The Forgotten City
" Narrative-driven adventure RPG with innovative time loops and rich story but clunky combat "
The Forgotten City Review
The Forgotten City is widely praised for its exceptional storytelling and writing, often described as one of the best narrative experiences in recent years. Players enjoy the immersive Roman setting, well-developed characters, and the clever use of a time-loop mechanic that ties into both story and gameplay. The game offers multiple endings, encouraging exploration and replayability. While generally concise, the game delivers a rewarding mystery and puzzle-solving experience that appeals especially to fans of history, philosophy, and narrative-driven games.
However, some players express disappointment with the canonical ending, finding it poorly executed and detracting from the overall experience. Technical issues such as occasional bugs and minor jankiness in the interface are noted but do not significantly impact enjoyment. The game’s short duration is seen as a positive by some for its tight pacing, but others wish it were longer. Overall, it is recommended for players seeking a thought-provoking, dialogue-heavy adventure with historical depth and strong writing.
Highlights
Players particularly praise the writing quality, intriguing storyline, and rich character development. The time-loop mechanic is lauded for being cleverly integrated, avoiding tedious repetition. The historical Roman setting and attention to detail add to the immersive atmosphere. Gameplay involving dialogue trees, puzzle-solving, and exploration is engaging and well-paced. Visuals are considered good, with ample graphics options allowing play on modest hardware. The game’s multiple endings and mystery elements keep players invested, and the voice acting enhances the narrative experience.
Criticisms
Common criticisms focus on the disappointing canonical ending, which some players feel undermines the story's impact. A few find the philosophical and moral discussions shallow or poorly handled. The combat sections are regarded as clunky and unnecessary by some. Technical issues, including occasional bugs and interface quirks—such as screen dimension problems on alt+tab—are mentioned. The game’s relatively short length may leave some players wanting more, and the pacing can feel slow during certain waiting periods for NPC actions.
Pros
- • Exceptional writing and compelling narrative with multiple endings.
- • Immersive Roman historical setting with rich character development.
- • Innovative time-loop mechanic that avoids tedious repetition.
- • Engaging puzzles and dialogue trees that reward exploration.
- • Good voice acting enhances the storytelling experience.
- • Multiple graphics options allow play on low-end PCs.
- • Well-designed quests with satisfying interactions and depth.
Cons
- • Canonical ending considered poorly executed and disappointing by some.
- • Combat sections are clunky and add little to gameplay.
- • Minor bugs and technical issues occasionally disrupt experience.
- • Philosophical discussions sometimes feel shallow or underdeveloped.
- • Short game length may not satisfy all players.
- • Some pacing issues due to waiting for NPC actions.
- • Facial animations and some visuals considered basic or generic.
Rating Criteria
The Forgotten City is a narrative-driven time loop adventure in ancient Rome. Discover the ruins of an ancient underground city, travel 2000 years into the past, and unravel the mystery of who destroyed it by cleverly exploiting the power to wind back time. The fate of the city is in your hands.
