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{{Short description|2007 video game}}
{{multiple issues|
{{lead too short|date=September 2013}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{more citations needed|date=June 2018}}}}
{{more citations needed|date=June 2018}}
{{Infobox video game
{{Infobox video game
|title = Folklore
| title = Folklore
|image = Folklore (videogame) boxart.jpg
| image = Folklore (videogame) boxart.jpg
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| caption = European cover art
|image_size = 256px
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| developer = [[Game Republic]]{{efn|Additional work by [[Japan Studio]] and [[Gaia (game company)|Gaia]].}}
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|caption = European cover art
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| publisher = [[Sony Computer Entertainment]]
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|developer = [[Game Republic]]{{efn|Additional work by [[SIE Japan Studio|SCE Japan Studio]] and [[Gaia (game company)|Gaia]]}}
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| director = [[Yoshiki Okamoto]]<br>Takashi Shono
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|publisher = [[Sony Computer Entertainment]]
|director = [[Yoshiki Okamoto]]<br>Takashi Shono
| producer = Yoshiki Okamoto<br>[[Kouji Okada]]
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| writer = Hidehisa Miyashita
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|producer = Yoshiki Okamoto<br>[[Kouji Okada]]
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| artist = Kohei Toda<br />Chichiro Matsukura
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|writer = Hidehisa Miyashita
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| composer = [[Kenji Kawai]]<br />[[Shinji Hosoe]]<br />Ayako Saso<br />Hiroto Saitoh
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|artist = Kohei Toda<br />Chichiro Matsukura
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| released = {{vgrelease|JP|June 21, 2007|NA|October 9, 2007|EU|October 12, 2007|AUS|October 18, 2007<ref>{{cite web |url=http://au.playstation.com/games_media/release_schedule.jhtml |title=Games Release Schedule |website=PlayStation Australia |publisher=[[Sony Interactive Entertainment|Sony Computer Entertainment]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070831190347/http://au.playstation.com/games_media/release_schedule.jhtml |archive-date=August 31, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref>}}
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|composer = [[Kenji Kawai]]<br />[[Shinji Hosoe]]<br />Ayako Saso<br />Hiroto Saitoh
| genre = [[Action role-playing game|Action role-playing]]
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|released = {{vgrelease|JP|June 21, 2007|NA|October 9, 2007<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/games/folklore/ps3-826967 |title=Folklore - PlayStation 3 |publisher=[[IGN]] |accessdate=October 23, 2015}}</ref>|EU|October 12, 2007|AUS|October 18, 2007<ref>[http://au.playstation.com/games_media/release_schedule.jhtml ] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070831190347/http://au.playstation.com/games_media/release_schedule.jhtml |date=August 31, 2007 }}</ref>}}
|genre = [[Action role-playing game|Action role-playing]]
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]]
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| platforms = [[PlayStation 3]]
|modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]]
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|platforms = [[PlayStation 3]]
}}
}}


'''''Folklore'''''{{efn|{{nihongo|FolksSoul -失われた伝承-|FōkusuSōru -Ushinawareta Denshō-}} in Japanese}} is a 2007 [[action role-playing game|action role-playing]] [[video game]] developed by [[Game Republic]] and published by [[Sony Computer Entertainment]]. The game is set in Ireland and the [[Celtic Otherworld]] of [[Irish mythology]], centering on a young woman named Ellen, and a journalist named Keats, both playable characters who together unravel the mystery that the quaint village of [[Doolin]] hides, the mystery that can only be solved by seeking the memories of the dead in the dangerous, Folk-ridden Netherworld.
'''''Folklore'''''{{efn|Known in Japanese as {{nihongo||フォークスソウル -失われた伝承-|FōkusuSōru -Ushinawareta Denshō-|lit. ''FolksSoul -The Lost Folklore-''}}.}} is a 2007 [[action role-playing game|action role-playing]] [[video game]] developed by [[Game Republic]] and published by [[Sony Computer Entertainment]] for the [[PlayStation 3]]. Set in Ireland and the [[Celtic Otherworld]] of [[Irish mythology]], the game follows two protagonists: a young woman named Ellen and a journalist named Keats, who work together to unravel the mysteries of the quaint village of [[Doolin]] by seeking the memories of the dead in the Netherworld.

Announced at [[E3 2006]] and originally titled ''Monster Kingdom: Unknown Realms'' as a companion piece to [[Gaia (game company)|Gaia]]'s ''[[Monster Kingdom: Jewel Summoner]]'', the game was co-directed by Yoshiki Okamoto. The first playable demo was released on the Japanese PlayStation Network in May 2007. A month later, the soundtrack album, composed by [[Kenji Kawai]] and [[Shinji Hosoe]], was released. On the review aggregator [[Metacritic]], the game received a generally positive reception. Game Republic proposed two sequels for the game to Sony, but Sony did not greenlight the projects due to low sales.


==Gameplay==
==Gameplay==
[[File:Folklore Screen.jpg|left|thumb|Ellen utilizing "folk" in combat]]
[[File:Folklore Screen.jpg|left|thumb|Ellen utilizing "folk" in combat]]


Folklore is an [[action role-playing game]], where players control characters in a [[Virtual camera system|third-person]] view to both explore their surroundings and engage in combat. From the start, players have a choice to play the game as either of the two lead protagonists, the young woman Ellen or the journalist Keats, both having different yet intertwining plots and play styles. The game is split into two worlds, the real world set in the small sea-side Irish village of [[Doolin]] and the more fantastical Netherworld inhabited by folk creatures and spirits.
Folklore is an [[action role-playing game]] where players control characters in a [[Virtual camera system|third-person]] view to explore their surroundings and engage in combat. From the start, players can choose to play as either Ellen or Keats, each with their own distinct, yet intertwined, storylines and play styles. The game takes place in two worlds: the real world, set in the small seaside Irish village of [[Doolin]], and the fantastical Netherworld, which is inhabited by folk creatures and spirits.


In Doolin, players lead their chosen character throughout the village and surrounding area. When in this state, characters are unable to engage in combat or utilize their abilities and instead will be limited to exploring the village’s locations and interacting with its inhabitants, containing multiple search and slight puzzle-esque quests that progress the main story and eventually lead them to and from the Netherworld, acting as a hub between worlds and subsequent quests.
In Doolin, players control the playable character as they explore the village and surrounding area. When in this state, characters are unable to engage in combat or use their abilities and are limited to exploring and interacting with the village's inhabitants. Doolin contains quests that progress the main story and eventually lead to and from the Netherworld, acting as a hub between worlds and subsequent quests.


