Drova is a unique game that blends 2D open world exploration with RPG elements. It plays like a child of both Gothic and Children of Morta games (which the creators openly say they drew heavy inspirations from). In regular Gothic-like fashion, elements like faction and combat build selection play an integral part. Exploration and going off the beaten path yield great rewards and offer more quests and secrets to uncover.

This is however, where the similarities end. Gothic games were always more than just a series of factions that players joined, painting a more intricate worldbuilding of struggles against each other as well as the wider conflict. In Drova, the worldbuilding is not as developed, and choosing factions seems largely cosmetic, with little attachment established to any particular characters or their convictions. This leads to the game falling short in creating a memorable world and lore.

The 2D art-style also struggles to paint a unique world, with most landscapes feeling rather generic (with exception of Primeval Forest perhaps). Writing is another element that fails to build an engaging narrative and elevate the plot, largely serving as a vehicle for information dumping and a quest-giving tool.
Combat, although solid, offers only limited player freedom in build variations, offering little expansion beyond the weapon type selections. It lacks polish and does not have the snappiness and control you’d see in Children of Morta.

My biggest criticism of the game is its exploration/level design, which because of its 2D limitations and large reliance on vertically, becomes tedious towards the end of the game. The character has no ability to climb/ascend any verticality and you’ll often have to go around obstacles until you find the right path. Even by the end-game, there is no teleportation or even rope ladders, so you’ll be often stuck on shallow waters you can’t cross, or circling large areas of the map trying to reach a hilltop.

With that in mind, do all these shortcomings make Drova a bad game, or one not worth trying out? Absolutely not. Not only is it a good effort in its niche 2D open world genre, but it represents a good effort, which despite its flaws kept me interested until the credits rolled.

Being a lifelong fan of Gothic games, I have very high expectations of what this RPG sub-genre can deliver. Noticing these flaws relating to exploration, writing, and combat builds are definitely a personal standard, and the game still has a lot of potential. I have enjoyed the game despite this, and would recommend it to anyone willing to try. Certainly hoping that any potential sequel would iron out these kinks and deliver a more refined experience.