The Falconeer

Last updated
The Falconeer
The Falconeer cover art.png
Developer(s) Tomas Sala
Publisher(s) Wired Productions
Composer(s) Benedict Nichols
Engine Unity
Platform(s)
Release
  • Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
  • November 10, 2020
  • Amazon Luna
  • June 17, 2021
  • Warrior Edition
  • PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch
  • August 5, 2021
  • Stadia
  • October 5, 2021
Genre(s) Aerial combat
Mode(s) Single-player

The Falconeer is a 2020 aerial combat video game developed by Tomas Sala and published by Wired Productions. It was released on November 10, 2020 for Windows, Xbox One and as a launch title for Xbox Series X/S. A version for Amazon Luna was made available on June 17, 2021. It received both good and mixed reviews upon release, with outlets praising its uncompromising vision and homage to the niche dogfighting genre, while the same elements were looked upon less kindly by other reviewers.

Contents

An enhanced version of the game, titled The Falconeer: Warrior Edition was released for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch on August 5, 2021, receiving positive reviews. It was later ported to Stadia on October 5, 2021.

Gameplay

Set in a nautical /scifi backdrop named the Great Ursee, The Falconeer is a third-person arcade flight video game in which the player assumes control of a pilot commandeering a massive warbird. [1] In the game, the player needs to shoot down rival enemies while dodging hostile attacks. Players need to manage the warbird's stamina while performing various moves and maneuvers. [2] In addition to completing the narrative campaign, the player can freely explore the open world and finish different side missions such as completing bounties and delivering items. [3] As players progress in the game, they can purchase new weapons. [4] The player can also acquire mutagens that can be used to improve the Warbird's basic attributes such as agility and health. [5] In different chapters, which can be completed in any order, the player will control pilots from different factions and command a new warbird. [6]

Development

The Falconeer is the debut title for solo developer Tomas Sala. Sala co-founded a work-for-hire studio in Amsterdam, Netherlands named Little Chicken Game Company before he embarked on a solo career. He worked on a mod for The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim named Moonpath to Elsweyr as a side project, though the mod received positive reactions from the community, which encouraged him to commence work on an original project. He started working on a title named Oberon's Court in 2013. However, it was cancelled because the game was deemed too dark. Commenting on its cancellation, Sala added that "I couldn't finish it, because it was too dark, it was too confronting". Using the assets and the codes of Oberon's Court, Sala quickly built a prototype for a new game, inspired by aerial combat games he used to enjoy during his childhood, such as Star Wars: TIE Fighter , Secret Weapons of the Luftwaffe , Aces of the Pacific , Red Baron , and Crimson Skies . The prototype soon became the foundation for The Falconeer. [7]

The Falconeer features a highly technical art style that does away with the accepted practice of using textures. This means that instead of using image files to give 3D models material properties and depth, everything in The Falconeer from the user interfaces to the 3D world and characters utilize techniques that replace textures with math based generated colors and definitions. Examples range from the ocean and cloud effects to the NPC portraits which are generated off random seeds. Procedural and generative visuals are said to have been essential for Tomas Sala to be able to develop the game largely by himself. [8] While Sala made the game on his own, Benedict Nichols served as the game's composer.

Release

Wired Productions agreed to publish the game in early 2019. [7] A beta for the game was released for PC players in October 2020. [9] The game was released on November 10, 2020 for Windows, Xbox One, and as a launch title for Xbox Series X and Series S. [10]

On December 22, 2020 a named update was released called the Kraken, [11] which addressed some of the criticisms regarding difficulty and open world activities, adding exploration missions and wreck dive missions that included monstrous events. It was made available for Xbox Game Pass subscribers on February 4, 2021. On the same day, Sala released a downloadable content pack named The Hunter, which adds additional outfits, a new weapon, and a dragon into the game. [12] The game was released for Amazon Luna on June 17, 2021. [13]

An enhanced version of the game, titled The Falconeer: Warrior Edition was announced in May 2021 and was released for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch on August 5, 2021. [14]

Reception

The game initially received mixed or average reviews upon release according to review aggregator Metacritic. [17] [18] [19] Critics generally liked the game's setting, lore and graphics. [27] [3] [4] However, criticisms were directed at the game's combat [3] [6] and the lack of meaningful activities in its open world. [28] [4] The Warrior Edition which was launched August 5 and included major improvements, all previous DLC and new DLC titled 'Edge of the World' was received much more favourably with the Switch release reaching a Metacritic score of 80/100. [19]

The game received a BAFTA game award nomination for Best Debut Game in March 2021.