When characters pass into the Netherworld, the gameplay shifts entirely towards the action-adventure side of its genre. Basic attack techniques are performed by utilizing "folk", various creatures and spirits that upon defeat can be absorbed for the player’s use. When a folk is nearly defeated, its spirit will glow red, allowing players to absorb it by locking onto it and performing shaking and yanking motions with the [[Sixaxis]] motion control (rather than a conventional button interface) to reel in its energy for use. While the player can choose from nearly all folk encountered and absorbed, only four at a time can be mapped to the controller’s main four interface/action buttons and used in quick succession for combat with different kinds of folk being better suited for certain situations and techniques such as close-combat, projectile attacks or magic. The two playable characters themselves also differ between play styles. While Ellen uses a variety of folk as basic strategy and favors a defensive stance with the ability to cloak herself with folk powers, Keats uses more straight up brute force attacks with usually all-round stronger folk along with the ability to release built-up energy to become invincible and perform stronger attacks for a period of time.
In the Netherworld, the gameplay shifts to action-adventure. Basic attack techniques are performed using folk; creatures and spirits that, when defeated, can be absorbed for use by the player. When a folk is near defeat, its spirit will glow red, allowing players to absorb it by locking onto it and performing shaking and pulling motions with the [[Sixaxis]] to reel in its energy. Only four folk can be assigned to the controller's four interface/action buttons at a time. Different kinds of folk are better suited for certain situations and techniques, such as melee combat, projectile attacks, or magic. The two playable characters also have different play styles. Ellen uses a variety of folk and specializes in defense, having the ability to cloak herself with folk powers, while Keats specializes in offense, using brute-force attacks and stronger folk, and has the ability to release built-up energy to become invincible and stronger for a duration.


==Plot==
==Plot==
In the present day, two people are drawn to the Irish seaside village of [[Doolin]]; Ellen, a university student with no memory of her childhood who receives a letter from her deceased mother Ingrid, and Keats, editor of the struggling occult magazine ''Unknown Realms'', who receives a phone call from a woman who says that [[Fairy|Faerys]] are attacking her. Upon their arrival at Doolin, Ellen quickly befriends villager Suzette. On the night of [[Samhain]], Ellen and Keats enter the Netherworld, the realm of the dead, through portals and gain power over monsters called the Folk. They are respectively guided by Scarcrow and Belgae, liminal beings known as Half-lives. Ellen meets and allies with the Faery King, who seeks to restore the Netherworld's Core and defeat a faction of rebel Faerys, while Keats allies with the rebel leader Livane, whom Belgae serves. The Faery King reveals his true goal of merging the Netherworld with the human world due to their conflict having driven the Netherworld into despair, but Livane, who is the last descendant of a human clan that sealed off the Netherworld from humanity, seeks to maintain the separation. Meanwhile, murders begin to occur in Doolin, with the victims being people who knew something about Ellen's past, with Ellen helping the survivors by interacting with their spirits in the Netherworld.
The game takes place in the present day. A young university student by the name of Ellen ([[Lisa Hogg]]) is lured to the sea-side village of Doolin, in Ireland, led by a letter from her supposedly dead mother, telling her to meet her at the Cliff of Sidhe, Doolin. Meanwhile Keats ([[Richard Coyle]]), a journalist from an occult magazine called ''Unknown Realms'', receives a telephone call from a woman in distress telling him to come to Doolin, and crying about Faerys who would kill her. Though he suspects it is a prank call, he pays a visit to Doolin Village.

When Ellen arrives at the Cliff of Sidhe, she sees a cloaked figure resting at the edge. Thinking it is her mother, she calls out to the figure, but it does not reply. Keats arrives on the scene then, and asks Ellen if she was the one who called him. When she, surprised, says no, he wonders aloud if the figure at the cliff was the one who called him.

A strong gust of wind suddenly blows across the cliff, and when it dies down, the figure has disappeared. Ellen, distraught, runs down to the beach to find the body and bumps into a girl from the village named Suzette. She questions Ellen, but she is so distressed that she faints. Keats arrives and, after questioning Suzette about Ellen, decides that the best thing would be to bring Ellen back into the village.


During her adventure, Ellen learns that when she was a child, she lived in Doolin under the name Cecilia, with her family sharing the same lineage as Livane. She befriended Herve, who was terminally ill; after Cecilia was injured in an accident, Herve donated her blood to save her through a blood transfusion, but died as a result. Her death caused the town to hate Cecilia, as they considered her to be responsible for her death, but a Faery had been possessing and influencing them. Ingrid killed Herve's father when he attacked Ellen, then hid Ellen in the Netherworld and fled from Doolin with her. Herve's mother wrote the letter that Ellen had received, having planned to kill her, but Ingrid's spirit killed her before she could do so. Suzette is revealed to be the current culprit, having sought to stop Ellen from learning the truth about her past after seeing Ingrid's spirit.
Suzette brings Ellen to a small hut and Keats to a base on the edge of the village. That night, they are both visited by strange voices who invite them to the village pub, where they meet creatures they had never before thought existed, and are taken to a place that surpasses all imagination: the Netherworld, realm of the dead. Soon Keats and Ellen find themselves in a 17-year-old murder mystery, where the answers seem to only be found in the Netherworld, the land that can only be accessed from one place in the world, Doolin. To solve the crime and reveal Ellen's forgotten past, they will need to venture to the Netherworld as travelers, where Faerys and Folks alike await them.


Upon reaching the Netherworld Core, which has been corrupted by human malice, the Faery King is killed. After recovering her memories, Ellen decides to keep the worlds separate and is forced to fight Scarecrow with help from Keats and Livane after he absorbs the malice and declares that he will spread death to the living world. In the Netherworld Core, Ellen remembers that Livane told her of the place's power and that she had used her blood to make a wish for people to cherish life, creating Scarecrow. Ellen finds Livane, who, as she is dying, tasks her with helping anguished humans through the Netherworld. Keats learns that he is a Half-life created by Herve's dying wish and mentally summoned to Doolin by Herve's wish to protect Ellen; the magazine ''Unknown Realms'' had closed down shortly before Eliot's death, and his appearance is based on Ellen's childhood drawing of what Herve would have looked like as an adult. The game ends with Suzette disappearing, Ellen leaving Doolin with its inhabitants better off, and Keats being visited by a grateful Ellen at his office in the Netherworld.
Along the way they meet a variety of different characters, like Scarecrow and Belgae, who help out both of them in their quest. Throughout the game, players learn about the chaos the Netherworld was put into by a previous Netherworld traveller. The eventual goal is to reach the core of the Netherworld and "fix" it. The game takes two different perspectives in the story that shows the different views and opinions of many different characters. While traveling in the Netherworld, many mysterious murders start to occur in the village of Doolin after the appearance of "The Hag." The people murdered are the only ones who knew the truth (or part of the truth) of Ellen's past.


