Forever Home
- October 31, 2017
- Pixel Blade Games
- 45h median play time
Get on Steam"Forever Home" is a retro-style RPG influenced by SNES and PS1 classics, where Xero and his friends must navigate a war between nations and prevent the end of humanity demandingly. The turn-based battle system mirrors Squaresoft games, featuring a skill learning system resembling Grandia II and Final Fantasy VI. After a string of tragic events, they search for a moment to relive forever while trying to save the planet from destruction.
Mac OS
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Forever Home is a nostalgic throwback to classic JRPGs, featuring an engaging story and well-developed characters that resonate emotionally with players.
- The game offers a rich gameplay experience with a variety of combat mechanics, character customization, and optional content that keeps players invested for many hours.
- Despite being an RPG Maker title, the game stands out with its polished presentation, heartfelt writing, and a soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
- Some players have reported issues with controller support and bugs that can disrupt gameplay, which detracts from the overall experience.
- The game can feel grindy at times, especially in the later stages, which may frustrate players looking for a more streamlined experience.
- Certain plot elements and character dynamics, particularly involving darker themes, may not resonate well with all players, leading to mixed feelings about the narrative.
- story142 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally well-received, characterized by engaging characters and a mix of humor and darker themes, which keeps players invested. While some reviewers noted that the plot follows familiar JRPG tropes, many praised its emotional depth and character development, making it a compelling experience overall. However, a few critiques pointed out pacing issues and a reliance on standard narrative elements, suggesting that while the story is enjoyable, it may not break new ground in the genre.
“The story can be very dark at times, but it's balanced by some great character interactions and comedy moments that never fail to make you smile.”
“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.”
“Flawed one-dimensional antagonist...makes the whole story sort of weak.”
“Worst of all is the story, f*** it's so bad and cringe, I am really forcing myself to finish this.”
“These dudes have zero storytelling sense, they just put a bunch of crazy ideas together and force fed them into the game's story.”
- gameplay52 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Forever Home" is characterized as a classic turn-based RPG that offers deep mechanics and a variety of skills, keeping the experience engaging and preventing monotony. While many players appreciate the nostalgic feel reminiscent of SNES and PS1 RPGs, some criticize the lack of explanations for certain mechanics and the presence of tedious narrative elements. Overall, the game is praised for its addictive combat, customization options, and a strong storyline, though it has some rough edges and balancing issues.
“The gameplay is a classic turn-based RPG, but what makes it interesting is that you keep learning new skills through 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.”
“An addictive storyline, great gameplay, some fantastic animations (especially within the confines of the engine), and good music.”
“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.”
“There are too many puzzles and mechanics that are simply thrown at the player with no lead-up or previous overtones, and little explanations why.”
“Some of the game mechanics are a little rough, with no scan ability to figure out enemies' weaknesses, no gear comparison mode for weapon shops or the crafting window, and the d-pad mode for controller support still not working.”
- music36 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative 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 criticize certain battle themes as uninspired or repetitive. Despite these criticisms, many players appreciate the overall quality and composition of the music, noting its effectiveness in setting the mood during key moments. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a significant aspect of the game, contributing positively to the experience, though it may not resonate with everyone.
“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.”
“Music is arguably the game's only weak point.”
- emotional20 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised, with players noting its ability to evoke strong feelings through a touching story, charismatic characters, and a beautiful soundtrack. The game effectively balances humor and serious themes, creating an emotional rollercoaster that leaves a lasting impact, often prompting players to reflect on heavy topics like nihilism and loss. Many reviewers highlight the game's capacity to connect with them on a personal level, making it a memorable experience.
“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.”
“Don't be fooled by the kaduki style facesets; this game is quite an emotional roller coaster due to dealing with issues like nihilism, war crimes, and suicide.”
- graphics17 mentions
- 24 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are a blend of standard RPG Maker assets and custom elements, praised for their cohesion and attention to detail, appealing particularly to fans of retro aesthetics. While some players appreciate the nostalgic charm reminiscent of classic SNES RPGs, others criticize the outdated visuals and simplistic design. Overall, the graphics are considered a strong fit for the game's style, enhancing the overall experience for those who enjoy the RPG Maker aesthetic.
“The attention to detail in the artwork stuns me, and I am very impressed by the love that went into making this game.”
“I've spent roughly 8 hours in Forever Home and it's everything I wanted to play in a nostalgic SNES style gameplay of story and old-school graphics.”
“Inpenetrable plot, awful graphics from the 1980s, dull as ditch water gameplay, and it's a boring linear slog.”
“It's standard graphical level is the peak of what one can obtain using the system, with extraneous art elements thrown in to add depth and individuality to the project.”
“I was looking for an RPG that I could play on my potato of a computer and this one came up under recommendations for pixel graphics.”
- grinding16 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- -12 % neutral mentions
- 94 % negative mentions
The game's grinding aspect is polarizing; while some players appreciate the nostalgic grind reminiscent of Final Fantasy 7, others find it tedious and repetitive, often feeling overwhelmed by the frequency of battles. Adjusting the game speed can alleviate some of the grind, but many still feel that the combat becomes overly laborious, detracting from the overall experience. Despite these criticisms, some players enjoy the challenge and see value in the grinding mechanics for character progression.
“The grinding in this game feels rewarding and not overly tedious.”
“I appreciate how the grind is balanced; it keeps me engaged without feeling like a chore.”
“The progression system makes grinding enjoyable, as each level feels like a meaningful achievement.”
“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.”
- humor13 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is noted for its excellent balance between engaging storytelling and comedic dialogue, with many players finding it both snarky and heartwarming. While some critiques mention moments of childishness, the overall consensus highlights the effective integration of humor with darker themes, resulting in a rich experience that elicits both laughter and emotional depth. The well-written characters and their interactions contribute significantly to the game's comedic appeal, making it enjoyable for a wide audience.
“The dialogue can be hilarious at times.”
“The dialogue is snarky, funny, yet heartwarming.”
“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.”
- character development5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features strong character development, with each character receiving a fleshed-out narrative through engaging side quests that enhance the overall story. Players appreciate the depth of the characters and the emotional impact of their journeys, indicating that significant effort was invested in crafting meaningful dialogue and plotlines. Overall, the character development is a standout aspect that contributes to the game's rich storytelling 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.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players have reported stability issues, particularly noting that the game tends to freeze when using elevators in the Affliction, especially if entering from different teleporters.
“The game freezes when using the elevators in the affliction if you enter from another end when using different teleporters.”
