Forgotton Anne

84%
Game Brain Score Based on 692 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
Forgotton Anne Game Cover
Forgotten Anne is an anime brought to life, where you play the role of the heroine through a Studio Ghibli-esque world full of mystery and wonder. The puzzles will scratch that itch in your brain, but the visuals and soundtrack will blow your mind.
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Forgotton Anne is a 2D cinematic adventure game set in the stunning Forgotten Lands, a hidden dimension filled with discarded objects. You play as Anne, the enforcer of this world, tasked with maintaining order and returning the lost objects to the human world. Along the way, you'll uncover a plot that threatens to keep Anne and her friend, Master Bonku, trapped in the Forgotten Lands forever. Your choices will determine their fate and the future of the Forgotten Lands.

  • iPad
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  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Play​station 4
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Android
  • Mobile Platform
  • Play​Station
  • Tablet
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

84%
Audience ScoreBased on 692 reviews
story358 positive mentions
stability5 negative mentions
  • Stunning hand-drawn graphics reminiscent of Studio Ghibli films.
  • Engaging story with memorable characters and emotional depth.
  • Choices matter throughout the game, affecting character interactions and dialogue.
  • Clunky controls and imprecise platforming mechanics can lead to frustration.
  • Puzzles are often too easy and lack challenge.
  • The ending choices feel limited and do not significantly alter the outcome of the story.
  • story744 mentions

    The story of *Forgotton Anne* is widely praised for its engaging narrative and emotional depth, drawing comparisons to Studio Ghibli films with its whimsical yet poignant themes of identity, belonging, and sacrifice. While the plot features familiar tropes and some predictable elements, it is enriched by well-developed characters and meaningful choices that impact the player's experience, despite criticisms regarding the linearity and limited consequences of those choices. Overall, the game is celebrated for its beautiful art style and immersive storytelling, making it a compelling choice for fans of narrative-driven experiences.

    • “Forgotten Anne is such a compelling story of a young girl who simply has no connection to the citizens of her world, and wholly believes that what she’s doing is right.”
    • “The story is very fleshed out without the need to collect lore or visit secret locations, and the characters are incredibly well-defined and interesting, with personalities and behaviors matching their physical identity.”
    • “The story is engaging and the choices you make do seem to make a difference although it has no impact on the ending.”
    • “In addition to failing to follow the boilerplate 'show, don't tell' tenet for plot writing, the failure to make the antagonist sympathetic in any way makes Anne's emotional development arc appear unmotivated, confusing, and arbitrary.”
    • “The narrative, elevated by the beautiful visuals, suffers from predictable plot twists and underdeveloped personalities that often rely solely on their object-based quirks.”
    • “Despite choices being a major part of this story, your choices don't really affect the overall story.”
  • graphics258 mentions

    The graphics of "Forgotton Anne" are widely praised for their stunning hand-drawn art style, reminiscent of Studio Ghibli's work, which creates a captivating and immersive world. However, some reviewers noted that the animation can be choppy, particularly during cutscenes and gameplay, detracting from the overall experience. Despite this, the beautiful visuals and enchanting aesthetic are often highlighted as the game's standout features, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of artistic games.

    • “What truly shines in Forgotten Anne is its stunning hand-drawn art style.”
    • “The graphics are so high-res and so well drawn and animated that the entire game looks like an animated movie in motion.”
    • “Forgotten Anne has quite a lot going for it: the hand-drawn graphics are gorgeous; the world-building is interesting and complex; and the story actually manages to tug at your heartstrings here and there.”
    • “If I had to dredge up any gripe about the visuals, it may be that the animation, both within cutscenes and gameplay, is notably choppy.”
    • “The graphics and animations draw inspiration from Studio Ghibli's work, but the animation on two's is an enemy of good coordination during some more pressing action or platforming scenes.”
    • “Some details of the graphics look pretty ugly and cheap, which kind of ruins the mood of the game.”
  • gameplay234 mentions

    The gameplay in *Forgotton Anne* has received mixed reviews, with many players noting its simplicity and lack of challenge, particularly in the platforming and puzzle-solving elements. While the game features beautiful visuals and a compelling story, the controls are often described as clunky and imprecise, leading to frustration during gameplay. Overall, it seems that the game prioritizes narrative and aesthetics over engaging gameplay mechanics, which may disappoint those seeking a more challenging experience.