==Development==
==Development==
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A playable demo was first released on the Japanese [[PlayStation Network]] (PSN) on May 30, 2007. The demo features the two playable characters Keats and Ellen, with the ability to choose from either of them. The demo includes a series of short comic-style cutscenes, exploration of a sea-side village and a trek through a series of playable areas where a player is introduced to the gameplay basics (i.e. fighting, how to acquire new Ids, etc.). This demo was all in Japanese aside from the lines in English that both protagonists would occasionally exclaim during combat.
A playable demo was first released on the Japanese [[PlayStation Network]] (PSN) on May 30, 2007. The demo features the two playable characters Keats and Ellen, with the ability to choose from either of them. The demo includes a series of short comic-style cutscenes, exploration of a sea-side village and a trek through a series of playable areas where a player is introduced to the gameplay basics (i.e. fighting, how to acquire new Ids, etc.). This demo was all in Japanese aside from the lines in English that both protagonists would occasionally exclaim during combat.


An English speech demonstration was released on the European PSN on August 22, 2007; as a limited time offering, it was removed from the [[PlayStation Store]] on August 31. This demo was released to the North American PSN on August 23, 2007. An English/Traditional Chinese speech version demo was released on the Asian PSN on September 4, 2007. The original Japanese demo was released in English version on European and US PlayStation Network Stores.
An English-speech demonstration was released on the European PSN on August 22, 2007; as a limited time offering, it was removed from the [[PlayStation Store]] on August 31. This demo was released to the North American PSN on August 23, 2007. An English/Traditional Chinese speech version demo was released on the Asian PSN on September 4, 2007. The original Japanese demo was released in English on European and US PlayStation Network Stores.


==Soundtrack==
==Soundtrack==
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| type = [[Soundtrack]]
| type = [[Soundtrack]]
| artist = [[Kenji Kawai]], [[Shinji Hosoe]], Ayako Saso and Hiroto Saitoh, arranged by [[Kenji Kawai]]
| artist = [[Kenji Kawai]], [[Shinji Hosoe]], Ayako Saso and Hiroto Saitoh, arranged by [[Kenji Kawai]]
| cover =
| cover = blank
| alt =
| alt =
| released = {{start date|2007|06|27}} (Japan)
| released = {{start date|2007|06|27}} (Japan)
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| next_year =
| next_year =
}}
}}
The official ''Folklore'' soundtrack was released on 3 discs on June 27, 2007 by TEAM Entertainment. The music was composed by [[Kenji Kawai]], [[Shinji Hosoe]], Ayako Saso and Hiroto Saitoh. The song "Nephilim" by Japanese band [[Abingdon Boys School]] plays during the end credits.
The official ''Folklore'' soundtrack was released on 3 discs on June 27, 2007, by TEAM Entertainment. The music was composed by [[Kenji Kawai]], [[Shinji Hosoe]], Ayako Saso and Hiroto Saitoh. The song "Nephilim" by Japanese band [[Abingdon Boys School]] plays during the end credits.


