The Forgotten City

An intriguing mystery adventure with outstanding writing and performances.

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In "The Forgotten City," travel back to a cursed Roman city where everyone dies if one person sins. To solve the mystery and save the city, players can investigate characters, exploit a time loop, and make moral choices. The game features an open world with historically accurate art, costumes, and customs, and offers multiple endings based on players' decisions. Players can customize their character's gender, origin, and backstory.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Reviews

82%

Audience ScoreBased on 5,554 reviews

story1,660 positive mentions

optimization28 negative mentions

Engaging and intricate story with multiple endings that keeps players invested.
Well-developed characters with meaningful dialogue and interactions.
Unique time loop mechanic that enhances exploration and problem-solving.

Short gameplay length, which may leave some players wanting more.
Some technical issues, including minor bugs and awkward character animations.
Combat mechanics feel underdeveloped and can detract from the overall experience.

story
3,293 mentions
50 % positive mentions
48 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The story of "The Forgotten City" is widely praised for its engaging narrative, intricate plot twists, and well-developed characters, drawing players into a rich tapestry of ancient Roman mythology and moral dilemmas. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to weave multiple storylines together, allowing for various endings based on player choices, which enhances replayability and immersion. Despite some critiques regarding pacing and predictability, the overall consensus is that the storytelling is a standout feature, making it a must-play for fans of narrative-driven games.
- “The intricate story and depth of characters had me addicted from the moment I started playing.”
- “The story is engaging and all the implications and plots are very well connected.”
- “This game is a wonder of amazing storytelling and gameplay.”
- “The story loses steam fast past the mid-point.”
- “The writing overall is far from being impressive: ton of cringe-inducing dialogue (especially towards the end) and a lack of nuance in dialogue choices, characters and how the story unfolds.”
- “The story is fine, but having to re-do things by going back to the portal over and over just isn't my thing.”
gameplay
865 mentions
38 % positive mentions
57 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "The Forgotten City" is primarily dialogue-driven, focusing on exploration, character interactions, and puzzle-solving, with a unique time-loop mechanic that enhances the narrative experience. While some players found the mechanics simple and occasionally clunky, the overall design allows for a satisfying blend of storytelling and player agency, making it engaging despite its limitations. The game is praised for its intriguing plot and character depth, though it may not appeal to those seeking action-oriented gameplay.
- “The time-loop mechanic adds depth to the exploration, encouraging players to experiment with choices and observe the consequences.”
- “The gameplay revolves around exploration, dialogue, and solving intricate puzzles.”
- “The game makes excellent use of its time-loop mechanic and the game world is just the right size with just the right amount of characters in it to make the length of the experience engaging the whole time.”
- “The gameplay is mostly walking around, talking to people, and picking things up.”
- “The gameplay has some flaws and annoyances, like invisible walls everywhere to block you from going where they don't want you to go and an annoying jump task that requires repeated attempts to land on a tiny target.”
- “The gameplay could be called subpar if you're expecting something akin to Skyrim, but if you go in expecting a great story, interesting characters that you care for, and a beautiful world to explore, then look no further.”
graphics
416 mentions
56 % positive mentions
41 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising the beautiful art style and immersive environments, particularly the ancient Roman aesthetic. While some players noted minor graphical issues and a lack of detail compared to AAA titles, the overall consensus is that the visuals are impressive for an indie game developed by a small team. Despite some technical shortcomings, the graphics contribute positively to the storytelling and atmosphere, making the game visually appealing and engaging.
- “Even though the game has been made by a small indie team, the visuals are quite beautiful and the sandbox you're placed in simply begs to be explored.”
- “The graphics are gorgeous and so vivid, voice acting on point, and story alluring.”
- “The graphics, voice acting, and even UX are all awesome!”
- “The only real problem with this game, however, is graphical in nature.”
- “The graphics aren't cutting edge, and some of the facial animations have a 'Mass Effect: Andromeda' feel.”
- “I could recommend it for maybe $15 or less, but honestly it suffers from too many major issues to recommend at the asking price unless you really love the ancient Roman aesthetic.”
music
139 mentions
63 % positive mentions
35 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its atmospheric and immersive qualities, effectively enhancing the overall experience with haunting melodies that complement the visuals and narrative. Many reviewers noted that the soundtrack is beautifully crafted, fitting well with the game's ancient Roman setting and contributing to the emotional depth of the story. However, some players mentioned that the music can become repetitive over time, though it remains a significant highlight of the gameplay.