Spin-off

A spin-off game titled Bulwark: Falconeer Chronicles was released on March 26, 2024. Unlike The Falconeer, Bulwark is a city-builder and an exploration game which tasks players to journey across a post-apocalyptic waterworld named the "Great Ursee" and rebuild a fallen civilization. [29]

Related Research Articles

<i>Battlefield 2: Modern Combat</i> 2005 video game

Battlefield 2: Modern Combat is a first-person shooter video game in the Battlefield series, developed by DICE and published by Electronic Arts. Modern Combat is the first Battlefield game for video game consoles and the first to offer a full single-player campaign. Despite its name, the game is neither a port nor a spin-off of Battlefield 2, which was in development at the same time.

Halo is a military science fiction media franchise, originally developed and created by Bungie and currently managed and developed by 343 Industries, part of Microsoft's Xbox Game Studios. The series launched in 2001 with the first-person shooter video game Halo: Combat Evolved and its tie-in novel, The Fall of Reach. The latest main game, Halo Infinite, was released in late 2021.

<i>Ford Street Racing</i> 2006 video game

Ford Street Racing is a game commissioned by Ford for the Xbox, PC, PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable (PSP). The game was sold as Ford Street Racing on the PC while the various console releases were given region specific names. They are as follows: Ford Bold Moves Street Racing in the US and Canada, Ford Street Racing: L.A. Duel in the EU, and Ford Street Racing: XR Edition in Australia and New Zealand. It was released September 19, 2006 in the United States. It was developed by Razorworks and published by Empire Interactive under the Empire banner in the US and under the Xplosiv banner in the rest of the world. The game received mostly mixed to negative reviews.

<i>Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light</i> 2010 video game

Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light is an action-adventure game developed by Crystal Dynamics and published by Square Enix's European branch for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Android and iOS. It is part of the Tomb Raider series, but unlike previous games, the game does not carry the Tomb Raider brand and has a heavy emphasis on cooperative gameplay. In multiplayer, players take the role as either Lara Croft or a 2,000-year-old Mayan warrior named Totec. They must work together in order to stop the evil spirit Xolotl and retrieve the Mirror of Smoke. A single-player campaign mode is available that does not include the non-playable character AI following or helping Lara.

<i>Bulletstorm</i> 2011 first-person shooter game

Bulletstorm is a 2011 first-person shooter game developed by People Can Fly and Epic Games and published by Electronic Arts (EA). The video game is distinguished by its system of rewarding players with "skillpoints" for performing increasingly creative kills. Bulletstorm does not have any competitive multiplayer modes, preferring instead to include cooperative online play and score attack modes. Set in the 26th century, the game's story follows Grayson Hunt, a space pirate and former black ops soldier who gets shot down on a war-torn planet while trying to exact revenge on General Sarrano, his former commander who tricked him and his men into committing war crimes and assassinating innocents.

<i>Tony Hawk: Shred</i> 2010 video game

Tony Hawk: Shred is a 2010 peripheral-based, motion-controlled skateboarding video game. It is part of the Tony Hawk series and the sequel to Tony Hawk: Ride.

<i>Chivalry: Medieval Warfare</i> 2012 video game

Chivalry: Medieval Warfare is a multiplayer-focused hack and slash video game developed by Torn Banner Studios as their first commercial title. It was released on October 16, 2012, for Windows. The game is set in a fictional setting. The developers had confirmed that the game would be PC exclusive initially, but in October 2014, they confirmed that the game would be coming to PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in December 2014.