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==Reception==
==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
{{Video game reviews
| MC = 75/100<ref name="MC">{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-3/folklore |title=Folklore for PlayStation 3 Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |accessdate=June 21, 2015}}</ref>
| MC = 75/100<ref name="MC">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/folklore/ |title=Folklore |website=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[Fandom (website)|Fandom]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210200217/https://www.metacritic.com/game/folklore/ |archive-date=December 10, 2023 |url-status=live |access-date=July 22, 2024}}</ref>
| Edge = 5/10<ref>{{cite journal |author=Edge staff |title=Folklore |magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] |issue=182 |date=December 2007 |page=88}}</ref>
| Edge = 5/10<ref>{{cite magazine |author=Edge staff |title=Folklore |magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |issue=182 |date=December 2007 |page=88}}</ref>
| EGM = 7/10<ref>{{cite journal |author=EGM staff |title=Folklore |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |date=December 2007 |page=110}}</ref>
| EGM = 7/10<ref>{{cite magazine |author=EGM staff |title=Folklore |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |issue=222 |date=December 2007 |page=110}}</ref>
| EuroG = 5/10<ref name="Eurogamer review">{{cite web |last=McCarthy |first=Date |date=July 27, 2007 |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/folklore-review |title=Folklore |publisher=[[Eurogamer]] |accessdate=October 23, 2015}}</ref>
| EuroG = 5/10<ref name="Eurogamer review">{{cite web |last=McCarthy |first=Date |date=July 27, 2007 |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/folklore-review |title=Folklore |website=[[Eurogamer]] |publisher=[[Gamer Network]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026205712/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/folklore-review |archive-date=October 26, 2014 |url-status=live |access-date=July 22, 2024}}</ref>
| Fam = 33/40<ref name="Famitsu score">{{cite web |url=http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=163158 |title=This week's Famitsu news (June 13, 2007) |publisher=[[NeoGAF]] |date=June 13, 2007 |accessdate=October 31, 2016}}</ref>
| Fam = 33/40<ref name="Famitsu score">{{cite web |date=June 13, 2007 |url=https://www.neogaf.com/threads/this-weeks-famitsu-news-june-13-2007.163158/ |title=This week's Famitsu news (June 13, 2007) |website=[[NeoGAF]] |publisher=NeoGaf LLC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608160355/https://www.neogaf.com/threads/this-weeks-famitsu-news-june-13-2007.163158/ |archive-date=June 8, 2023 |url-status=live |access-date=July 22, 2024}}</ref>
| GI = 7.25/10<ref>{{cite journal |title=Folklore |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |issue=176 |date=December 2007 |page=148}}</ref>
| GI = 7.25/10<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Folklore |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |issue=176 |date=December 2007 |page=148}}</ref>
| GamePro = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web |last=Melick |first=Todd |date=October 9, 2007 |url=http://gamepro.com/sony/ps3/games/reviews/139048.shtml |title=Review: Folklore |publisher=''[[GamePro]]'' |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080109010529/http://gamepro.com/sony/ps3/games/reviews/139048.shtml |archivedate=January 9, 2008 |deadurl=yes |accessdate=October 24, 2015}}</ref>
| GD = 4/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Buffa |first=Chris |date=October 4, 2007 |url=http://www.gamedaily.com/games/folklore/playstation-3/game-reviews/review/6194/1785/ |title=Folklore Review |website=[[GameDaily]] |publisher=[[AOL]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011001630/http://www.gamedaily.com/games/folklore/playstation-3/game-reviews/review/6194/1785/ |archive-date=October 11, 2007 |url-status=dead |access-date=July 22, 2024}}</ref>
| GameRev = C+<ref>{{cite web |last=Tan |first=Nick |date=October 4, 2007 |url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/folklore |title=Folklore Review |publisher=[[Game Revolution]] |accessdate=October 24, 2015}}</ref>
| GameRev = C+<ref>{{cite web |last=Tan |first=Nicholas |date=October 4, 2007 |url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/38824-folklore-review |title=Folklore Review |website=[[GameRevolution]] |publisher=[[CraveOnline]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907224753/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/folklore |archive-date=September 7, 2015 |url-status=live |access-date=July 22, 2024}}</ref>
| GSpot = 7/10<ref name="Gamespot review">{{cite web |last=VanOrd |first=Kevin |date=October 5, 2007 |url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/folklore-review/1900-6180529/ |title=Folklore Review |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |accessdate=October 23, 2015}}</ref>
| GSpot = 7/10<ref name="Gamespot review">{{cite web |last=VanOrd |first=Kevin |date=October 5, 2007 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/folklore-review/1900-6180529/ |title=Folklore Review |website=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=Fandom |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230517091013/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/folklore-review/1900-6180529/ |archive-date=May 17, 2023 |url-status=live |access-date=July 22, 2024}}</ref>
| GSpy = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="GameSpy review">{{cite web |last=Lewis |first=Cameron |date=October 8, 2007 |url=http://ps3.gamespy.com/playstation-3/monster-kingdom/825547p1.html |title=GameSpy: Folklore |publisher=[[GameSpy]] |accessdate=October 23, 2015}}</ref>
| GSpy = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="GameSpy review">{{cite web |last=Lewis |first=Cameron |date=October 8, 2007 |url=http://ps3.gamespy.com/playstation-3/monster-kingdom/825547p1.html |title=GameSpy: Folklore |website=[[GameSpy]] |publisher=IGN Entertainment |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011004854/http://ps3.gamespy.com/playstation-3/monster-kingdom/825547p1.html |archive-date=October 11, 2007 |url-status=live |access-date=July 22, 2024}}</ref>
| GT = 7.2/10<ref name="GameTrailers review">{{cite web |url=http://www.gametrailers.com/reviews/dsgtc3/folklore-review |title=Folklore Review |publisher=[[GameTrailers]] |date=October 4, 2007 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121225055636/http://www.gametrailers.com/reviews/dsgtc3/folklore-review |archivedate=December 25, 2012 |deadurl=yes |accessdate=October 31, 2016}}</ref>
| GT = 7.2/10<ref name="GameTrailers review">{{cite web |date=October 4, 2007 |url=http://www.gametrailers.com/reviews/dsgtc3/folklore-review |title=Folklore Review |website=[[GameTrailers]] |publisher=[[Viacom (2005–2019)|Viacom]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121225055636/http://www.gametrailers.com/reviews/dsgtc3/folklore-review |archive-date=December 25, 2012 |url-status=dead |access-date=October 31, 2016}}</ref>
| GameZone = 9/10<ref name="GameZone review">{{cite web |last=Lafferty |first=Michael |date=October 4, 2007 |url=http://ps3.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r32558.htm |title=Folklore Review - PlayStation 3 |publisher=GameZone |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081004121831/http://ps3.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r32558.htm |archivedate=October 4, 2008 |deadurl=yes |accessdate=October 23, 2015}}</ref>
| IGN = 9/10<ref name="IGN review">{{cite web |last=Clements |first=Ryan |date=October 3, 2007 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/10/04/folklore-review |title=Folklore Review |website=[[IGN]] |publisher=Ziff Davis |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923115048/https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/10/04/folklore-review |archive-date=September 23, 2023 |url-status=live |access-date=July 22, 2024}}</ref>
| IGN = 9/10<ref name="IGN review">{{cite web |last=Clements |first=Ryan |date=October 3, 2007 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/10/04/folklore-review |title=Folklore Review |publisher=IGN |accessdate=October 23, 2015}}</ref>
| PSM = 8/10<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Dun |first=Teresa |url=https://archive.org/details/psm-issue-130-december-2007/page/84/mode/2up |title=Folklore |magazine=[[PlayStation: The Official Magazine|PSM]] |publisher=[[Future US]] |issue=130 |date=December 2007 |page=84 |access-date=July 22, 2024}}</ref>
| RPG = 4.5/5<ref>{{cite web |last=Kepper |first=Sean |date=October 17, 2007 |url=https://archive.rpgamer.com/games/other/ps3/folklore/reviews/folklorestrev1.html |title=Folklore - Staff Review |website=RPGamer |publisher=CraveOnline |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080707002837/https://www.rpgamer.com/games/other/ps3/folklore/reviews/folklorestrev1.html |archive-date=July 7, 2008 |url-status=live |access-date=July 22, 2024}}</ref>
| PSM = 8/10<ref>{{cite journal |title=Review: Folklore |magazine=[[PlayStation: The Official Magazine|PSM]] |date=December 2007 |page=84}}</ref>
| RPGFan = 82%<ref>{{cite web |last=Gann |first=Patrick |date=December 10, 2007 |url=https://www.rpgfan.com/review/folklore/ |title=Folklore |website=RPGFan |publisher=Emerald Shield Media LLC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005013124/https://www.rpgfan.com/review/folklore/ |archive-date=October 5, 2023 |url-status=live |access-date=July 22, 2024}}</ref>
}}
}}