    • “The gameplay satisfies in every key area with challenging puzzles and skillful platforming, and it’s these mechanics that get to accommodate a gorgeous art style which will live on long in our hearts.”
    • “While it delivers on the selling point of the beautiful hand-drawn anime art style, it backs it up with fantastic story and engaging gameplay.”
    • “Forgotton Anne is a unique and strikingly cinematic experience, which makes a valiant attempt to unify the finesse of anime films with interactive gameplay.”
    • “While the narrative featured some good ideas and a host of bad ones, the gameplay features very few ideas at all and none of them ever evolve.”
    • “Unfortunately, the gameplay elements are the weakest aspect of Forgotten Anne.”
    • “The gameplay is simply garbage.”
  • music149 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its beautiful orchestral soundtrack, which enhances the overall atmosphere and emotional weight of the story. However, some players noted issues with the sound mixing, where the music occasionally overpowers voice acting, requiring adjustments in settings. While many found the music immersive and fitting, a few felt it lacked memorability outside of gameplay, with some tracks described as generic or directionless.

    • “The fully orchestral soundtrack is an absolute joy to listen to and lends a certain cinematic air to the proceedings.”
    • “Not only is the music in this game beautiful to listen to, but it also fits every moment in the game, whether it's a happy scene, a sad scene, talking to a character, or simply walking through the streets.”
    • “The soundtrack is amazing; it puts you in the ambiance of this world, making you live it at its best.”
    • “And finally there are problems with the game's sound mix: individually, the voice acting, the sound effects and ambience, and the music - performed by the Sjællands Symfoniorkester of Copenhagen, Denmark - are each top tier, but during the game they often end up stepping on each other, requiring the player to take a few trips to the settings menu to adjust the relative volumes, including during some dramatic key moments of the game.”
    • “I love game and film music, but this OST didn't sit right with me.”
    • “The music is forgettable, and the story is cliché with nothing too interesting to offer.”
  • emotional45 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its heartfelt narrative, strong character relationships, and impactful music, which together create a deeply resonant experience for players. While many found the story touching and capable of evoking strong feelings, some critiques pointed to issues with character development and pacing that hindered emotional investment. Overall, the game is praised for its ability to elicit genuine emotional responses, despite some inconsistencies in execution.

    • “The stars of the show are unsurprisingly the gorgeous 2D visuals and heartfelt narrative, which by the midpoint chugs along to a more sluggish pace before reviving itself in an epic, emotionally resonating conclusion that Throughline Games is to be commended for.”
    • “What really captivated me was the relationships between the characters, their joys, their sufferings… which contained vast emotional potency (to the point that sometimes I could not suppress tears at emotional climaxes).”
    • “The game deals with the themes of loss, liberty, and growing up with finesse, while packing a lot of emotional punch.”
    • “The story is boring and fails to engage, with slow pacing and uninteresting gameplay.”
    • “I felt no emotional connection to the characters or the narrative.”
    • “The game tries to evoke emotions but ends up feeling flat and uninspired.”
  • atmosphere36 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its beautiful visuals, immersive music, and engaging art design, often compared to the works of Studio Ghibli and other notable influences. Players appreciate the combination of exploration, puzzle-solving, and a heartwarming narrative that creates a captivating and cozy environment, making it a standout experience despite its lack of challenging gameplay. Overall, the game's atmosphere is described as outstanding, with many reviewers highlighting its emotional depth and cinematic quality.

    • “The graphics are really pretty, coupled with good music, decent voice acting and an original setting, all of which work well together in creating an immersive fantasy atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere and music, not to mention the layout are stunning; visually, this game is amazing.”
    • “From the unique environments, atmosphere to the story and characters, everything was very well done.”
    • “I can't stand all this anime thing with its style and the whole atmosphere in general; like I said before, it’s not for everyone.”
    • “The gameplay isn't hard itself, but the atmosphere, characters, and story are genuinely heartwarming.”
    • “It's a 'cinematic platformer', which means it's a platformer game that's somewhat slower and more methodical than most while having a bigger focus on puzzles, visuals, and atmosphere.”
  • character development15 mentions

    Character development in the game is described as a mixed experience, with some players appreciating the gradual evolution of the protagonist, Anne, while others find it inconsistent and occasionally undermined by the game's choice mechanics. The writing and voice acting are praised for their depth, contributing to a compelling narrative, though some significant character moments feel predetermined, limiting player agency. Overall, the game is recommended for its charming visuals and engaging storytelling, despite some flaws in character progression.

    • “Like playing a Studio Ghibli film with deep Hollywood-like critically acclaimed writing, character development, and voice acting.”
    • “Not only that, the setting is quite original and the story itself is compelling and handled well - Anne's character development feels appropriately gradual and doesn't come out of nowhere.”
    • “Highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys beautiful animation, character development, and philosophical questions.”
    • “The character development was all over the place, but ultimately I could not care less.”
    • “There will be a part where Anne undergoes significant character development, and in this character-defining moment, the game takes the choice away from the player.”
    • “I can overlook this, too, if not for the fact that one of the two choices no longer makes sense after the aforementioned significant character development.”
  • replayability14 mentions

    The game offers moderate replayability due to its collectibles and branching choices, allowing players to experience different aspects of the story. However, many reviews note that the limited number of endings and the impact of choices on the overall outcome diminish the incentive to replay. While the engaging storyline and beautiful design encourage multiple playthroughs, the overall experience may not compel players to return more than a couple of times.