<i>Abyss Odyssey</i> 2014 video game

Abyss Odyssey is a platform action-adventure game developed by ACE Team and published by Atlus. It was released in July 2014 for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Microsoft Windows, and for the PlayStation 4 in July 2015.

Sniper: Ghost Warrior is a series of tactical shooter stealth video games that are developed and published by City Interactive.

<i>Biomutant</i> 2021 action role-playing video game

Biomutant is an action role-playing game developed by Swedish developer Experiment 101 and published by THQ Nordic. The game was released on May 25, 2021, for PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One. Versions of the game for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S were released in September 2022. A port for the Nintendo Switch was released in May 2024. The game received mixed reviews from critics and sold 1 million units by August 2021.

<i>Dicey Dungeons</i> 2019 video game

Dicey Dungeons is a roguelike deck-building game developed by Irish game designer Terry Cavanagh. It was released for Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux in August 2019, for Nintendo Switch in December 2020, for Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S in November 2021, and for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 in February 2023. Ports for iOS and Android were released in July 2022.

<i>Grip: Combat Racing</i> 2018 racing video game

Grip: Combat Racing, often shortened to Grip, is a racing video game developed by Canadian studio, Caged Element and published by Wired Productions for Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. Warp Digital ported the title to console, and was released for all four platforms on November 6, 2018.

<i>Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot</i> 2020 video game

Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot is an action role-playing game developed by CyberConnect2 and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment, based on the Dragon Ball franchise. It was released for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Windows in January 2020, Nintendo Switch in September 2021, Stadia in October 2021, PlayStation 5 in January 2023, and Xbox Series X/S in February 2023. The game follows the main protagonist Goku and the Z-Fighters throughout the events of the Dragon Ball Z anime, including anime-original storylines and moments.

<i>Black Book</i> (video game) 2021 video game

Black Book is an adventure role-playing video game, developed by Morteshka, which created The Mooseman, and published by HypeTrain Digital. The game was released on August 10, 2021.

<i>Chronos</i> (2016 video game) 2016 video game

Chronos is a 2016 action role-playing game developed and published by Gunfire Games for the Oculus Rift virtual reality (VR) headset. The game received generally positive reviews upon release. An overhauled version of the game, titled Chronos: Before the Ashes was released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One and Stadia on December 1, 2020.

<i>Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2</i> 2021 tactical shooter game by CI Games

Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 is a 2021 tactical shooter stealth video game developed and published by CI Games. It is the sixth entry in the Sniper: Ghost Warrior series and is the sequel to Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts. The game was released on 4 June 2021 for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S. A version for PlayStation 5 was released on 24 August 2021.

<i>Worms Rumble</i> 2020 video game

Worms Rumble is a 2020 action game developed and published by Team17. As a spin-off of the long-running Worms series, the game was released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 in December 2020 and for the Nintendo Switch, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S in June 2021.

<i>Othercide</i> 2020 video game

Othercide is a horror-theme tactical role-playing video game developed by French independent video game development studio Lightbulb Crew and published by Focus Home Interactive. The game was released for Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One on July 28, 2020. The game later released for the Nintendo Switch on September 10 that same year. It had received generally positive reviews upon release.