Upon release, ''Folklore'' received "favorable" reviews according to video game [[review aggregator]] [[Metacritic]].<ref name="MC"/> In Japan, ''[[Famitsu]]'' gave it a score of three eights and a nine, for a total of 33 out of 40.<ref name="Famitsu score"/>
Upon release, ''Folklore'' received "favorable" reviews according to video game [[review aggregator]] [[Metacritic]].<ref name="MC"/> In Japan, ''[[Famitsu]]'' gave it a score of three eights and a nine, for a total of 33 out of 40.<ref name="Famitsu score"/> ''[[GamePro]]'' said, "What saves this game from being just another monster collection RPG is the compelling narrative and the unique environments. I am also looking forward to the downloadable content which should help keep things fresh in the future. Although it isn't perfect, ''Folklore'' is definitely one fairy tale worth finishing."<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Melick |first=Todd |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/0/07/GamePro_US_231.pdf |title=Folklore |magazine=[[GamePro]] |publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]] |issue=231 |date=December 2007 |page=123 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080109010529/http://gamepro.com/sony/ps3/games/reviews/139048.shtml |archive-date=January 9, 2008 |url-status=live |access-date=July 22, 2024}}</ref>{{efn|''[[GamePro]]'' gave the game three 4/5 scores for graphics, sound, and fun factor, and 4.25/5 for control.}}


Most of the praise the game received was direct at the art design and a rich fairy tale/mythological setting and style. Ryan Clements of [[IGN]] was particularly impressed with the game’s style over the actual technical graphics engine, noting that "''Folklore'''s sheer visual beauty comes more from the stellar art direction and execution of the artistic design than the amount of processing power it requires,” helped further by the soundtrack described as "poignant and intrinsically atmospheric."<ref name="IGN review"/> This view was further echoed by Gaming Target, summing up with "technically the game looks great, with the realistic style of Doolin, mixed in with the colorful and absurdly Japanese stylings of the Netherworld levels," later including ''Folklore'' in their "52 Games We'll Still Be Playing From 2007." <ref>{{cite web |author=GT staff |date=December 31, 2007 |url=http://www.gamingtarget.com/article.php?artid=8069 |title=52 Games We'll Still Be Playing From 2007 |publisher=Gaming Target |accessdate=June 21, 2015}}</ref>
Most of the praise the game received was direct at the art design and a rich fairy tale/mythological setting and style. Ryan Clements of ''[[IGN]]'' was particularly impressed with the game's style over the actual technical graphics engine, noting that "''Folklore''{{'}}s sheer visual beauty comes more from the stellar art direction and execution of the artistic design than the amount of processing power it requires," helped further by the soundtrack described as "poignant and intrinsically atmospheric."<ref name="IGN review"/> This view was further echoed by ''Gaming Target'', summing up with "technically the game looks great, with the realistic style of Doolin, mixed in with the colorful and absurdly Japanese stylings of the Netherworld levels," later including ''Folklore'' in their "52 Games We'll Still Be Playing From 2007."<ref>{{cite web |author=GT staff |date=December 31, 2007 |url=https://www.gamingtarget.com/article.php?artid=8069 |title=52 Games We'll Still Be Playing From 2007 |website=Gaming Target |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231111153512/https://www.gamingtarget.com/article.php?artid=8069 |archive-date=November 11, 2023 |url-status=live |access-date=July 22, 2024}}</ref>


The battle system where players would catch and utilize various "folk" was considered another positive aspect. [[GameSpy]] found that "what makes the enormous library of monsters and moves work so well is that each is most useful in a particular situation"<ref name="GameSpy review"/> and while [[GameTrailers]] also praised the feature finding that "switching folk in and out of your arsenal is easy thanks to well-organized menus," it also criticized brief loading times between shifting in and out of the menus that "puts a damper on the game’s flow."<ref name="GameTrailers review"/> [[Eurogamer]] on the other hand felt that the basic level design was "pretty standard dungeon crawling," if not "bland" at times. The use of the SIXAXIS motion control to reel in energy from downed folk was considered a better use of the feature compared to past games, with [[1UP.com]] calling it "the most subtle and sensible use of the PS3's motion control yet."<ref name="Eurogamer review"/><ref>{{cite web |last=Barnholt |first=Ray |date=October 9, 2007 |url=http://www.1up.com/reviews/folklore |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604003110/http://www.1up.com/reviews/folklore |dead-url=yes |archive-date=June 4, 2011 |title=Folklore |publisher=[[1UP.com]] |accessdate=October 23, 2015 }}</ref>
The battle system where players would catch and utilize various "folk" was considered another positive aspect. ''[[GameSpy]]'' found that "what makes the enormous library of monsters and moves work so well is that each is most useful in a particular situation"<ref name="GameSpy review"/> and while ''[[GameTrailers]]'' also praised the feature finding that "switching folk in and out of your arsenal is easy thanks to well-organized menus," it also criticized brief loading times between shifting in and out of the menus that "puts a damper on the game’s flow."<ref name="GameTrailers review"/> ''[[Eurogamer]]'' on the other hand felt that the basic level design was "pretty standard dungeon crawling," if not "bland" at times. The use of the SIXAXIS motion control to reel in energy from downed folk was considered a better use of the feature compared to past games, with ''[[1Up.com]]'' calling it "the most subtle and sensible use of the PS3's motion control yet."<ref name="Eurogamer review"/><ref>{{cite web |last=Barnholt |first=Ray |date=October 9, 2007 |url=http://www.1up.com/reviews/folklore |title=Folklore |website=[[1Up.com]] |publisher=Ziff Davis |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604003110/http://www.1up.com/reviews/folklore |archive-date=June 4, 2011 |url-status=dead |access-date=October 23, 2015}}</ref>


