YAR: Forgotten Throne Review (Xbox Series X|S)

Modern RPGs often prioritise convenience, covering maps in quest markers and streamlining every mechanic in the name of accessibility. YAR: Forgotten Throne takes the opposite approach. This is a game that wants players to carve out their own adventure, learn its systems through experimentation, and gradually build a hero capable of surviving the dangers lurking across Borea. It can be intimidating at first, and its old-school design won't appeal to everyone, but beneath the rough edges lies an ambitious open-world RPG that captures the spirit of genre classics while offering plenty of its own ideas. YAR: Forgotten Throne features three character paths, over 100 quests, multiple factions, extensive crafting systems, and a dark fantasy world threatened by a spreading corruption.

The story takes place in the realm of Borea, a land being slowly consumed by a mysterious darkness that is poisoning forests and wildlife. Players can begin their adventure as a Warrior, Volkhv, or Archer, with each archetype offering a different approach to combat and progression. Rather than delivering a highly cinematic narrative, YAR focuses on exploration, discovery, and player-driven progression. The world gradually reveals its secrets as you venture further from the safety of settlements and uncover the source of the spreading corruption.

Gameplay is where YAR: Forgotten Throne truly distinguishes itself. From the moment you arrive in Borea, you're encouraged to forge your own path rather than follow a strictly guided experience. While a central narrative drives the adventure, much of your time is spent exploring forests, settlements, caves, and wilderness areas in search of quests, resources, hidden secrets, and opportunities to strengthen your character. The world feels designed to reward curiosity, with many distractions pulling you away from the main objective.

Character development plays a huge role throughout the experience. Choosing between a Warrior, Volkhv, or Archer immediately alters how you approach combat and progression. Warriors excel in direct melee confrontations, Archers favour mobility and ranged attacks, while Volkhvs offer magical abilities that open up alternative strategies. As you gain experience, you can improve attributes and unlock both active and passive skills, allowing for meaningful customisation rather than simple linear upgrades.

Combat itself is deliberately challenging. Enemies aren't merely obstacles waiting to be dispatched but genuine threats that can quickly overwhelm an underprepared character. Success often depends on preparation, equipment quality, and understanding enemy behaviour as much as raw skill. Early encounters can feel punishing, but that difficulty creates a satisfying sense of progression. Returning to previously dangerous locations with improved gear and abilities provides a tangible reminder of how far your character has evolved.

The crafting systems add another layer of depth and become far more important than a simple side activity. Players can engage with alchemy, cooking, blacksmithing, enchanting, fishing, and jewellery crafting throughout their journey. Gathering resources while exploring feeds directly into these systems, creating a rewarding gameplay loop where exploration, crafting, and combat all support one another. A newly crafted weapon or enchanted piece of armour can dramatically improve your chances during tougher encounters, making every resource feel valuable.

Questing also deserves praise thanks to its sheer variety. With more than 100 quests available, there's a constant stream of objectives to pursue. Some focus on combat, while others encourage exploration, resource gathering, faction interactions, or helping the inhabitants of Borea with their own problems. The inclusion of two rival factions further encourages role-playing, allowing players to shape elements of their journey through the choices they make.

Another welcome feature is the flexible difficulty system. Players looking mainly for the story and exploration can choose a more forgiving experience, while those seeking a tougher challenge can opt for hardcore settings that introduce greater danger and limited saving opportunities. This flexibility helps broaden the appeal while still preserving the game's old-school RPG identity.

Visually, YAR: Forgotten Throne won't compete with the biggest AAA RPGs, but it possesses a distinctive charm. The varied biomes and settlements create a world that feels lived-in, while the fantasy atmosphere is supported by a fitting soundtrack. There are moments where the game's smaller budget becomes apparent through animations or technical roughness, yet its passion and ambition often shine through those imperfections.

The biggest hurdle for newcomers will be the game's old-fashioned design philosophy. Quest tracking can sometimes feel limited, systems require experimentation, and the game rarely holds your hand. For some players, that will be a deal-breaker. For others, especially fans of classics like Gothic or other challenging open-world RPGs, those same qualities will be exactly what makes YAR so appealing.

Pros

• Huge selection of quests and content

• Deep progression and crafting systems

• Three distinct character classes

• Rewarding exploration and character growth

• Strong old-school RPG atmosphere

Cons

• Rough technical presentation at times

• Steep learning curve

• Limited guidance may frustrate some players

• Dated mechanics compared to modern RPGs

YAR: Forgotten Throne is not a polished blockbuster, but it is an ambitious RPG packed with content, meaningful progression, and a genuine sense of discovery. Its challenging gameplay, deep crafting systems, and expansive quest catalogue create a rewarding adventure for players who enjoy earning their victories rather than having them handed over. While technical rough edges and dated design choices occasionally hold it back, the game's heart, ambition, and commitment to classic RPG principles make it an easy recommendation for fans of old-school fantasy adventures.

XPN Rating: 3.5 out of 5 (SILVER)

YAR: Forgotten Throne is available now!