Folklore

About

Folklore is a single-player action RPG where you switch between two characters figuring out a supernatural mystery in Ireland. Ellen and Keats investigate a decades-old enigma tied to the Netherworld, battling monstrous Folks in seven surreal realms. Combat revolves around luring, capturing, and merging these creatures to form hybrid beasts that exploit enemy weaknesses. The SIXAXIS controller lets you time flicks to reel in foes, blending timing challenges with tactical creature-building. The game leans into its eerie folklore premise with over 100 distinct Folks to collect, each offering new mix-and-match combat options. Developer Yoshiki Okamoto’s fingerprints are clear in the polished mechanics and atmospheric design, though the 2007 release predates modern open-world trends. With separate story paths for its protagonists and a focus on creative monster fusion, it carves a niche between traditional RPGs and action-adventure.

Storyline

A letter from a dead mother, a mysterious phone call and a forgotten childhood lead Ellen, a young woman, and Keats, a journalist working for a paranormal magazine, to Doolin - a sleepy Irish village that hides a gateway to the Netherworld and the answers to a 17-year-old mystery. You play as either of the lead characters as you venture into a series of seven outlandish realms, each packed with nightmarish creatures. Your goal is to speak with the dead, whose memories hold the key to unravelling the past. The key to progressing in the game is to capture the various Folks - the nightmarish creatures that inhabit the Netherworld - harnessing and combining their powers to defeat strong enemies. Play as either Ellen or Keats, each with their own play styles and individual storylines. Over 100 unique creatures - the Folks - each with unique powers and abilities to capture and create your own combat strategy. Capture enemies using the unique functionality of the SIXAXIS Wireless Controller - latch onto creatures and reel them in by flicking the Wireless Controller at the right moment.