While the narrative was considered a strong point, with GameZone calling it "compelling," the method of telling much of the story in graphic-novel style still cutscenes however received a less than positive response.<ref name="GameZone review"/> Kevin VanOrd of [[GameSpot]] felt that while "an interesting design choice" is, in the end "weirdly flavorless."<ref name="Gamespot review"/> Another issue found in this method was the lack of voice-work outside of the full CGI cutscenes with [[GamesRadar]] (in-house) finding it to hinder the delivery of the overall story.<ref>[http://www.gamesradar.com/us/ps3/game/reviews/article.jsp?articleId=2007092517183422088&sectionId=1000&pageId=20070925171854786003]{{Dead link|date=October 2015}}</ref>
While the narrative was considered a strong point, with ''GameZone'' (who gave it nine out of ten) calling it "compelling," the method of telling much of the story in graphic-novel style still cutscenes however received a less than positive response.<ref>{{cite web |last=Lafferty |first=Michael |date=October 4, 2007 |url=http://ps3.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r32558.htm |title=Folklore Review - PlayStation 3 |website=GameZone |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081004121831/http://ps3.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r32558.htm |archive-date=October 4, 2008 |url-status=dead |access-date=October 23, 2015}}</ref> Kevin VanOrd of ''[[GameSpot]]'' felt that while "an interesting design choice" is, in the end "weirdly flavorless."<ref name="Gamespot review"/> Another issue found in this method was the lack of voice-work outside of the full CGI cutscenes with ''[[GamesRadar+]]'' (in-house) finding it to hinder the delivery of the overall story.<ref>[http://www.gamesradar.com/us/ps3/game/reviews/article.jsp?articleId=2007092517183422088&sectionId=1000&pageId=20070925171854786003]{{Dead link|date=October 2015}}</ref>


===Cancelled sequel===
===Cancelled sequel===
The now-defunct Game Republic was planning a [[PlayStation Portable]] or download only Move compatible ''Folklore'' sequel and had pitched the idea to Sony. The idea was well received by Sony but due to poor sales of the original ''Folklore'' were not keen to green light the project which failed to pass the internal review board at Sony by a few points.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thegamingliberty.com/index.php/2011/07/07/game-republic-were-planning-folklore-2-with-move-support |title=Game Republic were planning Folklore 2 with Move support |publisher=TheGamingLiberty.com |date=July 7, 2011 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120716125923/http://thegamingliberty.com/index.php/2011/07/07/game-republic-were-planning-folklore-2-with-move-support |archivedate=July 16, 2012 |deadurl=yes}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Romero |first=Josh |date=January 5, 2009 |url=http://www.videogamesblogger.com/2009/01/05/folklore-2-and-brave-story-2-will-not-be-made-says-game-republic-founder.htm |title=Folklore 2 and Brave Story 2 will not be made, says Game Republic founder |publisher=Video Games Blogger |accessdate=June 21, 2015}}</ref>
[[Game Republic]] proposed two sequels for the game, a proper game for the [[PlayStation Portable]] and a download-only game utilizing the [[PlayStation Move]] to Sony. The idea was well received by Sony but due to poor sales of the original ''Folklore'' were not keen to green light the project which failed to pass the internal review board at Sony by a few points.<ref>{{cite web |date=July 7, 2011 |url=http://thegamingliberty.com/index.php/2011/07/07/game-republic-were-planning-folklore-2-with-move-support |title=Game Republic were planning Folklore 2 with Move support |website=TheGamingLiberty.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120716125923/http://thegamingliberty.com/index.php/2011/07/07/game-republic-were-planning-folklore-2-with-move-support |archive-date=July 16, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Romero |first=Josh |date=January 5, 2009 |url=https://www.videogamesblogger.com/2009/01/05/folklore-2-and-brave-story-2-will-not-be-made-says-game-republic-founder.htm |title=Folklore 2 and Brave Story 2 will not be made, says Game Republic founder |website=Video Games Blogger |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226001659/https://www.videogamesblogger.com/2009/01/05/folklore-2-and-brave-story-2-will-not-be-made-says-game-republic-founder.htm |archive-date=February 26, 2021 |url-status=live |access-date=July 22, 2024}}</ref>


{{clear}}
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==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.jp.playstation.com/scej/title/folks/ Official website] {{ja icon}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070622105419/http://www.jp.playstation.com/scej/title/folks/ Official website] {{in lang|ja}}
* {{moby game|id=/30599/folklore/}}


{{Game Republic}}
{{Game Republic}}
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Latest revision as of 08:17, 3 November 2024

Folklore
European cover art
Developer(s)Game Republic[a]
Publisher(s)Sony Computer Entertainment
Director(s)Yoshiki Okamoto
Takashi Shono
Producer(s)Yoshiki Okamoto
Kouji Okada
Artist(s)Kohei Toda
Chichiro Matsukura
Writer(s)Hidehisa Miyashita
Composer(s)Kenji Kawai
Shinji Hosoe
Ayako Saso
Hiroto Saitoh
Platform(s)PlayStation 3
Release
  • JP: June 21, 2007
  • NA: October 9, 2007
  • EU: October 12, 2007
  • AU: October 18, 2007[1]
Genre(s)Action role-playing
Mode(s)Single-player

Folklore[b] is a 2007 action role-playing video game developed by Game Republic and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 3. Set in Ireland and the Celtic Otherworld of Irish mythology, the game follows two protagonists: a young woman named Ellen and a journalist named Keats, who work together to unravel the mysteries of the quaint village of Doolin by seeking the memories of the dead in the Netherworld.

Announced at E3 2006 and originally titled Monster Kingdom: Unknown Realms as a companion piece to Gaia's Monster Kingdom: Jewel Summoner, the game was co-directed by Yoshiki Okamoto. The first playable demo was released on the Japanese PlayStation Network in May 2007. A month later, the soundtrack album, composed by Kenji Kawai and Shinji Hosoe, was released. On the review aggregator Metacritic, the game received a generally positive reception. Game Republic proposed two sequels for the game to Sony, but Sony did not greenlight the projects due to low sales.

Gameplay

[edit]
Ellen utilizing "folk" in combat

Folklore is an action role-playing game where players control characters in a third-person view to explore their surroundings and engage in combat. From the start, players can choose to play as either Ellen or Keats, each with their own distinct, yet intertwined, storylines and play styles. The game takes place in two worlds: the real world, set in the small seaside Irish village of Doolin, and the fantastical Netherworld, which is inhabited by folk creatures and spirits.

In Doolin, players control the playable character as they explore the village and surrounding area. When in this state, characters are unable to engage in combat or use their abilities and are limited to exploring and interacting with the village's inhabitants. Doolin contains quests that progress the main story and eventually lead to and from the Netherworld, acting as a hub between worlds and subsequent quests.

In the Netherworld, the gameplay shifts to action-adventure. Basic attack techniques are performed using folk; creatures and spirits that, when defeated, can be absorbed for use by the player. When a folk is near defeat, its spirit will glow red, allowing players to absorb it by locking onto it and performing shaking and pulling motions with the Sixaxis to reel in its energy. Only four folk can be assigned to the controller's four interface/action buttons at a time. Different kinds of folk are better suited for certain situations and techniques, such as melee combat, projectile attacks, or magic. The two playable characters also have different play styles. Ellen uses a variety of folk and specializes in defense, having the ability to cloak herself with folk powers, while Keats specializes in offense, using brute-force attacks and stronger folk, and has the ability to release built-up energy to become invincible and stronger for a duration.