- “The atmospheric design, coupled with a haunting and evocative soundtrack, creates an ambiance that is both enchanting and eerie.”
- “A captivating video game that flawlessly blends an intriguing story, ingenious game mechanics, superb voice acting, and a mesmerizing soundtrack.”
- “The beautiful visuals, music, and ambience complement the story wonderfully, and it is clear from the get-go that a great deal of care has been taken to create a very charming and rich world.”
- “Only soundtrack and digital art DLCs are available.”
- “Serves no purpose, not even so much for the lore as for the historical background... finally, music is alright, orchestral and rather discreet, nothing special there.”
- “The forgettable soundtrack is the only thing I would knock the game for.”
atmosphere
104 mentions
68 % positive mentions
29 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive qualities, combining stunning visuals, a haunting soundtrack, and well-developed characters to create a captivating experience. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke a sense of mystery and enchantment, often comparing it to classic narratives and emphasizing its philosophical undertones. Despite some technical limitations, the overall ambiance and storytelling are considered exceptional, making it a standout feature of the game.
- “The atmospheric design, coupled with a haunting and evocative soundtrack, creates an ambiance that is both enchanting and eerie.”
- “The atmosphere is breathtaking.”
- “The forgotten city truly sets itself apart with clever storytelling and an immersive atmosphere.”
- “Although short, this game is so full of life, from the atmosphere to characters who, although they don't have many lines, are fully fleshed out with their own wants, fears, and follies.”
- “Perhaps the biggest problem of the game is attachment; the player gets attached to everyone in this city only to repeat a cycle of coming back and no one will remember you. While you don't have to grind by talking to every single person over and over again, it does ruin the atmosphere since, while you remember your experiences with these people, they know nothing.”
- “The action and horror parts were also good and not too excessive for someone who generally doesn't like extended horror; I can do moments and short sequences, but I personally dislike a consistent horrific atmosphere for long periods.”
emotional
89 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised, with many players highlighting its touching and heartfelt storytelling that elicits strong feelings, including joy and sadness. The canon ending, in particular, is noted for its emotional depth, providing a satisfying resolution that resonates with players and enhances their connection to the characters. Despite some critiques regarding voice acting and animation, the overall narrative is described as masterful, thought-provoking, and capable of making players feel more human and invested in the story.
- “Truly a masterful work of art -- the canon ending made me want to cry.”
- “The emotional catharsis I got from this game was unreal.”
- “The canon ending is so emotionally gratifying; I felt a wonderful sense of connection to the world and its denizens (and happy cried during the closing).”
replayability
81 mentions
33 % positive mentions
58 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The game features multiple endings and achievements, providing a decent level of replayability, particularly for those interested in exploring different narrative paths. However, many players note that once all endings are discovered, the incentive to replay diminishes significantly due to the game's short length and linear nature. Overall, while it offers an enjoyable experience, the replay value is often considered limited after the initial playthroughs.
- “With 4 endings plus a ton of different achievements related to different ways to get to the endings, it has replayability too.”
- “The game has multiple endings to explore and offers a high replay value without becoming boring.”
- “The option of selecting your character’s background to influence your play style, and the inclusion of four different endings, gives it high replay value.”
- “The nature of the game doesn't really allow for much replayability, so within the day I purchased this game, it has been designated a spot to sit on my proverbial shelf without ever being loaded up again.”
- “As with this kind of games, replayability, after getting the canon ending, is practically non-existent, as would be re-reading a book; you know all the plot twists and how the story unfolds.”
- “The game itself is not particularly long and has pretty much zero replayability, so some may find the asking price a bit steep.”
optimization
67 mentions
33 % positive mentions
25 % neutral mentions
42 % negative mentions
The optimization of "The Forgotten City" has received mixed reviews, with many players experiencing stuttering, frame rate drops, and occasional glitches, particularly at higher settings. While some found the performance acceptable after adjusting graphics settings, others noted significant issues that detracted from the overall experience. Despite these optimization challenges, the game's strong narrative and voice acting were frequently praised, suggesting that the engaging content may outweigh the technical shortcomings for some players.
- “There's a childish glee in how this gem combines groundhog day optimization with antique Roman and Greek mythology and a cast of characters and their main place of stay, that you'll really get to know - comparable to the investigated ship in Obra Dinn.”
- “Not only is the game complex, but the game's performance was nearly flawless, and the music was simultaneously grand and ominous in setting the tone.”
