Forgotton Anne
- May 15, 2018
- Throughline Games
- 9h median play time
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.
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.
Reviews
- Stunning hand-drawn art style reminiscent of Studio Ghibli films.
- Engaging and emotional story with memorable characters.
- Choices matter throughout the game, affecting character interactions and dialogue.
- Clunky controls and imprecise platforming mechanics.
- Puzzles can be overly simplistic and lack challenge.
- Unskippable cutscenes and dialogues can disrupt the flow of gameplay.
- story988 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story of "Forgotton Anne" is widely praised for its emotional depth, unique setting, and engaging characters, often drawing comparisons to Studio Ghibli films. While the narrative features meaningful choices that can affect dialogue and interactions, many players note that these choices have limited impact on the overall outcome, leading to a somewhat linear experience. Despite some predictability and pacing issues, the game's stunning visuals and heartfelt storytelling create a captivating experience that resonates with players.
“I loved the different characters, the storyline was unique and beautifully crafted, the art was stunning, and the music made everything all that much emotional.”
“A surprisingly deep story that manages to be both moving and profound despite its naivete, with bizarre characters offering meaningful choices along the way.”
“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 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.”
“The game is boring and the story is nothing special.”
- graphics338 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Forgotton Anne" are widely praised for their stunning hand-drawn art style, reminiscent of Studio Ghibli films, which creates an immersive and enchanting atmosphere. While the visuals are described as beautiful and captivating, some reviewers noted that the animation can be choppy, particularly during gameplay and cutscenes. Overall, the game's aesthetic is a significant highlight, appealing to fans of anime and artistic storytelling.
“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.”
“The visuals are beautifully hand-drawn both in the cutscenes and in-game that can remind you of a Studio Ghibli film.”
“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 twos is an enemy of good coordination during some more pressing action or platforming scenes.”
“The art style is very endearing, but unfortunately, gameplay controls seem stuck in the 1970s or something, super clunky to the point they drove me mad in just about an hour of play.”
- gameplay300 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The gameplay in *Forgotton Anne* has received mixed reviews, with many players noting its simplicity and clunky mechanics. While the game features light platforming and basic puzzles that serve the narrative, they often feel repetitive and lack challenge, leading to frustration for some. Overall, the gameplay is seen as a secondary element to the game's strong story and visuals, making it more suitable for those who prioritize narrative over gameplay complexity.
“The gameplay is great although the puzzles are simple and the controls are a bit clunky.”
“The gameplay is a 2D walking simulator filled to the brim with puzzles and player-dependent choices which impact the story.”
“The gameplay is mostly nice, except maybe on one or two points.”
“While the hand-drawn animations and art design are commendable, the same cannot be said for the in-game puzzles and gameplay, which are, at best, mediocre and, at worst, unsatisfactory.”
“Unfortunately, the gameplay elements are the weakest aspect of Forgotten Anne.”
“The gameplay is simply garbage.”
- music189 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its orchestral quality and emotional depth, enhancing the overall atmosphere and storytelling. While many players found the soundtrack beautiful and fitting for various scenes, some noted issues with sound mixing that occasionally drowned out dialogue. Overall, the music is described as a significant highlight, contributing to the game's charm and immersive experience.
“The fully orchestral soundtrack is an absolute joy to listen to and lends a certain cinematic air to the proceedings.”
“The music fits the game perfectly, the controls can be a bit strange to start with, but you soon get used to them.”
“The soundtrack was amazing!”
“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, although when I play the game I remember it adding a feeling of awe in some gorgeous scenes, is not that memorable when you're done playing it. The music is like the sauce in a delicious steak; if you want to enjoy the sauce, you need to eat it with the steak.”
- emotional57 mentions
- 98 % positive mentions
- -4 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised for its heartfelt narrative, stunning visuals, and evocative music, which together create a deeply engaging experience that resonates with players. Many reviewers noted the game's ability to evoke strong feelings, from joy to heartbreak, particularly through character relationships and impactful story moments. However, some critiques highlight issues with pacing and character development that can detract from emotional investment, suggesting that while the game has significant emotional depth, it may not fully capitalize on it in every instance.
“I loved the different characters, the storyline was unique and beautifully crafted, the art was stunning, and the music made everything all that much emotional.”
“What really captivated me was the relations 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).”
“Beautiful environments, colorful characters, and superb animation, but especially an often heart-wrenching and heartwarming story, backed up by amazing voice acting, make this game an experience to behold.”
