Forgotten Hill The Third Axis

About

Forgotten Hill: The Third Axis is a free, online horror-adventure game that doesn't require downloads or logins. Players explore the eerie and mysterious Forgotten Hill, solving puzzles and uncovering the town's dark secrets. With its atmospheric graphics and immersive gameplay, The Third Axis delivers a chilling and engaging experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Forgotten Hill The Third Axis screenshot

80%

Audience ScoreBased on 45 reviews

atmosphere1 positive mentions

grinding1 negative mentions

The puzzles are challenging but fair, showcasing the studio's ability to craft engaging gameplay.
The game is free to play, making it an accessible entry point for fans of the genre.
The atmosphere and horror elements are well-executed, with some players appreciating the jump scares and overall creepiness.

The 3D navigation system feels awkward and restrictive, detracting from the overall experience.
Some players found the game less complex and engaging compared to previous titles in the series.
The camera controls and sensitivity issues can lead to frustration, making it difficult to explore the environment effectively.

story
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
40%
30%
The story is set in the Forgotten Hill universe, offering a standalone narrative that, while not deeply detailed, effectively captures horror intrigue through on-screen text and found documents. Players appreciate the engaging plot and lore, which enhance the overall experience, despite some navigation issues. Overall, the story is compelling enough to leave players eager for future installments.
- “This seems to be a standalone story but still in the Forgotten Hill universe, a place you never want to find yourself in.”
- “First of all, the point-and-click gameplay was perfect and easy to control. The story and lore of Forgotten Hill was spot on with horror intrigue, and finally, the overall experience was top-notch.”
- “The story that unfolded was brilliant!”
- “As far as story, it's there but not very detailed.”
- “As is the norm for FM Studios, there are no voice-overs and the story is told through on-screen text and documents you find lying about.”
- “I noticed the third axis was on the Forgotten Hill list but not exactly part of the main line story.”
graphics
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game's transition to 3D graphics marks a significant shift from the previous 2D surreal art style, offering a fresh visual experience that aligns with the new escape room puzzles. While the new graphics are generally well-received, some players feel they lack the charm and emotional connection of the earlier 2D characters, leading to mixed feelings about the overall aesthetic. The attempt to stylize the 3D visuals is appreciated, but it doesn't fully capture the essence of the beloved franchise.
- “The first game in the series made in 3D since the previous ones used a 2D surreal art style, oh, and it's free!”
- “The new graphics are good.”
- “I was a bit surprised to find the next installment of Forgotten Hills in the 'free to play' category, but now I can see why – this is a slight rebranding of the franchise, and we get new visuals, controls, a 3D environment, and a more dynamic horror element.”
- “While the puzzles worked well with the new art style, the child you rescue was not nearly as 'lovable' as the 2D characters in earlier releases.”
- “I appreciate they attempted to stylize the 3D graphics, but this simply doesn't hold the same feeling as a Forgotten Hill game usually gave me that made me fall in love with the series.”
- “This is a slight rebranding of the franchise, and we get new visuals, controls, 3D environment, and more dynamic horror elements.”
gameplay
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
60%
The gameplay has received mixed feedback, with players finding the 'click and drag' mechanics counter-intuitive and frustrating, particularly in the new 3D format. While the game is short, lasting only about two hours, it appears to serve as a playtest for the 3D mechanics, resulting in simpler puzzles that may not fully engage seasoned players. Overall, there is a recognition of the developers' effort to innovate, but improvements are needed for a smoother experience.
- “I appreciate that the devs were trying something new and wanted to let us test this new 3D mechanic for free.”
- “I'm guessing this is sort of a playtest for the 3D mechanic and examining objects by rotating them, so the puzzles were a little easier than in previous games.”
- “I struggled with the 'click and drag' mechanics; they seemed counter-intuitive and I think this needs a bit of fine-tuning if FM Studios is going 3D in the future.”
- “The problem is the game doesn't do a good enough job reminding the player of this mechanic.”
- “Only 2 hours of gameplay to complete, and I did get frustrated at first.”
- “I struggled with the 'click and drag' mechanics; they seemed counter-intuitive and I think this needs a bit of fine-tuning if the studio is going 3D in the future.”
music
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
60%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews; some players find the soundtrack hypnotic and fitting for exploration, while others describe it as repetitive and irritating, with a monotonous drumming that emphasizes the horror elements. Overall, the music contributes to the atmosphere but may not appeal to everyone.
- “I really enjoyed the casual pace of the game and the soundtrack was hypnotic but also mysterious.”
- “A bit music concrete.”
- “- not much to write about music here since the entire game was intense but at the same time rather monotonous drumming/pumping in your ears that screamed 'you are playing a horror game right now.'”
- “Your exploration is accompanied by music and sound effects; I admit that I played most of the game in silence, with my headphones off.”
- “The background music is a bit irritating; it is a repetitive booming heartbeat with overlays of random sounds.”
- “Not much to write about music here since the entire game was intense but at the same time rather monotonous drumming/pumping in your ears that screamed 'you are playing a horror game right now.'”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is generally well-received, with players appreciating its engaging look and feel, which enhances the overall experience alongside the puzzles.
- “I quite enjoyed most of the puzzles, atmosphere, look, and feel of this game.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, particularly in the latter half, where excessive backtracking through open rooms to find solutions can become frustrating.
- “The movement felt pretty tedious at times, especially during the second half of the game when most of the rooms are open to you and you're going back and forth looking for solutions.”