying beauty through simplicity. Visual cues are thoughtfully integrated, with colors indicating specific maneuvers so you can anticipate and plan for every encounter. The sound effects and music complement this perfectly, enhancing the tone of the game and helping to create a cohesive, charming aesthetic.

Forestrike is a great idea that just needs some work in its meta progression. Encounters are an absolute thrill, combining combat and puzzle elements to make every fight intense and rewarding. While you earn plenty of power-ups throughout your run, permanent upgrades are few and far between, slowing down the overall pace. What you're left with is a satisfying but sometimes stagnant cycle that relies more on player skill than long-term growth.

***PC code provided by publisher for review***