I, the Forgotten One
- June 22, 2023
- Hosted Games
Get on SteamIn "I, the Forgotten One," become the late king's disinherited child, shaped into a weapon after being sent away to war. Now, you must restore peace to a kingdom in turmoil and deal with your inner despair. Choose your path as a man or woman, and specialize in different aspects of medieval warfare in this 450,000-word interactive novel. Your physicality impacts the world's perceptions, offering a rich, immersive experience.
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Reviews
- The writing is exceptional, providing a deeply engaging narrative that explores dark themes such as war and PTSD.
- The characters are well-developed and evoke strong emotional responses, making players genuinely care about their fates.
- The game offers meaningful choices that impact the story, allowing for a sense of agency despite its linear structure.
- The protagonist's constant self-pity can become tiresome, detracting from the overall experience.
- Some players may find the romance options limited, particularly the lack of lesbian romance routes.
- There are instances of bugs and inconsistencies in the narrative, which can disrupt immersion.
- story218 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The story is a dark and gripping narrative set in a medieval world, exploring themes of ambition, trauma, and the brutal realities of war. While many reviewers praised its compelling characters and emotional depth, some criticized its linearity and lack of meaningful player agency, feeling that choices often felt superficial. Overall, it is regarded as a well-written and immersive experience, particularly for those interested in complex, mature storytelling, despite some narrative weaknesses.
“At first glance, this interactive novel presents itself as a well-written story of ambition, politics, and warfare in medieval times.”
“The characters, story, and the writing that really drives home the internalized logic that trauma can bring was done incredibly well, with all of the respect that such a heavy topic to cover deserves.”
“It’s got a beautifully structured storyline that tackles multiple scenarios in such precise detail about war and the misery that comes with it with wonderful storytelling; how can you not be obsessed!”
“The storyline with the mother turning against him feels weak and poorly justified, almost like it was added just to push the plot forward.”
“While I did get some enjoyment out of this game, I unfortunately can't quite recommend it. While there were many choices regarding combat tactics and strategy that seemed at least somewhat meaningful, I felt much more like a passenger than a driver of the main character's personal story.”
“I felt like I didn't have much control over the story, and I felt like I was forced into following the path that the author pre-determined.”
- gameplay18 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The gameplay is praised for its engaging battle mechanics and strategic depth, providing a satisfying experience, especially upon replay. However, the inclusion of a "respect" mechanic tied to unlikable characters detracts from the overall enjoyment, suggesting a missed opportunity for more nuanced character development and relationships. Overall, the mechanics are compelling and maintain player interest throughout the story.
“Good story, nice battle system/mechanics, and plenty of nice characters.”
“The mechanics are enjoyable, and the characters have the right amount of depth for the length of the book.”
“Gameplay-wise, I really enjoyed the strategy aspect (it would almost be fun, if I didn't always have in mind how terrible being in charge of a war is).”
“However, both of the characters that are influenced by this 'respect' mechanic happen to be terrible people, and this is quickly shown in the beginning of the story.”
“It makes me wonder why the author even bothered to put in this mechanic.”
“Instead, the author could have fleshed out the mechanics for other, actually likable, characters - perhaps creating more nuanced approaches for the romances or more nuances for the relationship with the sister.”
- emotional14 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its deep emotional engagement, with players feeling that their choices significantly impact the narrative. The portrayal of the marshal's struggles is described as both visceral and heartbreaking, leading to moments of genuine tears and reflection. Overall, the blend of dark themes with lighter, heartfelt moments creates a unique and compelling emotional experience that resonates strongly with players.
“The marshal's angst is so visceral and heartbreaking.”
“It's easily the most beautiful and heart-wrenching game I've played in a long time, and I cried multiple times towards the end.”
“It's dark, it's thrilling, it's absolutely heartbreaking and heartwarming all at the same time, and if that doesn’t make it one of the best, then I don’t know what will.”
- replayability6 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
Players find the game highly replayable due to its meaningful choices and the ability to alter character fates, enhancing the overall experience. Many express excitement for a sequel, indicating that the game's replay value contributes significantly to its appeal.
“All in all, a worthy buy, and I'm excited for the sequel. That being said, don't let my hours on this game fool you; I accidentally left it open. The game seems to be fairly replayable and doesn't force characters to stay alive if you choose to have them killed.”
“Don't be fooled though, it still has tons of meaningful choices and replay value.”
“I like how replayable it is.”
“All in all, a worthy buy, and I'm excited for the sequel. That being said, don't let my hours on this game fool you; I accidentally left it open. Although the game seems to be fairly replayable and doesn't force characters to stay alive if you choose to have them killed.”
- graphics4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are noted for their immersive and gritty realism, effectively simulating the harsh realities of being a medieval general. While the visual presentation may not rely on traditional tactical game aesthetics, the graphic descriptions of violence and serious themes contribute to a more profound narrative experience. Players should be prepared for the intense and sometimes gruesome imagery that accompanies the gameplay.
“My favorite thing about this game was that, in some ways, it is a better simulator of what it was really like to be a medieval general than those tactical games with graphics where you have a clear aerial view of your troops, can constantly click to reposition the troops, and get frequent updates on your own and the enemy casualties.”
“As expected with this game, there's a lot of graphic descriptions of gruesome elements, serious themes are treated, and thus you must be aware of what you are getting yourself into.”
“The graphics in this game are quite underwhelming, lacking the detail and polish expected from modern titles.”
“I found the visual style to be outdated and not engaging, which detracted from the overall experience.”
“The character models and environments feel flat and uninspired, making it hard to immerse myself in the game.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is generally praised for its depth and engagement, despite some critiques regarding the simplicity of character and scenery descriptions. The focus on violence and the protagonist's mental struggles contributes significantly to the overall ambiance, enhancing the game's thematic exploration and emotional impact.
“There's plenty of specific praise that other reviews discuss, great writing, characterization, pacing, interesting and relatively unexplored themes for a CYOA game, and overall an amazing atmosphere as well as half a dozen other things I could say in the game's favor.”
“The descriptions of things like characters' features, scenery, and atmosphere were very bare-bones, but the author spent quite some time describing the violence and developing the main character's mental struggle, since I believe that's the ideological focus of the story.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as varied, with some players finding it flat or grim, while others appreciate it enough to chuckle. Overall, the comedic elements may not resonate with everyone, leading to mixed reactions.
- monetization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Reviewers express concern that the monetization strategy is misleading, as the game is marketed without disclosing that it is only part one of an incomplete story. This lack of transparency has led to frustration among players who feel they are not getting the full experience for their investment.
“The monetization strategy feels exploitative, as it pushes players to spend money to enjoy the full experience.”
“It's frustrating that essential content is locked behind paywalls, making it hard to progress without spending extra.”
“The game constantly bombards you with ads and offers, which detracts from the overall enjoyment and immersion.”