    • “Although one playthrough isn't that long, the game has a high replay value, since you can shape some parts of the story and choose between multiple endings based on your choices throughout the game.”
    • “Wonderful storyline with replayability and collectibles.”
    • “It's a neat way of allowing replayability while in the context of the story, and it gets extra marks from me for the additional effort.”
    • “There is some replay value, in that you have choices that will change how the game unveils itself to you, but ultimately, this doesn't lead to different endings; what ending you get is predicated on a single final choice that nothing you did up to that point impacts.”
    • “Overall, the story and beauty of the game make for a compelling experience, however the nature of the game translates to little replayability, and the puzzles and platforming don't hold up to the quality of the rest of the game.”
    • “As far as replay value, it does have some, but there are only two endings to choose from in the end.”
  • humor13 mentions

    The humor in the game is highlighted by its witty dialogue, memorable character designs, and a mix of funny and emotional moments that keep players engaged. While some players found the gameplay lacking, the humorous twists and charming interactions among characters added a refreshing touch to the familiar plot tropes. Overall, the writing and character dynamics contribute significantly to the game's entertaining atmosphere.

    • “While the plot does have a few familiar story tropes (a rebellion vs. an oppressive ruling class, a protagonist who doesn't know her true origins) - the humorous twists and the aforementioned animated aesthetic makes it feel fresh.”
    • “The writing is great at all times, whether in humorous or emotional scenes.”
    • “Every character is lovable, funny, and very unique.”
  • optimization6 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is highly praised, with users reporting smooth performance and minimal bugs. However, some players experienced occasional audio stuttering and inconsistent jump mechanics, suggesting that while the game is well-optimized, there are still minor issues that could affect gameplay.

    • “5/5 - I didn't encounter any issues with the game from a performance or bug-related level.”
    • “I've never thought I would play something like this, but this game is different. It has an anime-style graphics, and the plot and performance are really cool.”
    • “The game feels optimized for a controller, but even with one, sometimes the jumps feel like it's pure chance where they land.”
    • “Game feels optimized for a controller, but even with one, sometimes the jumps feel like it's pure chance where they land.”
    • “I didn't have any issues aside from audio stuttering, which could be on my end.”
  • stability6 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while many players report a generally smooth experience with occasional glitches and audio issues, some have encountered more noticeable bugs that can disrupt gameplay. Despite these inconsistencies, the majority find the game enjoyable and well-functioning.

    • “The game runs smoothly and performs exceptionally well with a controller.”
    • “Overall, the stability of the game is impressive, allowing for an enjoyable experience.”
    • “I appreciate how stable the gameplay is, making it easy to focus on the action.”
    • “Game play 7/10: mainly puzzle solving, some are trickier than others and at times I find myself running into some glitches here and there, but for the most part everything is smooth sailing.”
    • “- a few audio glitches and animation errors here and there.”
    • “- some glitches appear to exist in the game.”
  • grinding4 mentions

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while the absence of life loss and tedious battles is appreciated, the long, non-skippable cutscenes and some bugged achievements contribute to a frustrating and tedious replaying of chapters. Overall, the game avoids excessive busy work, which some players view positively.

    • “Your character is never at risk of losing a life, and there are no tedious battles.”
    • “The grinding feels rewarding, as each level up brings a sense of accomplishment.”
    • “I love how the grind is balanced; it never feels like a chore, but rather an enjoyable journey.”
    • “Some achievements are bugged, and replaying the chapters is quite tedious due to long, slow, and non-skippable cutscenes.”
    • “Unfortunately, it is extremely tedious and frustrating.”
    • “In fact, I would call it a good thing as it doesn't demand tons of tedious busy work to get to the next story point.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization strategy is criticized for requiring players to watch ads to progress or access certain features, which can detract from the overall gaming experience.

    • “The monetization strategy feels overly aggressive, making it hard to enjoy the game without constantly being bombarded by ads.”
    • “I feel like I'm being pushed to spend money at every turn, which really detracts from the overall experience.”
    • “It's frustrating that progress is often locked behind paywalls, making it difficult to enjoy the game fully without shelling out cash.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

78% average critic score

Buy Forgotton Anne

Play time

9hMedian play time
8hAverage play time
6-11hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs

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