Falcon Age

Falcon Age's charming adventure made me care more for a virtual pet than I ever thought I could, and it shines in VR.

Overloop's Falcon Age is a compelling action-adventure game and highly original, deeply satisfying falconry simulator, making it a feather in the cap for PlayStation VR.

Falcon Age is a genuinely impressive achievement in the VR space. The unprecedented amount of interactivity between you and the bird plays host to the build-up of a worthy friendship, as well as an essential partner once the going gets tough. Alongside a deep and meaningful narrative, this is yet another PlayStation VR experience that belongs among the elite.

On its own, Falcon Age for the Switch is still a fun experience, but when held up against its VR sibling, it’s an objectively lesser game. Nevertheless, we’d still recommend giving it a shot if only for its remarkably unique premise; after all, it’s probably the closest most of us will get to owning a pet falcon.

The concept of taking care of a bird of prey during a rebellion is highly appealing for bird lovers. Unfortunately most expectations of bird care and the intriguing story of Falcon Age were not met. What could have been an immersive game ported smoothly from VR, was the exact opposite with poor game mechanics, a weak ending that made playing this feel pointless and a complete waste of time. What works in VR does not always translate into an ordinary non-VR title, and Falcon Age should have remained a VR exclusive and not be released on the Nintendo Switch.

Falcon Age is a quaint tale of tradition being overtaken by progress with a bittersweet ending. It's $19.99, which isn't that bad of a price, yet the game feels slightly short with its cliffhanger ending.

I have to admit, whilst some of the combat would leave me stumped and a little frustrated, there is plenty of humour laced throughout Falcon Age. And the adorable moments with your feathered friend are brilliant. Bonding has never been more wholesome I managed to complete the game in around 15 hours. I got stuck a few times, went the wrong way more often than I like to admit. It is a cute game to play, and if it’s looking good already, wait until you play Falcon Age.

Novelty in games is always a good thing, new experiences are welcome and you never know what may become a break out hit or revelatory gameplay experience...

Overlooking my issue with the narrative for Falcon Age, this single-player roleplaying action game has a pretty decent adventure with a relatable main character. Players will have a blast raising and bonding with their own falcon, and the combat feels very intuitive with the use of different items and snacks that you can feed your falcon. If you’re looking for something different, Falcon Age is definitely a game to add to your library.

Falcon Age spreads its wings and flies on to Nintendo Switch, inviting new players to share the desolate wasteland with their feathered friend. As Ara, a young woman who breaks free from prison, players will help liberate their community. But how well does a title designed for virtual reality work on Nintendo's handheld?