Lapse: A Forgotten Future

Lapse: A Forgotten Future is a strategy game set in a post-apocalyptic world beyond 2075, where you lead a nation. With its interesting plot, fantastic game mechanics, compelling graphics, phenomenal soundtrack, and lots of replayability, it offers a unique and immersive experience. However, be prepared for grinding and numerous ads, balanced by plenty of humor and exceptional atmosphere.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Reviews

92%

Audience ScoreBased on 10,000 reviews

story1,240 positive mentions

monetization641 negative mentions

Engaging storyline with multiple endings that keeps players invested.
Simple mechanics that are easy to learn but challenging to master.
Creative integration of ads that do not disrupt gameplay.

Repetitive gameplay can lead to boredom after multiple playthroughs.
Some choices have unclear consequences, making it frustrating at times.
The game can feel overly punishing, with frequent deaths leading to a loss of progress.

story
1,941 mentions
64 % positive mentions
34 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The game's story is widely praised for its depth, complexity, and engaging narrative, with many players noting its ability to keep them hooked through various plot twists and character developments. While the gameplay can be repetitive and slow at times, the unfolding storyline and the impact of player choices add significant intrigue and replayability. Overall, the combination of a well-crafted story and simple mechanics makes it a standout experience in the mobile gaming landscape.
- “With beautiful, simplistic art, intuitive controls, and an incredible storyline brought out in an easy-to-narrate style, Lapse goes down in my books among the best mobile games of all time.”
- “The story is amazing yet mysterious; controls are simple and the graphics are great.”
- “The story in this game is incredible and definitely something worth exploring, especially since the game is free to play.”
- “The gameplay doesn't do service to the storytelling as after a point, it becomes very repetitive, and the intervals between plot points are way too big with so much repetition that I didn't want to play it after 15 years.”
- “The story is not too cryptic, but just cryptic enough to keep you interested.”
- “The story just gets even deeper and vaster; it's impressive!”
monetization
703 mentions
6 % positive mentions
3 % neutral mentions
91 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game is generally well-received, with players appreciating the minimal and non-intrusive nature of ads, which typically appear only after losing or as optional rewards for in-game benefits. Many users noted that the ads are short and can be easily skipped, and the option to pay a small fee to remove ads entirely is seen as reasonable. Overall, the game strikes a balance between providing free content and generating revenue without overwhelming players with advertisements or aggressive microtransactions.
- “There is so much free content and basically no ads unless you ask for one.”
- “The best part is it really is 100% free and totally playable without in-app purchases.”
- “Amazing game, I really like how it has almost no ads and you can access everything in-game without paying.”
- “The ads are a bit annoying but I understand that's how the developer can most easily make their money.”
- “Great game, but the fact that ads pop up more and more frequently as you play really drags it down.”
- “I paid the extra fee to get rid of all ads, yet still the creator showed up in my card deck asking if I wanted to view an ad in exchange for some gift.”
gameplay
462 mentions
52 % positive mentions
44 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by its simplicity and accessibility, often utilizing a choice-based mechanic that keeps players engaged through decision-making and narrative depth. While many players appreciate the intriguing storylines and unique mechanics, some express concerns about repetitiveness and a lack of variety in gameplay options, which can lead to boredom over time. Overall, the game successfully combines straightforward mechanics with compelling storytelling, making it a captivating experience for many, despite some frustrations with its pacing and complexity.
- “Even beyond trying to accomplish all three endings, the randomness of the cards and how decisions affect larger gameplay mean you're not playing the same game twice.”
- “The gameplay is simple yet engaging, and the plot is interesting and keeps your attention.”
- “The gameplay is clean with no tacky animations, just the essential minimalistic design that suits the tone of the game very well.”
- “The gameplay doesn't do service to the storytelling as after a point, it becomes very repetitive, and the intervals between plot points are way too big with so much repetition that I didn't want to play it after 15 years.”
- “Just reaching one ending took hours of repetitive gameplay and there are supposed to be two more endings after this.”
- “The gameplay loop gets old very quickly, but progress is just fast enough to not let it become a problem.”
graphics
174 mentions
54 % positive mentions
44 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are predominantly described as simple, minimalist, and clean, which many players find appealing and easy on the eyes. While some reviewers appreciate the aesthetic and how it complements the gameplay and storyline, others feel that the graphics could be improved for a more engaging experience. Overall, the art style is generally well-received, contributing positively to the game's atmosphere and user interface.
- “The graphics are simple, but clean, smooth, and professional looking.”
- “Absolutely brilliant, it really gets you with its atmosphere, the graphics are simple but beautiful, and the creator is incredibly down to earth.”
- “The graphics, animations, and storyline are all top notch.”
- “The graphics are too simple for my taste, but that's not the main issue.”
- “This game is disturbingly bad and long except for its art style.”
- “It's nothing really exciting or engaging in terms of gameplay and especially not in terms of graphics.”
humor
103 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players enjoying its clever fourth-wall breaks, funny character interactions, and humorous references throughout the gameplay. Many reviews highlight the developer's comedic presence as a unique and entertaining aspect, contributing to the game's overall charm and addictiveness. Overall, the blend of dark humor, witty dialogue, and unexpected comedic moments makes for a delightful experience that keeps players engaged and laughing.
- “Very intuitive UI and the usual experience-ruining ad rewards feel more like humorous fourth-wall breakages than most games.”
- “The creator even asks you himself if you want to watch them; it's pretty funny compared to other games that'll jam it down your throat.”
- “A hilarious and very engaging game.”
music
47 mentions
30 % positive mentions
