Forever Home

92%
Game Brain Score Based on 159 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
Forever Home Game Cover
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Throughout our lives the moments we share with others paint bold strokes across our canvas of memories. They define our personality, our existence, and shape our futures. Our greatest desire is to find that moment, that perfect instance, we wish to relive forever. That moment, no matter where you are or what you're feeling, is home. After a series of tragic events, our hero Xero and his best frien…

  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

92%
Audience ScoreBased on 159 reviews
story74 positive mentions
grinding17 negative mentions
  • Engaging and emotional story that tackles complex themes while maintaining humor and charm.
  • Well-designed combat system with unique character abilities and a variety of strategies to explore.
  • High replay value with a wealth of content, including side quests and character development.
  • RPG Maker graphics and some janky animations may deter players who prefer more polished visuals.
  • Some gameplay mechanics, like the lack of a quicksave option and certain boss difficulty spikes, can be frustrating.
  • Occasional grammatical errors and bugs that need addressing, which can detract from the overall experience.
  • story195 mentions

    The game's story is widely praised for its depth, emotional impact, and engaging character development, often drawing comparisons to classic JRPGs. Reviewers note its balance of lighthearted moments with darker themes, creating a compelling narrative that keeps players invested. While some critiques mention pacing issues and familiar tropes, the overall consensus is that the storytelling is a standout feature, making it a must-play for fans of the genre.

    • “It's easily one of the most fun indie JRPGs I've ever played and, despite the humble RPG Maker visuals and game mechanics, it tells a pretty detailed and compelling story which addresses some surprisingly complex and mature themes, not shying away from heavy stuff, while staying true to the genre's more lighthearted conventions.”
    • “The story is beautiful, non-linear and a bit confusing at times, but exploring the map is really fun as well as evolving the character and finding new equipment.”
    • “The story is engaging with lots of depth but also humor and the characters are likable and interesting.”
    • “The story is simple, but it doesn't mean bad.”
    • “Flawed one-dimensional antagonist...makes the whole story sort of weak.”
    • “There are a lot of flaws with story holes, and it may get too artsy with character development, but it does some new things.”
  • gameplay68 mentions

    The gameplay of "Forever Home" is a blend of classic turn-based mechanics and innovative features, offering a nostalgic experience reminiscent of SNES-era RPGs. Players appreciate the depth of combat, character customization, and engaging story, though some mechanics can feel underexplained or inconsistent. Overall, it provides a solid and addictive gameplay experience, with a good balance of challenge and narrative integration, making it a worthwhile investment for fans of the genre.

    • “It's easily one of the most fun indie JRPGs I've ever played and, despite the humble RPG Maker visuals and game mechanics, it tells a pretty detailed and compelling story which addresses some surprisingly complex and mature themes, not shying away from heavy stuff, while staying true to the genre's more lighthearted conventions.”
    • “The gameplay is a classic turn-based RPG, but what makes it interesting is that you keep learning new skills throughout the game, so it never gets boring or stale.”
    • “Mechanically, the game is incredibly deep and feels inspired by some of the greatest RPG mechanics in the SNES, PS1, and PS2 eras of development, but takes the best of those mechanics further by weaving them together.”
    • “The RPG Maker graphics turn me off, I hate the 'click on random furniture to see what's there' mechanics, and a few tunes in the soundtrack aren't that great...”
    • “There are too many unexplained mechanics that seem like they do nothing 90% of the time, with the other 10% being absolutely critical but without any real explanation or reasoning why.”
    • “Inpenetrable plot, awful graphics from the 1980s, dull as ditch water gameplay, and it's a boring linear slog.”
  • music47 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising its emotional depth and well-curated original soundtrack that enhances the storytelling, while others find certain tracks, particularly battle themes, to be forgettable or out of place. Overall, many players appreciate the effort put into the composition, noting that it significantly contributes to the game's atmosphere, despite some criticisms regarding repetitiveness and the use of stock music.

