Quick summary of the game
Foretales is a premium, story-focused deckbuilding RPG from Alkemi. It places you in a fantasy realm blighted by a spreading curse and follows a small-time thief who may be the key to reversing the catastrophe. The title mixes tactical, turn-based card combat with a narrative that unfolds through encounters and player choices.
Story and principal cast
The plot follows Volepain, a petty thief who discovers a strange lyre that grants him prophetic visions of his world’s downfall. With only a limited window of time to act, he and his traveling companion — a merchant named Leo — set out across the realm to rescue loved ones and try to avert ruin. Along the way you meet a wide variety of characters whose fates and interactions feed into the larger storyline.
Gameplay at a glance
- Tactical, turn-based battles driven by cards that you collect and customize to shape your preferred playstyle.
- Encounters that double as narrative beats, revealing plot details and branching based on the choices you make.
- Deckbuilding progression where card selection and synergies determine how you handle combat and events.
- Multiple endings that reflect the decisions taken over the course of the adventure.
Combat and deckbuilding details
Combat is executed in a tactical, turn-based format using cards drawn from your personal deck. You can construct builds that focus on offense, defense, support, or various hybrids, and encounters are designed to encourage different strategies. Battles also serve as story devices—how you approach fights and events often changes the dialogue and subsequent opportunities.
How player choices shape the tale
The game’s narrative branches depending on decisions you take during encounters. Dialog options, which allies you prioritize, and the way you resolve conflicts can all redirect the story toward different conclusions. This creates replay value for players who want to explore alternate outcomes.
Observations on pacing and presentation
Foretales leans heavily on its written encounters, which can lead to uneven pacing. Some sequences linger with extended dialogue and slow development, while other moments rush past important beats. The balance between exposition and action varies, which may affect player engagement depending on preferences.
Recommendation and alternatives
If you enjoy narrative-first deckbuilders with tactical combat, Foretales is worth trying for its interesting premise and branching structure. For players seeking a similar paid experience with a different tone, consider Where Winds Meet as an alternate option.
Final thoughts
Foretales combines card-based tactical combat with a character-driven story that rewards decision-making. While the pacing can be inconsistent, the core loop of building decks, confronting encounters, and steering the story through choices makes it a compelling experience for fans of narrative RPGs. Check it out to see which paths you can forge.
Technical
- Windows
- iPhone
- English
- Spanish
- German
- French
- Chinese (Simplified)
- Full