Lords of the Fallen is a dark fantasy action RPG that offers a rich blend of challenging combat, intricate world design, and a captivating narrative. Developed by Deck13 Interactive and CI Games, the game was initially released in 2014, with a sequel released in 2023 that expanded on the original’s foundations. One of the standout features of Lords of the Fallen is its quest system, which interweaves with the game’s lore and world-building, offering players a deep and immersive experience.
This review delves into the quests of Lords of the Fallen, exploring their design, narrative impact, and how they contribute to the overall gameplay experience.
Table of Contents
Introduction to Quests in Lords of the Fallen
Quests in Lords of the Fallen serve as the backbone of the game’s narrative and are instrumental in guiding the player through the dark, treacherous world. These quests range from main storyline missions that push the plot forward to side quests that offer additional lore, character development, and valuable rewards.
The quest system is designed to be non-linear, allowing players to approach objectives in various ways. This flexibility is one of the game’s strengths, offering a sense of agency and replayability. The quests are often challenging, requiring not just combat prowess but also strategic thinking and exploration.
Main Storyline Quests
The main storyline of Lords of the Fallen revolves around Harkyn, a convicted criminal who is given a chance at redemption by fighting against the Rhogar, a demonic race invading the human realm. The narrative is deeply rooted in themes of sin, redemption, and the duality of good and evil.
1. Prologue: The Monastery
The game begins with Harkyn and his mentor, Kaslo, entering a monastery under siege by the Rhogar. This quest serves as a tutorial, introducing players to the basic mechanics of combat, exploration, and the game’s lore. The prologue sets the tone for the rest of the game, with its dark atmosphere and foreboding environments. Players learn about Harkyn’s past and the weight of his sins, which will play a significant role in the narrative.
The Monastery quest is straightforward but serves as a vital introduction to the game’s mechanics. Players are introduced to the concept of risk and reward, as they can choose to explore dangerous areas for better loot or stick to the safer path. The prologue also introduces the player to the first boss, the First Warden, a challenging fight that tests the player’s understanding of the combat mechanics.
2. Old Monastery
After defeating the First Warden, Harkyn continues his journey deeper into the Monastery, where the true scale of the Rhogar invasion becomes apparent. This quest introduces players to more complex combat scenarios, with tougher enemies and environmental hazards.
The Old Monastery quest is where the narrative begins to unfold more deeply. Players encounter various NPCs who provide insight into the world’s lore and Harkyn’s place within it. One notable NPC is the Blacksmith, who becomes a key character throughout the game, offering upgrades and crafting services. The quest also introduces the concept of side paths and optional challenges, allowing players to explore more of the world and uncover hidden secrets.
3. The Rhogar Realm
The Rhogar Realm is a pivotal quest in Lords of the Fallen, where Harkyn ventures into the demonic world of the Rhogar. This realm is a stark contrast to the human world, with its twisted landscapes and ominous atmosphere. The quest is challenging, with powerful enemies and traps that test the player’s skills.
In the Rhogar Realm, players must navigate through several areas, each guarded by a formidable boss. These boss fights are some of the most memorable moments in the game, with each boss having unique mechanics and requiring different strategies to defeat. The Rhogar Realm also deepens the game’s lore, revealing the origins of the Rhogar and their connection to the human world.
This quest is crucial for the main storyline, as it leads to the revelation of the true enemy and sets the stage for the game’s climax. The Rhogar Realm also introduces players to the concept of interdimensional travel, a mechanic that becomes more important in later quests.
4. Chamber of Lies
The Chamber of Lies is a labyrinthine area filled with traps, puzzles, and powerful enemies. This quest is one of the most challenging in the game, requiring players to use all their skills to survive. The Chamber of Lies is also where players encounter the Annihilator, one of the toughest bosses in the game.
The quest is significant for its narrative implications, as it reveals more about the nature of the Rhogar and their connection to the Adyr, the fallen god. The Chamber of Lies is also where players make a crucial decision that affects the game’s ending, adding an element of choice to the narrative.
