Forspoken’s delay wasn’t altogether surprising when it was announced. For one thing, Square Enix is likely to handle a new IP like this one carefully, making sure that it gets enough development time for a strong launch. For another, game delays are extremely commonplace nowadays. Even games likeForspokenthat spend a couple of years in the public eye before release tend to need some extra time. Due to this latter factor,Starfieldgetting a large delay likeForspoken’s isn’t that shocking either, but it’s important nevertheless, sinceStarfield’s delay could have a major impact on howForspokenperforms in late 2022.
Anticipation forStarfieldis incredibly high due to its nature as a new Bethesda IP and its promising sci-fi RPG concept. For many months,Starfieldlooked like it could be the defining game of late 2022, but now there’s room for somebody else to take the crown.Forspokencould be the game that fillsStarfield’s shoes. Even though it’s a very different style of RPG,Forspokenis a major new IPfrom an acclaimed developer that has the potential to dramatically impact its genre.Forspokenhas a chance to shape 2022’s RPG space in the way thatStarfieldintended to.
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Forspoken’s Opportunity to Flourish
There are undoubtedly a lot of differences betweenForspokenandStarfield.The former game is a high-magic fantasy action RPG for the PS5, while the latter is an Xbox Series X title about space travel. Still, it’s clear thatStarfieldoffered some serious competition forForspokenin 2022. Both games want to reinvent RPG conventions in their own ways, withForspokenimagining creative new systems of combat whileStarfieldreworks companions and NPC conversations. Since these two games were originally meant to release about a month apart, they would have undoubtedly ended up fighting for publicity and advertising space as 2022 wore on, each trying to appeal to RPG fans with their respective innovations.
Now thatStarfieldhas been pushed into 2023, however,Forspokencan keep the spotlight for itself. Bethesda may still advertiseStarfieldby revealing some details in late 2022, but it likely won’t be quite as aggressive as it would ifStarfieldwas still committed to its old release date. Thanks to that,Forspokencan flaunt its creative ideas inStarfield’s place, selling RPG fans on its swift traversal mechanics, open world design, arcane combat, isekai story, and more. Much like howElden Ringdominated RPG discussionin early 2022 through its contributions to the Soulslike genre,Forspokencould be a major talking point of late 2022.
Possible Competition for Forspoken
Of course,Forspokenstill has plenty of other games to bear in mind going into late 2022.Gotham Knightsalso releases in Octoberand might also vie for dominance, andPokemon ScarletandVioletact as major competitors in the RPG space too. What’s more, it’s entirely possible that Microsoft will be able to release another RPG inStarfield’s place. Other upcoming Xbox RPGs likeFablemay have eluded fans for a long time now, but there’s enough time left in the year for Microsoft to surprise fans with aFableorAvowedreveal that includes a late 2022 release date.
Regardless of the potential competition, though,Starfield’s delay is undoubtedly a relief for Square Enix. Both Bethesda and Square Enix are hugely influential players in the RPG space, so Square Enix has definitely gained a major advantage with Bethesda’s next big RPG out of the picture for now. As long asForspokendoesn’t need to get delayed again, it could turn out to bea major victory for Square Enixthis year. Hopefully Luminous Productions and Square Enix reiterateForspoken’s current release date and celebrate the game’s arrival over the next few months, making the most out ofStarfield’s need for more time.
Forspokenreleases May 30, 2025 for PC and PS5.