Plot

[edit]

In the present day, two people are drawn to the Irish seaside village of Doolin; Ellen, a university student with no memory of her childhood who receives a letter from her deceased mother Ingrid, and Keats, editor of the struggling occult magazine Unknown Realms, who receives a phone call from a woman who says that Faerys are attacking her. Upon their arrival at Doolin, Ellen quickly befriends villager Suzette. On the night of Samhain, Ellen and Keats enter the Netherworld, the realm of the dead, through portals and gain power over monsters called the Folk. They are respectively guided by Scarcrow and Belgae, liminal beings known as Half-lives. Ellen meets and allies with the Faery King, who seeks to restore the Netherworld's Core and defeat a faction of rebel Faerys, while Keats allies with the rebel leader Livane, whom Belgae serves. The Faery King reveals his true goal of merging the Netherworld with the human world due to their conflict having driven the Netherworld into despair, but Livane, who is the last descendant of a human clan that sealed off the Netherworld from humanity, seeks to maintain the separation. Meanwhile, murders begin to occur in Doolin, with the victims being people who knew something about Ellen's past, with Ellen helping the survivors by interacting with their spirits in the Netherworld.

During her adventure, Ellen learns that when she was a child, she lived in Doolin under the name Cecilia, with her family sharing the same lineage as Livane. She befriended Herve, who was terminally ill; after Cecilia was injured in an accident, Herve donated her blood to save her through a blood transfusion, but died as a result. Her death caused the town to hate Cecilia, as they considered her to be responsible for her death, but a Faery had been possessing and influencing them. Ingrid killed Herve's father when he attacked Ellen, then hid Ellen in the Netherworld and fled from Doolin with her. Herve's mother wrote the letter that Ellen had received, having planned to kill her, but Ingrid's spirit killed her before she could do so. Suzette is revealed to be the current culprit, having sought to stop Ellen from learning the truth about her past after seeing Ingrid's spirit.

Upon reaching the Netherworld Core, which has been corrupted by human malice, the Faery King is killed. After recovering her memories, Ellen decides to keep the worlds separate and is forced to fight Scarecrow with help from Keats and Livane after he absorbs the malice and declares that he will spread death to the living world. In the Netherworld Core, Ellen remembers that Livane told her of the place's power and that she had used her blood to make a wish for people to cherish life, creating Scarecrow. Ellen finds Livane, who, as she is dying, tasks her with helping anguished humans through the Netherworld. Keats learns that he is a Half-life created by Herve's dying wish and mentally summoned to Doolin by Herve's wish to protect Ellen; the magazine Unknown Realms had closed down shortly before Eliot's death, and his appearance is based on Ellen's childhood drawing of what Herve would have looked like as an adult. The game ends with Suzette disappearing, Ellen leaving Doolin with its inhabitants better off, and Keats being visited by a grateful Ellen at his office in the Netherworld.

Development

[edit]

Folklore was announced at E3 2006 which was said to be "The next generation of dark fantasy." It was to be developed by Game Republic, under Yoshiki Okamoto, a video game designer who worked on popular games, including Resident Evil. The game was originally titled Monster Kingdom: Unknown Realms, and was intended as a companion piece to Gaia's Monster Kingdom: Jewel Summoner. However, disappointing sales of Jewel Summoner led to the game being retitled Folklore. Gaia however would assist the development of Folklore, contributing monster designs. Numerous creatures appearing in Folklore would later appear in Gaia's PlayStation Portable game Coded Soul: Uketsugareshi Idea the following year, which also featured connectivity with Folklore.

A playable demo was first released on the Japanese PlayStation Network (PSN) on May 30, 2007. The demo features the two playable characters Keats and Ellen, with the ability to choose from either of them. The demo includes a series of short comic-style cutscenes, exploration of a sea-side village and a trek through a series of playable areas where a player is introduced to the gameplay basics (i.e. fighting, how to acquire new Ids, etc.). This demo was all in Japanese aside from the lines in English that both protagonists would occasionally exclaim during combat.

An English-speech demonstration was released on the European PSN on August 22, 2007; as a limited time offering, it was removed from the PlayStation Store on August 31. This demo was released to the North American PSN on August 23, 2007. An English/Traditional Chinese speech version demo was released on the Asian PSN on September 4, 2007. The original Japanese demo was released in English on European and US PlayStation Network Stores.

Soundtrack

[edit]
FolksSoul: The Lost Folklore
Soundtrack album by
Kenji Kawai, Shinji Hosoe, Ayako Saso and Hiroto Saitoh, arranged by Kenji Kawai
ReleasedJune 27, 2007 (2007-06-27) (Japan)
GenreVideo game soundtrack
Length172:40 (three CDs)
LabelTeam Entertainment

The official Folklore soundtrack was released on 3 discs on June 27, 2007, by TEAM Entertainment. The music was composed by Kenji Kawai, Shinji Hosoe, Ayako Saso and Hiroto Saitoh. The song "Nephilim" by Japanese band Abingdon Boys School plays during the end credits.

FolksSoul Original Soundtrack track listing
Disc 1
  1. The Beginning of the Journey
  2. A Mysterious Door
  3. The Netherworld
  4. Solitude
  5. Resolution
  6. Awakening
  7. Rumbling
  8. Mystery
  9. The Fairy Waltz
  10. Crisis
  11. Escaping the Myth
  12. Where the Flowers are Scattered
  13. A Voice from the Past
  14. Resurfacing Past
  15. Speaking With the Dead
  16. Endless Battlefield
  17. Menace
  18. Avalon
 Disc 2
  1. Ancient Breath
  2. An Undertaking
  3. Impact
  4. Visited Tragedy
  5. Land of the Gods
  6. An Arranged History
  7. Trial
  8. The Serpent's Lair
  9. Sorrow
  10. Distant Memories
  11. The Forgotten Village
  12. Irish Lullaby
  13. Danny Boy
  14. Between Life and Death
  15. Rest
 Disc 3
  1. To the Unknown World
  2. Engraved Time
  3. Map of Penfield
  4. In the Land of Judgement
  5. Courtroom
  6. The Judge and the Judged
  7. The End of the Memories
  8. Showdown
  9. The Darkness Within
  10. Truth
  11. Determination
  12. Under a Falling Star
  13. Sovereign Vessel
  14. Skilled Spear
  15. Transfiguration
  16. Those Who Must Fear
  17. The Beginning of the End
  18. Collapse
  19. Where the Soul Goes