The design of this quest emphasizes exploration and puzzle-solving, with several hidden areas and secrets to discover. The Chamber of Lies is a turning point in the game, where the stakes are raised, and the player’s choices begin to have more significant consequences.
5. The Keystone
The Keystone quest is the culmination of Harkyn’s journey, where he confronts the final boss and faces the consequences of his actions. This quest takes place in the heart of the human world, which has been devastated by the Rhogar invasion. The final boss fight is a test of everything the player has learned, with multiple phases and complex mechanics.
The Keystone quest is also where the game’s narrative reaches its climax, with the player’s choices throughout the game determining the ending. There are multiple endings to Lords of the Fallen, each reflecting the player’s decisions and actions. This quest is the ultimate test of the player’s skill and understanding of the game’s mechanics, offering a satisfying conclusion to the story.
Side Quests and NPC Interactions
In addition to the main storyline quests, Lords of the Fallen features a variety of side quests that add depth to the game’s world and characters. These quests are often optional, but they offer valuable rewards and insights into the game’s lore.
1. The Blacksmith’s Quest
One of the most significant side quests in the game is the Blacksmith’s quest. Throughout the game, the Blacksmith offers upgrades and crafting services, but players can also help him by finding rare materials and unlocking new abilities. This questline is essential for players who want to maximize their equipment and gain an edge in combat.
The Blacksmith’s quest also reveals more about the character’s background and his connection to the world’s history. Completing this questline can lead to powerful upgrades that make the final stages of the game more manageable.
2. The Lost Brothers
The Lost Brothers quest is a side quest that involves finding and reuniting two brothers who have been separated by the Rhogar invasion. This quest is emotionally charged, as the brothers’ fate is tied to the player’s choices. Depending on the player’s actions, the brothers can be reunited, or one of them may die.
This quest highlights the game’s theme of redemption and the impact of Harkyn’s choices on the world around him. It also offers a challenging combat encounter, as the player must defeat a powerful Rhogar to complete the quest.
3. The Dimensional Traveller
The Dimensional Traveller is a mysterious NPC who offers players a unique side quest that involves traveling between dimensions to retrieve a powerful artifact. This quest is one of the most challenging in the game, with complex puzzles and tough enemies. The reward, however, is a powerful weapon that can be used against the final boss.
The Dimensional Traveller quest adds a layer of complexity to the game’s narrative, as it introduces the concept of multiple dimensions and the idea that Harkyn’s world is just one of many. This quest is also significant for its connection to the game’s lore, as it reveals more about the origins of the Rhogar and their link to other dimensions.
4. The Betrayer’s Trust
The Betrayer’s Trust is a side quest that involves a series of moral choices that test the player’s character. In this quest, Harkyn must decide whether to trust a former ally who has betrayed him or to seek revenge. The choices made in this quest have lasting consequences, affecting the game’s ending and the fate of several NPCs.
This quest is a prime example of the game’s focus on moral ambiguity and the idea that there are no clear-cut answers. The Betrayer’s Trust forces players to consider the consequences of their actions and how they want Harkyn’s story to unfold.
5. The Orphan’s Hope
The Orphan’s Hope is a heart-wrenching side quest that involves helping a young orphan who has lost her family to the Rhogar. The quest involves tracking down the girl’s family members and learning about their tragic fate. The player must then decide whether to tell the girl the truth or protect her from the harsh reality.
This quest is significant for its emotional impact and the way it explores the theme of loss and coping with tragedy. The Orphan’s Hope is a reminder of the human cost of the Rhogar invasion and adds depth to the game’s narrative.
Quest Design and Narrative Integration
The quests in Lords of the Fallen are carefully designed to integrate with the game’s overall narrative and world-building. Each quest, whether main or side, serves a purpose in the story and adds to the player’s understanding of the world.