- “Great story, a lot of plot twists, good graphics and optimization, overall style, and the world is very immersive.”
- “This game is not good and although the story is excellent and the characters well-developed, I can't excuse the bad optimization of the game.”
- “The downsides: the game is not the best optimized, and though I actually fit comfortably at the 'recommended' side of the system requirements, I still experienced a lot of stuttering, lag, and frame-rate drops.”
- “Runs like trash on all settings with constant stuttering.”
humor
61 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mix of clever writing, quirky moments, and self-aware jokes, often blending dark humor with lightheartedness. While some players found the humor to be corny or overly reliant on pop-culture references, many appreciated the witty dialogue and funny scenarios that emerged from gameplay choices. Overall, the humor adds a unique charm to the experience, making it both entertaining and engaging, despite occasional missteps.
- “You can choose to do hilarious things and enjoy the outcome of your choices.”
- “The writing in itself is majestic: it's funny, clever, witty, and above all, it helps to create a bond of familiarity with characters.”
- “The dialogue is well-written, there's some humor sprinkled in without things getting overly silly.”
grinding
59 mentions
8 % positive mentions
12 % neutral mentions
80 % negative mentions
Overall, reviews indicate that while some players found certain sections of the game to be tedious, particularly during combat or repetitive dialogue, the innovative time loop mechanics and design choices effectively minimize grinding. Many appreciated the clever systems in place that allow for quicker progression and keep the experience engaging, making the game feel less grindy despite the potential for repetition. The narrative-driven focus and well-paced gameplay generally outweigh the occasional tedium, leading to a satisfying experience.
- “There is no grinding, no meaningless slaying... all you do is purely for the progression of the story, your story, your goal, your morality, for *them*.”
- “Not grindy, but there is a fair bit of story to uncover.”
- “Super solid game, the story is really interesting, and they create ways to make sure that redoing a loop isn't tedious, but new.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “It wasn't difficult at all, but there were a couple of sections that involved plinking away at dozens of enemies from room to room, and it got tedious fast.”
- “While I initially really enjoyed discovering the city and the inhabitants, it really started to feel tedious when I had to repeat processes or backtrack through areas to try and find missing conversation and set pieces.”
stability
41 mentions
7 % positive mentions
2 % neutral mentions
90 % negative mentions
The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting various bugs and glitches, including mouse lag, freezing, and issues with save files. While some found these problems frustrating, others felt they were minor and did not significantly detract from the overall enjoyment of the game. Overall, players noted that despite its bugginess, the game remains engaging and worth playing, especially with ongoing developer support for fixes.
- “No glitches.”
- “Gameplay is fluid, intuitive, and most importantly, bug-free.”
- “It also runs great on my older hardware, with everything turned up to full.”
- “Mouse lag issues and glitches with saves took all the fun out of it.”
- “I am enjoying the game quite a bit, but it freezes constantly, sometimes requiring a reset of my machine.”
- “Problem is, even though I installed this game on my SSD and mind you, I have a powerful laptop with a 2070 and 32GB of RAM, whilst loading visual assets and new areas, the game stutters immensely and even freezes at times.”
character development
15 mentions
60 % positive mentions
20 % neutral mentions
20 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is widely praised for its depth and engagement, with players noting the strong narrative that allows for individual character arcs and believable interactions. The character design is also highlighted as beautiful and integral to the gameplay, enhancing the emotional connection players feel. However, some critiques mention a lack of development in certain storylines and a limited number of endings, suggesting that while character development is a strong point, it may not be consistent across all aspects of the game.
- “Great character development, great story.”
- “Short story, no real character development, and the 'multiple endings,' well... 4 possible endings isn't what I'd call multiple.”
- “The dynamics of character development that each person goes through while you talk to them and complete (or try to, at least) their quests is genius, and I never saw a point where I had to think, 'nah, that person wouldn't do that,' because everything matched up, from motives to embellishments; each character was believable enough to keep me wanting more.”
- “The narrative also deviates from its overarching elements in favor of individual events and a lot of character development.”
monetization
3 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The monetization of the game is perceived as misleading, with users feeling that the quality does not match the expectations set by advertisements. However, despite the initial disappointment, players acknowledge that the game is well-developed and polished, indicating it is not merely a cash grab.
- “Kind of the same as getting a soggy Big Mac while expecting what they show in ads.”
- “Nothing about the advertising, at least at face value, is indicative of the game's low quality, and that's honestly the saddest part.”
- “This is not just some cash grab; it is very well developed and polished in both a qualitative and quantitative way.”