Reception

[edit]

Upon release, Folklore received "favorable" reviews according to video game review aggregator Metacritic.[2] In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of three eights and a nine, for a total of 33 out of 40.[6] GamePro said, "What saves this game from being just another monster collection RPG is the compelling narrative and the unique environments. I am also looking forward to the downloadable content which should help keep things fresh in the future. Although it isn't perfect, Folklore is definitely one fairy tale worth finishing."[17][c]

Most of the praise the game received was direct at the art design and a rich fairy tale/mythological setting and style. Ryan Clements of IGN was particularly impressed with the game's style over the actual technical graphics engine, noting that "Folklore's sheer visual beauty comes more from the stellar art direction and execution of the artistic design than the amount of processing power it requires," helped further by the soundtrack described as "poignant and intrinsically atmospheric."[13] This view was further echoed by Gaming Target, summing up with "technically the game looks great, with the realistic style of Doolin, mixed in with the colorful and absurdly Japanese stylings of the Netherworld levels," later including Folklore in their "52 Games We'll Still Be Playing From 2007."[18]

The battle system where players would catch and utilize various "folk" was considered another positive aspect. GameSpy found that "what makes the enormous library of monsters and moves work so well is that each is most useful in a particular situation"[11] and while GameTrailers also praised the feature finding that "switching folk in and out of your arsenal is easy thanks to well-organized menus," it also criticized brief loading times between shifting in and out of the menus that "puts a damper on the game’s flow."[12] Eurogamer on the other hand felt that the basic level design was "pretty standard dungeon crawling," if not "bland" at times. The use of the SIXAXIS motion control to reel in energy from downed folk was considered a better use of the feature compared to past games, with 1Up.com calling it "the most subtle and sensible use of the PS3's motion control yet."[5][19]

While the narrative was considered a strong point, with GameZone (who gave it nine out of ten) calling it "compelling," the method of telling much of the story in graphic-novel style still cutscenes however received a less than positive response.[20] Kevin VanOrd of GameSpot felt that while "an interesting design choice" is, in the end "weirdly flavorless."[10] Another issue found in this method was the lack of voice-work outside of the full CGI cutscenes with GamesRadar+ (in-house) finding it to hinder the delivery of the overall story.[21]

Cancelled sequel

[edit]

Game Republic proposed two sequels for the game, a proper game for the PlayStation Portable and a download-only game utilizing the PlayStation Move to Sony. The idea was well received by Sony but due to poor sales of the original Folklore were not keen to green light the project which failed to pass the internal review board at Sony by a few points.[22][23]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Additional work by Japan Studio and Gaia.
  2. ^ Known in Japanese as FōkusuSōru -Ushinawareta Denshō- (フォークスソウル -失われた伝承-, lit. FolksSoul -The Lost Folklore-).
  3. ^ GamePro gave the game three 4/5 scores for graphics, sound, and fun factor, and 4.25/5 for control.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Games Release Schedule". PlayStation Australia. Sony Computer Entertainment. Archived from the original on August 31, 2007.
  2. ^ a b "Folklore". Metacritic. Fandom. Archived from the original on December 10, 2023. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  3. ^ Edge staff (December 2007). "Folklore". Edge. No. 182. Future plc. p. 88.
  4. ^ EGM staff (December 2007). "Folklore". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 222. Ziff Davis. p. 110.
  5. ^ a b McCarthy, Date (July 27, 2007). "Folklore". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on October 26, 2014. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  6. ^ a b "This week's Famitsu news (June 13, 2007)". NeoGAF. NeoGaf LLC. June 13, 2007. Archived from the original on June 8, 2023. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  7. ^ "Folklore". Game Informer. No. 176. December 2007. p. 148.
  8. ^ Buffa, Chris (October 4, 2007). "Folklore Review". GameDaily. AOL. Archived from the original on October 11, 2007. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  9. ^ Tan, Nicholas (October 4, 2007). "Folklore Review". GameRevolution. CraveOnline. Archived from the original on September 7, 2015. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  10. ^ a b VanOrd, Kevin (October 5, 2007). "Folklore Review". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on May 17, 2023. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  11. ^ a b Lewis, Cameron (October 8, 2007). "GameSpy: Folklore". GameSpy. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on October 11, 2007. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  12. ^ a b "Folklore Review". GameTrailers. Viacom. October 4, 2007. Archived from the original on December 25, 2012. Retrieved October 31, 2016.
  13. ^ a b Clements, Ryan (October 3, 2007). "Folklore Review". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on September 23, 2023. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  14. ^ Dun, Teresa (December 2007). "Folklore". PSM. No. 130. Future US. p. 84. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  15. ^ Kepper, Sean (October 17, 2007). "Folklore - Staff Review". RPGamer. CraveOnline. Archived from the original on July 7, 2008. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  16. ^ Gann, Patrick (December 10, 2007). "Folklore". RPGFan. Emerald Shield Media LLC. Archived from the original on October 5, 2023. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  17. ^ Melick, Todd (December 2007). "Folklore" (PDF). GamePro. No. 231. IDG. p. 123. Archived from the original on January 9, 2008. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  18. ^ GT staff (December 31, 2007). "52 Games We'll Still Be Playing From 2007". Gaming Target. Archived from the original on November 11, 2023. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  19. ^ Barnholt, Ray (October 9, 2007). "Folklore". 1Up.com. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on June 4, 2011. Retrieved October 23, 2015.
  20. ^ Lafferty, Michael (October 4, 2007). "Folklore Review - PlayStation 3". GameZone. Archived from the original on October 4, 2008. Retrieved October 23, 2015.
  21. ^ [1][dead link‍]
  22. ^ "Game Republic were planning Folklore 2 with Move support". TheGamingLiberty.com. July 7, 2011. Archived from the original on July 16, 2012.
  23. ^ Romero, Josh (January 5, 2009). "Folklore 2 and Brave Story 2 will not be made, says Game Republic founder". Video Games Blogger. Archived from the original on February 26, 2021. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
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