Forspoken fans can get a new DLC item being made available free of charge. The item, made available by game developer Luminous Productions in partnership with publisher Square Enix, can be downloaded from Forspoken's Steam store page for a limited time.
Forspoken was released in January 2023 to mixed reviews. Reviews from gaming fans and industry professionals alike seem to indicate frustration with the title's performance issues (that presented after Forspoken was already delayed multiple times for quality improvement) and some erratic pacing of its otherwise strong narrative. Nevertheless, Forspoken is performing well from a sales perspective; of the top ten video games purchased in the United States in January 2023, Forspoken is #7 on the list.
Fans driving Forspoken's momentum should be pleased to learn they can acquire the Forspoken Cat's Meow Cloak - for free - as a reward for their hard work. The cloak is quite colorful, and features - unsurprisingly - pictures of cats printed on the fabric. The cloak's exact utility, however, is left mysteriously vague. Its DLC description simply reads, "A cloak clearly put together with cat fanatics in mind that grants the wearer power." The Cat's Meow Cloak is being made available to Forspoken players until February 16 at 12:00 p.m.
Cloaks are a main collectible in Forspoken that can be equipped to boost different stats. As is standard in Action RPGs, some cloaks are items awarded to the player naturally as part of the plot, while others must be secured through side quests and purchasing Forspoken's DLC. With packages such as the Forspoken: Deluxe Upgrade tacking an extra $25 onto the game's $70 price tag, bonus events such as the Cat's Meow Cloak giveaway are sure to be welcome.
Developers at Luminous Productions have had time to absorb critiques about Forspoken's content. This is not the first time Square Enix stood with them in the wake of shaky reviews - before working together on Forspoken, the developer and publisher collaborated on the initially-embattled Final Fantasy 15. Back then, the companies were able to move through feedback and, in real-time, salvage the experience and retain its healthy fan base. Surprises and giveaways like the Cat's Meow Cloak could be the difference that turns the tide on gamers' opinions - especially players concerned that their investment in Forspoken might not pay off.
Regardless, it could be a smart move for Luminous Productions to follow its recent Forspoken 1.03 update with a giveaway for a new item, as opposed to slashing the cost of an item that was already available. That way, the free cloak serves a hybrid purpose: it rewards fans who have stuck with the title from the beginning, but it is also eye-catching enough to renew interest among let-down players who purchased Forspoken but may have already put down the controller.
Forspoken is available now for PC and PS5.