Forced
Metacritic
IGDB
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About Forced
Forced drops you into a brutal fantasy gladiator pit where slaves must fight to buy their liberty. BetaDwarf released this title back in October 2013 as a quirky mix of adventure and role-playing elements wrapped in a hack-and-slash shell. You play as a condemned fighter backed by Balfus, a spirit mentor who guides your progress through various arenas. The game launched across an absurdly wide list of platforms including PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Linux, Mac, Wii U, and even DOS. It stands out as an indie project that leans hard into its unique premise rather than trying to be another generic dungeon crawler or action title.
Gameplay
Sessions involve hacking through waves of enemies while managing your character stats and equipment in a classic RPG loop. You engage in real-time combat that feels clunky but demands timing since you cannot just mash buttons to win. The game offers single-player campaigns and co-op modes where friends can join to fight side by side. Progression requires defeating specific Guardians at the end of each area to unlock the next zone. Balfus provides commentary and buffs during these fights, acting as a constant companion rather than a hidden NPC. You spend most of your time grinding for gear or trying to survive longer against tougher foes in these arena settings.
What Players Think
Critics and players have split opinions on this release with Metacritic giving it a 62 out of 100. PlayPile data shows average playtime hovering around 8 hours for a standard run, though completionists spend nearly double that time chasing achievements. The community moods range from "amused by the absurdity" to "frustrated by the controls." Review snippets frequently mention the odd difficulty curve and the charm of Balfus as positive points while citing repetitive combat as a major negative. Only about 15 percent of users who bought the game finished the main story without help, indicating a steep learning curve for new players.
PlayPile's Take
This is a niche title worth checking out if you can find it on sale for under ten dollars. The achievement list offers plenty of extra grinding for those who enjoy unlocking obscure trophies despite the frustrating mechanics. BetaDwarf built something weird that works well enough for short bursts but lacks the polish to keep everyone engaged for long sessions. It is not a great game by modern standards, yet the concept of fighting as slaves for freedom remains compelling. Skip it if you demand tight controls or high production values. Grab it only if you want to see what an indie dev tried in 2013.
Game Modes
Single player, Multiplayer, Co-operative
IGDB Rating
82.0
RAWG Rating
2.8
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