It is rare to find an actual Slavic story in a video game. It's usually relegated to the aesthetic part of it - the weird folklore, or the garments and architecture. And while these still have their place in media, capturing the essence, the thread that connects Slavic countries in their themes and worldviews has eluded most titles, but Felvidek delivers it in spades.

Many Slavic comedies, whether they are in film or literature, lean into the absurdity of life. Everything is funny, until it no longer is, but you don't stop laughing. Pavol is a drunk knight, and that's funny. Everyone makes fun of Pavol, and that's funny. Pavol is whining over his wife leaving him - oh the comedy! Pavol fights funny Hussite highwaymen - hilarious! Pavol looks over the body of his adversary and says "I'm so tired of death everywhere I go." And the ice cold water bucket drops on you and you realize, none of this is funny anymore, but Pavol can't stop smiling or laughing, because if he did, the only alternative would be to cry.

While I am Slavic, I am not Slovak, but I still feel seen by this game. It's rare for me to play something, and get all the jokes, get all the emotions, get all the references. I will laugh at Pavol, I will laugh with Pavol, and I will cry for Pavol, because he can't do it himself.

It is rare to find an [i]actual[/i] Slavic story in a video game. It's usually relegated to the aesthetic part of it - the weird folklore, or the garments and architecture. And while these still have their place in media, capturing the essence, the thread that connects Slavic countries in their themes and worldviews has eluded most titles, but Felvidek delivers it in spades. Many Slavic comedies, whether they are in film or literature, lean into the absurdity of life. Everything is funny, until it no longer is, but you don't stop laughing. Pavol is a drunk knight, and that's funny. Everyone makes fun of Pavol, and that's funny. Pavol is whining over his wife leaving him - [i]oh the comedy![/i] Pavol fights funny Hussite highwaymen - hilarious! Pavol looks over the body of his adversary and says "I'm so tired of death everywhere I go." And the ice cold water bucket drops on you and you realize, none of this is funny anymore, but Pavol can't stop smiling or laughing, because if he did, the only alternative would be to cry. While I am Slavic, I am not Slovak, but I still feel seen by this game. It's rare for me to play something, and get all the jokes, get all the emotions, get all the references. I will laugh at Pavol, I will laugh with Pavol, and I will cry for Pavol, because he can't do it himself.