1. Non-Linear Exploration
One of the key aspects of quest design in Lords of the Fallen is non-linear exploration. The game encourages players to explore the world at their own pace, discovering new quests and areas as they progress. This design allows for a more immersive experience and gives players the freedom to shape their journey based on their decisions and curiosity. The non-linear nature of the quests also enhances replayability, as players may discover new paths, hidden areas, and different outcomes in subsequent playthroughs.
2. Environmental Storytelling
The environment in Lords of the Fallen is rich with storytelling elements that complement the quests. Every location in the game, from the crumbling Monastery to the eerie Rhogar Realm, is meticulously crafted to reflect the world’s history and current state. This environmental storytelling is closely tied to the quests, with many missions requiring players to pay close attention to their surroundings to solve puzzles or uncover hidden lore.
For instance, certain side quests involve finding ancient texts or artifacts that provide deeper insight into the game’s lore. These items are often hidden in hard-to-reach places, rewarding players who take the time to explore and interact with the environment. This approach to quest design ensures that the world of Lords of the Fallen feels alive and interconnected, with every corner of the map holding potential significance.
3. Moral Ambiguity and Player Choice
A standout feature of the quests in Lords of the Fallen is the emphasis on moral ambiguity and the weight of player choice. Many quests present players with difficult decisions that have far-reaching consequences, both for the world and for Harkyn as a character. These choices are rarely black and white, often forcing players to consider the lesser of two evils or the impact their actions will have on others.
For example, in the quest “The Betrayer’s Trust,” players must decide whether to forgive a character who has betrayed them or to exact revenge. This choice is not just a simple matter of good versus evil; it’s a complex decision that reflects the game’s themes of redemption, trust, and the blurred lines between right and wrong. The outcome of such quests can alter the game’s ending, influence the fate of NPCs, and even affect how other characters perceive Harkyn.
This focus on moral choices adds depth to the narrative and makes the player’s journey feel personal and impactful. It also encourages multiple playthroughs, as players may want to see how different decisions affect the story and the world.
4. Challenging Combat Encounters
Combat is a central element of Lords of the Fallen, and the quests are designed to test the player’s skills in various ways. Boss battles are a major highlight, with each boss presenting unique challenges that require strategic thinking and mastery of the game’s mechanics. The design of these encounters is tightly integrated with the narrative, often serving as climactic moments in the story.
For instance, the battle against the Annihilator in the Chamber of Lies is not just a test of the player’s combat abilities but also a significant narrative event that reveals crucial information about the Rhogar and their connection to the Adyr. These boss fights are memorable not only for their difficulty but also for the way they advance the story and deepen the player’s understanding of the game’s world.
In addition to boss battles, regular combat encounters are woven into the quests in a way that feels organic and purposeful. Whether it’s fighting through waves of enemies to reach a specific location or taking down a powerful foe guarding a key item, the combat in Lords of the Fallen is designed to complement the quests and enhance the overall experience.
5. Rewards and Progression
Quests in Lords of the Fallen are not just about advancing the story; they also play a crucial role in the player’s progression. Completing quests rewards players with experience points, valuable items, and sometimes new abilities or equipment that are essential for surviving the game’s later challenges.
The rewards are often tied to the difficulty of the quest, with more challenging missions offering better loot. This system encourages players to take on side quests and explore the world fully, as the rewards can significantly enhance Harkyn’s capabilities.
For example, completing the Blacksmith’s questline unlocks powerful weapon upgrades and crafting options that can make a noticeable difference in combat. Similarly, finding rare artifacts or completing difficult side quests can yield unique weapons or armor that provide a tactical advantage against tougher enemies.
The progression system in Lords of the Fallen is closely linked to the quests, making each mission feel meaningful and rewarding. Players are constantly motivated to push forward, not just to see how the story unfolds but also to gain the tools they need to overcome the game’s challenges.
Narrative Impact and World-Building
The quests in Lords of the Fallen are integral to the game’s world-building and narrative structure. Through these quests, players gain a deeper understanding of the world, its history, and the characters who inhabit it. The game’s lore is rich and detailed, with each quest adding another layer to the overarching story.