64 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its atmospheric qualities and ability to enhance the overall experience, while others find it repetitive, monotonous, or mismatched with the game's theme. Many users express a desire for a more varied soundtrack, suggesting that the current music can feel outdated or overly ominous. Overall, while the music contributes positively to the game's ambiance for some, it leaves others wanting more diversity and alignment with the game's tone.
- “The music really fits well with the theme.”
- “Coupled with the pleasant soundtrack, this game is a work of art.”
- “The music is atmospheric, it just makes me feel like I am actually who I'm playing as.”
- “There is one soundtrack and it just repeats, very repetitive.”
- “The music, however, doesn't do justice to how well the game is made; I feel like I'm playing a tribal flash game.”
- “I wish there were an option to change the music to something less dreary.”
replayability
39 mentions
77 % positive mentions
15 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, with many players enjoying the multiple endings and engaging storylines that encourage repeated playthroughs. However, some users noted that the game can become repetitive over time, which may diminish its appeal for extended sessions. Despite this, the combination of simple mechanics and strategic decision-making contributes to a generally positive perception of its replay value.
- “This game is incredibly fun with excellent replay value.”
- “Almost infinite replayability, and a lot of strategy involved.”
- “The story is ever changing and interesting, and with a load of replayability.”
- “However, I think it does lack some replayability as it can really get repetitive and boring after a while.”
- “It is replayable and has multiple endings depending on your decisions.”
- “High replayable value.”
grinding
28 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be quite tedious and time-consuming, often leading to frustration as they attempt to unlock various endings and achievements. While some appreciate the unique gameplay mechanics and story, many express that the repetitive nature of grinding detracts from the overall experience, making it feel rigid and occasionally boring. Despite these criticisms, some players still enjoy the game for its depth and replayability, suggesting that it can be fun if one is willing to endure the grind.
- “I got one ending and it seems pretty tedious to get the others - what can I say, 75 years is a pretty long time to swipe (and I also believe that some cards don't have correct stat changes, which adds to the frustration).”
- “But the game mechanics are grindy to the extreme.”
- “Boring, extremely tedious.”
atmosphere
27 mentions
85 % positive mentions
4 % neutral mentions
11 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive and eerie qualities, effectively created through simple graphics and gameplay mechanics. Players appreciate how their choices impact the atmosphere, enhancing the sense of tension and emotional engagement. Overall, the combination of a gripping storyline, dark backstory, and atmospheric music contributes to a unique and captivating experience.
- “The pacing of the story felt satisfying, the atmosphere (the events and its consequences) felt real, the confusion remained throughout all the chaos, and all of those have been achieved with very simple and repeated game mechanics.”
- “It makes the player feel guilt in the case of questionable decisions in the eye of the public, it makes the players stand on their toes, not knowing what card could decide their fate, and the most impressive aspect in my view is the game's ability to immerse the player so deeply that it creates its own atmosphere developed by the players' decisions.”
- “Very good, simple and catchy game, love the design and mysterious atmosphere...10/10 I must say...”
- “Dark backstory, and the whole game has an eerie atmosphere.”
- “It manages to create a certain futuristic and, to be honest, kind of creepy atmosphere with just simple graphics and gameplay.”
- “Very fun, just like Reigns, but the post-apocalyptic atmosphere gives it a special charm.”
stability
11 mentions
27 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
73 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews; while some players report a smooth experience with no glitches or crashes, others have encountered significant issues, particularly during online play, leading to frequent crashes and freezes. Overall, the game's stability appears inconsistent, with some users enjoying a bug-free experience while others express frustration over its instability.
- “No glitches whatsoever.”
- “So far no bugs, no glitches, everything works fine and I'm loving the game.”
- “Great gameplay, wonderful story, many characters, no glitches, barely any ads for everyone.”
- “However, whenever you play online, the game crashes or just freezes.”
- “Love the concept and choice making, but way too buggy; too many crashes after you die and begin again. Devs, you need to fix this.”
- “If I could write a 0-star review, I would. This game doesn't work, keeps crashing even though I have mediocre internet, and whenever I try to touch something, it freezes.”
optimization
6 mentions
50 % positive mentions
17 % neutral mentions
33 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is generally praised, with many users reporting smooth performance and well-designed mechanics. However, some players have encountered serious optimization issues, suggesting that performance may vary depending on the device used.
- “The game is really in-depth and runs smoothly, 10 out of 10.”
- “It runs smoothly and is very well designed.”
- “Very innovative as well as sleek and optimized.”
- “And there are serious optimization problems that should be avoided!”
- “Perhaps it's not optimized for my device?”
emotional
5 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players find the game emotionally engaging, as it prompts them to reflect on trust and guilt in their interactions with NPCs. The heartfelt effort of the creator is appreciated, contributing to a wholesome experience despite the presence of ads. Overall, the game is described as fun and addictive, with choices that resonate deeply on an emotional level.
- “It made me question who to trust and made me feel super guilty for saying no to NPCs even though I'm never like that.”
- “It's real good, the choices are deep and emotional.”
- “Fun, addicting, emotionally tugging.”
character development
3 mentions
67 % positive mentions
-67 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its amazing storyline and strong character development, making it a top choice for players seeking depth in narrative. However, some users expressed a preference for the older character design.
- “Amazing storyline and character development.”
- “If you are looking for a game with a great story and character development, this is the game.”
- “I preferred the old character design.”
- “The character development feels shallow and lacks depth.”
- “I was disappointed with how the characters evolved throughout the story.”