    • “The music is very good during the emotional bits, and overall it does its job fine.”
    • “There are numerous great tracks and in many cases they are employed perfectly - the ending song is just... a special treat.”
    • “The soundtrack is also one of the best I've heard in a very long time, and there is one story sequence in particular that has at least four variations of a central musical theme that changes depending on how good or bad a particularly epic battle is going.”
    • “Most of the music doesn't really do anything for me, and most of the battle themes sound like elevator music.”
    • “The only downside for me is the battle music; it doesn't have a boss theme and only has the same three themes for every battle.”
    • “The music in this game was completely forgettable and a bit maddening at times during a long fight.”
  • graphics25 mentions

    The graphics of the game are primarily based on standard RPG Maker assets, which some players find off-putting while others appreciate the nostalgic charm. Despite the limitations of the engine, many reviewers commend the effective use of both default and custom graphics, noting that the artwork and attention to detail elevate the overall aesthetic. While the visuals may not be groundbreaking, they successfully complement the game's compelling story and gameplay, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of the genre.

    • “The artwork is the best I've ever seen in RPG Maker games.”
    • “The attention to detail in the artwork stuns me, and I am very impressed by the love that went into making this game.”
    • “The graphics are nicely used, the music so far is very well composed and easy on the ears, the gameplay is silky smooth.”
    • “The RPG Maker graphics turn me off; I hate the 'click on random furniture to see what's there' mechanics, and a few tunes in the soundtrack aren't that great.”
    • “Inpenetrable plot, awful graphics from the 1980s, dull as ditch water gameplay, and it's a boring linear slog.”
    • “Graphically, this is a standard RPG Maker tileset.”
  • emotional25 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised, with players noting its ability to evoke strong feelings through a compelling story and well-developed characters. The balance between humor and serious themes enhances the emotional impact, making moments of sadness and joy resonate deeply. The soundtrack complements the narrative effectively, contributing to an overall experience that leaves a lasting emotional impression on players.

    • “Forever home is pretty straightforward but effective and very emotional; it actually made me feel something, and I will remember it for that.”
    • “The story (while very difficult and emotionally devastating to proceed with at times) is truly stellar.”
    • “In one sitting, I went from almost waking up my wife twice from laughing out loud to witnessing some of the most emotionally gripping scenes I've seen in a game.”
  • grinding19 mentions

    The reviews present a mixed perspective on grinding in the game. While some players find it enjoyable and reminiscent of classic JRPGs, others describe it as tedious and repetitive, with combat that can feel grindy despite the option to speed up gameplay. Overall, the game offers designated grinding spots and systems that can enhance the experience, but it may not appeal to those who dislike grinding in RPGs.

    • “Not grindy.”
    • “The fighting is not too grindy either.”
    • “Can be a bit grindy for some players.”
    • “From what I can see in reviews and forums, the game also becomes pretty grindy, and I can clearly see why.”
    • “It's tediously repetitive: walk, fight, walk, fight, walk, fight.”
  • humor15 mentions

    The humor in the game is noted for its excellent writing and engaging dialogue, striking a balance between lightheartedness and serious themes. While some find the humor childish, many praise the snarky and heartwarming interactions, with NPCs delivering consistently funny lines. Overall, the game effectively blends silly humor with darker elements, creating a memorable and enjoyable experience.

    • “The dialogue can be hilarious at times.”
    • “The game walks a balance between silly humor, such as jokes about some of the genre's tropes, and dealing with very serious topics, but it handles this very well so the two are never at odds with each other; rather, they mesh to form a very nice experience.”
    • “I found myself talking to every single NPC because many of them had me bursting out laughing.”
  • character development6 mentions

    Character development in the game is praised for its depth and integration with the story, featuring well-crafted side quests that enhance each character's narrative and emotional impact. While some reviewers note flaws such as story holes and an overly artsy approach, the overall consensus highlights a strong commitment to character growth and engaging dialogue, contributing to a rich and rewarding gameplay experience.

    • “It's got a deep story, solid character development and growth, and a surprisingly fun battle system.”
    • “It also features an interesting and exciting way to reward exploration and character development via its side stories.”
    • “You can tell that the creator has spent a lot of time and effort in the details, the enriching story and plot lines, and character development to make this game something worth playing.”
    • “It has a lot of flaws with story holes, and it may get too artsy with character development.”
    • “The character development feels shallow and lacks meaningful progression throughout the game.”
    • “The characters are one-dimensional, making it hard to connect with their development.”
  • stability1 mentions

    Players have reported stability issues, particularly noting that the game tends to freeze when using elevators in the Affliction, especially when entering from different teleporters.

    • “The game freezes when using the elevators in the affliction if you enter from another end when using different teleporters.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

30hMedian play time
29hAverage play time
6-50hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

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