“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 lacks any real emotional depth, making it hard to care about the outcome.”
- atmosphere44 mentions
- 66 % positive mentions
- 27 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its stunning visuals, immersive soundtracks, and emotional depth, creating a captivating experience that draws players into its unique world. Many reviewers highlight the harmonious blend of art, music, and storytelling, reminiscent of Studio Ghibli, which enhances the overall mood and engagement. While some note that the gameplay may not be challenging, the rich atmosphere and heartfelt narrative make it a memorable journey.
“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.”
“Forgotton Anne has such incredible atmosphere, story, and art.”
“The interesting and somewhat twee premise is at odds with the darker, more mature atmosphere, and the actual setting isn’t explained at all before you’re off on your adventure.”
“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.”
- replayability26 mentions
- 12 % positive mentions
- 77 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The game offers moderate replayability, primarily through branching paths and multiple endings influenced by player choices, although many decisions have limited impact on the overall outcome. While the story and collectibles encourage revisiting, the lack of significant changes in subsequent playthroughs and the absence of a dialogue skip feature detract from the experience. Overall, players may find value in replaying for achievements or to explore different narrative angles, but the game is not designed for extensive replay.
“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.”
“Mysterious and charming, Forgotten Anne has marvelous world-building that will capture you from the first minute and won't let you go until you finish it, and even then, you'll see yourself dragged into it thanks to its replayability.”
“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.”
“Its not super replayable to be honest - once you've reached one of the endings you don't feel like going back and doing it again as the changes aren't that huge.”
“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.”
- humor20 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its clever writing and memorable characters, with many players enjoying the comedic interactions and unique character designs, such as a talking gun and other quirky figures. The blend of funny and emotional moments, along with a charming soundtrack, enhances the overall experience, making the familiar plot tropes feel fresh and engaging. While some players noted gameplay issues, the humor consistently stands out as a highlight, contributing to a delightful and entertaining atmosphere.
“Great humor, beautiful story, and, of course, stunning visuals.”
“All the characters in the game are well written and quite funny at times, more specifically, there's a gun that is the chief inspector of this world, that made me chuckle several times and he's not the only one.”
“The writing is great at all times, whether in humorous or emotional scenes.”
- character development16 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is described as a mixed experience, with some players appreciating the gradual evolution of characters like Anne, while others feel that certain pivotal moments undermine player choice. The writing and voice acting are praised for their depth, contributing to a compelling narrative, though inconsistencies in character arcs can detract from the overall experience. Overall, the game's charming visuals and world-building complement its character development, making it appealing to fans of rich storytelling.
“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.”
- optimization9 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is generally well-received, with most users reporting no significant performance issues or bugs. While one reviewer noted occasional audio stuttering, the game is praised for its responsive controls and solid performance, particularly on controllers, despite some minor inconsistencies in jump mechanics.
“I didn't encounter any technical problems or bugs; the game is well optimized and the controls are responsive.”
“I've never thought I would play something like that, but this game is different. It has an anima graphics, plot, and performance that are really cool.”
“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.”
“Overall impressions & performance: I didn't encounter any issues with the game from a performance or bug/incident related level.”
- stability8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 88 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is mixed, with some players reporting occasional glitches and bugs, particularly with specific features like the ether bridge. However, many users also note that the gameplay runs smoothly for the most part, with only minor audio and animation issues.
“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.”
“Many glitches.”
“The ether bridge is very buggy.”
“A few audio glitches and animation errors here and there.”
- grinding6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 83 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while there are no life risks or tedious battles, the long, non-skippable cutscenes and some bugged achievements contribute to a sense of frustration. However, some appreciate that the game avoids excessive busy work, allowing for smoother progression through the story. Overall, the grinding can feel tedious, but it also adds depth to the narrative and character motivations.
“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 thanks to long, slow, and non-skippable cutscenes.”
“Unfortunately, it is extremely tedious and frustrating.”
“The story is okay, but the gameplay is tedious.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy is criticized for being intrusive, as players feel pressured to engage with ads to progress without the option to bypass them.
“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.”
Critic Reviews
Forgotton Anne review
A puzzle-platformer that's elevated by its winsome anime aesthetic.
75%Forgotton Anne Review
A gorgeous 2D adventure game with light puzzles, platforming and branching narrative choices. Some design decisions slow the pace down negatively, but the story and the reveal of your decisions have devastating impact.
75%Forgotton Anne Review
Available on PS4 (version tested), Xbox One and PC
90%