Inspired by classic PC RPGs such as Baldur’s Gate and Gothic, Drova Forsaken Kin wraps Celtic mythology and mysticism around an old-school action-adventure style, with developer Just2D’s gorgeous pixel art bringing its world and characters to life in a dark fantasy setting. It drops you into an open world where a fallen society has discovered the ability to capture and manipulate the spirits that govern nature itself. With Drova update 1.3, Just2D packs in plenty of additions, with a particular focus on the late-game, and a change it describes as “the biggest we’ve ever made since the release of Drova.”
Drova Forsaken Kin is a striking blend of modern ideas and the best classic PC games, and the result is an action RPG that boasts an impressive 95% Steam user score, bestowing upon it the elusive ‘overwhelmingly positive’ rating. Starting out as a nobody with nothing of note to your name, you’re set free to explore its lands as you wish, deciding whether you intend to ally with either of its power-hungry factions and making impactful choices that can transform the state of the world dramatically.
“Quite some of you wished for more content for the later parts of the game,” Just2D writes in its development blog for patch 1.3, which is available now for initial testing on the beta server. “We took that feedback seriously and added fresh late-game content.” It warns that some of the descriptions of additions contain big spoilers, but I’ll do my best to keep things as clear as possible here for those of you who have yet to play.
The first addition relates to the title of the update, ‘The Flesh Rises,’ and Just2D describes it as the biggest change it’s made since the launch. The description has been kept intentionally vague, but it teases that, by investigating how the Red Moor came to life and what the Bygones did there back in the old days, you’ll uncover “something huge.” There’s also a new tile set for the Red Moor to help the zone feel more distinct from other caves and dungeons.
Next on the list is a tweak to magic. “Many of you were sad that magic comes quite late in Drova,” Just2D notes, explaining that this was an intentional choice to help the game feel grounded. However, in an attempt to give players a slightly more fulfilling fantasy, there is now a new spell category (based on your Mind attribute) that offers some magical abilities you can cast without the need for a Runestone. “For us, this was the best way to implement it into the world,” it says.
On the more physical side of things, Just2D addresses warrior players feeling like they were a little short-changed for endgame options that fulfilled the funda
Finally, the team notes that it received “tons of feedback regarding chapter three.” Without getting into specifics (although you can read the full blog if you’re curious), the gist is that many players felt unsatisfied with how much they were able to act as they wanted, or at least how their character would have done, as its major events played out.
“The results caused by the expedition are an important point within the story of the game,” Just2D explains. “It changes everything and gives a twist, and allows the player to understand their faction and their actual goals. And it allows the player to question the decisions [being made].”
Making big changes here would be difficult, therefore, although a few adjustments have been implemented “which should make the events a bit less shocking and maybe even a bit more understandable.” There’s more chance to question the events during the expedition, and to reflect in the library with another character after the fact. The team says it understands the concerns, however, and “will keep that in mind for future stories.”
Drova Forsaken Kin patch 1.3 ‘The Flesh Rises’ is out now on the beta client. The game is also 25% off until Thursday March 20, meaning you’ll pay just $18.74 / £17.24.
You can access the beta build from the game’s properties menu in your Steam library, under ‘betas.’ Just2D notes that saves will transfer to the beta, and that they can be brought back to the main game once the update releases in full, but recommends creating backup saves before you begin just to be on the safe side.
If a good yarn really gets you going, we’d recommend any of the best story games on our list of favorites. For more options you can enjoy by yourself, we’ve picked out the best single-player games in 2025 as well.
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