References

  1. ↑ Cork, Jeff (July 23, 2020). "Take To The Skies As A Falcon In Upcoming Air-Combat Fantasy The Falconeer". Game Informer . Archived from the original on April 21, 2021. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  2. ↑ McCaffery, Ryan (November 5, 2020). "The Falconeer on Xbox Series X: Hands-On at 120fps". IGN . Archived from the original on January 18, 2021. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 Purchese, Robert (November 20, 2020). "The Falconeer review - I love that we live in a world where there's a launch title like this". Eurogamer . Archived from the original on February 21, 2021. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 King, Andrew (November 6, 2020). "The Falconeer Review: Taking Flight Above An Empty World". GamesRadar . Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  5. ↑ Sala, Tomas (November 10, 2020). "Six Tips to Start Your Adventure in The Falconeer, Out Today on Xbox Series X/S". Xbox Wire. Archived from the original on February 12, 2021. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  6. 1 2 3 "The Falconeer review – soaring combat on the wings of giant warbirds | Aces high". The Guardian . 12 November 2020. Archived from the original on 18 August 2021. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  7. 1 2 Handrahan, Matthew (November 12, 2020). "The Falconeer: An unexpected jewel in the Xbox launch line-up". Gameindustry.biz. Archived from the original on April 15, 2021. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  8. ↑ Salas, Tomas (November 19, 2020). "The Falconeer Tech Talk: Creating with Textureless Art". Unity. Archived from the original on January 29, 2022. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
  9. ↑ Phillips, Tom (September 3, 2020). "Promising aerial combat indie The Falconeer has a PC beta". Eurogamer . Archived from the original on October 29, 2020. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  10. ↑ Fisher, Christine (July 23, 2020). "'The Falconeer' will be an Xbox Series X launch title". Engadget . Archived from the original on April 19, 2021. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  11. ↑ Purchese, Robert (2020-12-22). "The Falconeer gets new content and many improvements today". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on 2021-01-26. Retrieved 2021-03-02.
  12. ↑ Nunneley, Stephany (February 4, 2021). "The Falconeer arrives on Xbox Game Pass today alongside dragon DLC". VG 247 . Archived from the original on February 24, 2021. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  13. ↑ New on Luna+: The Falconeer, 17 June 2021, archived from the original on 2022-12-18, retrieved 2022-12-18
  14. ↑ "The Falconeer: Warrior Edition coming to PS5, PS4, and Switch on August 5 worldwide". Gematsu. May 19, 2021. Archived from the original on May 19, 2021. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  15. ↑ "The Falconeer: Warrior Edition for PlayStation 5 Reviews". Metacritic . Red Ventures . Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  16. ↑ "The Falconeer for Switch Reviews". Metacritic . Red Ventures . Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  17. 1 2 "The Falconeer for PC Reviews". Metacritic . Red Ventures . Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  18. 1 2 "The Falconeer for Xbox One Reviews". Metacritic . Red Ventures. Archived from the original on March 23, 2024. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  19. 1 2 3 "The Falconeer for Xbox Series X Reviews". Metacritic . Red Ventures. Archived from the original on March 23, 2024. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  20. ↑ Watts, Steve (17 November 2020). "The Falconeer (Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One) Review". Computer Games Magazine . Archived from the original on 23 March 2024. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  21. ↑ Carter, Chris (13 November 2020). "Review: The Falconeer". Destructoid . Archived from the original on 7 December 2021. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  22. ↑ Purchese, Robert (20 November 2020). "The Falconeer review - I love that we live in a world where there's a launch title like this". Eurogamer . Archived from the original on 30 August 2021. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  23. ↑ "The Falconeer review: "Taking flight above an empty world" | Aces high". GamesRadar . 6 November 2020. Archived from the original on 27 July 2021. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  24. ↑ Rairdin, John (2 August 2021). "The Falconeer: Warrior Edition (Switch) Review". Nintendo World Report. Archived from the original on 20 October 2021. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  25. ↑ Kemp, Luke (6 November 2020). "The Falconeer review". PC Gamer . Archived from the original on 3 November 2021. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  26. ↑ "Mini Review: The Falconeer: Warrior Edition (PS5) - Bird Is the Word in Fun Flight Sim | Aces high". Push Square . 2 August 2021. Archived from the original on 19 September 2021. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  27. ↑ Watts, Rachel (September 25, 2020). "The Falconeer is a rich fantasy adventure in a flooded world with giant weaponized birds". PC Gamer . Archived from the original on October 29, 2020. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  28. ↑ Vega, Sin (November 16, 2020). "The Falconeer review". Rock, Paper, Shotgun . Archived from the original on February 6, 2021. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  29. ↑ Chalk, Andy (January 18, 2024). "Open-world city builder-exploration game Bulwark: Falconeer Chronicles shows off 30 minutes of all new gameplay". PC Gamer . Archived from the original on January 19, 2024. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.