1. Lore and Backstory
The world of Lords of the Fallen is steeped in lore, much of which is uncovered through quests. The game’s story is built around the conflict between the human realm and the Rhogar, with the fallen god Adyr serving as a central figure in the narrative. Through quests, players learn about the ancient war between humans and the Rhogar, the origins of the monastic order, and the role of Harkyn as a chosen warrior.
Many quests involve discovering ancient texts, talking to NPCs, or exploring hidden areas that reveal more about the world’s history. For example, the Rhogar Realm quest provides insight into the Rhogar’s motives and their connection to Adyr, while side quests like the Dimensional Traveller delve into the existence of parallel dimensions and their impact on the world.
This approach to storytelling is highly effective, as it allows players to piece together the game’s lore at their own pace. The quests act as both narrative drivers and vessels for world-building, creating a cohesive and immersive experience.
2. Character Development
Quests also play a crucial role in character development, particularly for Harkyn. As players progress through the game, they learn more about Harkyn’s past, his sins, and his struggle for redemption. The choices players make during quests directly impact Harkyn’s character arc, shaping him into either a hero who overcomes his past or a figure who succumbs to his darker impulses.
NPCs encountered during quests also undergo development, with many having their own stories and motivations. Characters like Kaslo, the Blacksmith, and the mysterious Dimensional Traveller all have their own roles to play in the narrative, and their interactions with Harkyn are often influenced by the player’s choices.
For example, the Lost Brothers quest provides a deep look into the relationship between two NPCs, with the player’s actions determining their fate. Similarly, the Blacksmith’s questline not only enhances Harkyn’s equipment but also reveals the character’s history and his connection to the world’s events.
This focus on character development through quests makes the narrative more engaging and emotionally resonant. Players become invested in the characters and their stories, which adds depth to the overall experience.
3. Themes and Symbolism
Lords of the Fallen explores several themes through its quests, including redemption, the nature of sin, and the struggle between good and evil. These themes are woven into the narrative and reflected in the game’s world and characters.
Redemption is a central theme, with Harkyn’s journey serving as a quest for atonement. The player’s choices during quests determine whether Harkyn can redeem himself or if he will be consumed by his past sins. This theme is mirrored in the game’s world, with the Rhogar invasion representing the consequences of past actions coming back to haunt humanity.
The nature of sin is also explored, with many quests forcing players to confront the moral implications of their choices. The game often presents situations where there are no clear right or wrong answers, emphasizing the complexity of human nature and the difficulty of achieving true redemption.
Symbolism is used throughout the game to reinforce these themes. For example, the Monastery, with its crumbling walls and decaying structures, symbolizes the state of the world and the consequences of past sins. The Rhogar Realm, with its twisted landscapes and ominous atmosphere, represents the darkness that has taken root in the world and the challenge of overcoming it.
These themes and symbols add depth to the game’s narrative and give the quests a greater sense of purpose. Players are not just completing tasks; they are engaging with a story that has meaningful themes and explores complex moral questions.
Conclusion
The quests in Lords of the Fallen are a testament to the game’s strong narrative design and world-building. Whether it’s the main storyline quests that drive the plot forward or the optional side quests that add depth and richness to the world, each mission is crafted with care and attention to detail.
The non-linear nature of the quests, combined with the emphasis on player choice and moral ambiguity, creates a dynamic and immersive experience. Players are encouraged to explore, make decisions, and engage with the world in a way that feels meaningful and impactful.
Through its quests, Lords of the Fallen tells a compelling story of redemption, sin, and the struggle between good and evil. The game’s dark, atmospheric world is brought to life through its quests, which serve as both narrative drivers and vessels for world-building. With challenging combat, deep lore, and complex characters, Lords of the Fallen offers a quest system that is both engaging and rewarding, making it a standout title in the action RPG genre.