Forever Ago Review Summary

Emotionally impactful storytelling, beautiful art, and authentic characters shine, but short, shallow story, minimal walking gameplay, and problematic interactions hold it back.

Emotionally impactful storytelling praised: Many reviewers highlight the game's deeply emotional and touching story, often mentioning that it moved them to tears. The narrative is described as well-written, heartfelt, and resonant.

Beautiful art and graphics: The game's visual presentation, including hand-drawn graphics, vibrant colors, and detailed scenery, is frequently commended. Reviewers often call it beautiful and well-crafted.

Well-developed and authentic characters: Characters like Alfred, Milton, and Madi are vivid and non-cliché, each with their own quirks. Dialogue is authentic and contributes to the emotional journey.

Cozy and peaceful experience: Reviewers find the game very cute, cozy, and suitable for unwinding. It encourages slowing down and forming bonds, providing a peaceful and simple experience.

Great soundtrack and music: The musical score and songs are noted for fitting the atmosphere perfectly and enhancing the emotional experience. Many find the soundtrack excellent and melancholic.

Minimal gameplay, mostly walking: Many players describe the experience as lacking meaningful interaction, consisting mainly of walking and reading subtitle while pressing a single button to advance. It feels more like a video than a game.

Interaction system is problematic: Clicking or activating objects is often finicky, requiring precise angles or specific distances. Some items may disappear when stood on, and controller prompts may not appear immediately.

Story is short and shallow: Several reviewers found the narrative brief and lacking depth, with at least one comparing it unfavorably to What Remains of Edith Finch. The plot about a deceased wife is seen as unengaging.

Too basic and boring: Some players found the overall experience very basic and boring, with little to keep them interested.

Photo count can break game: Taking fewer than four photos can trigger a game-breaking stuck state, preventing further progress.

Story-driven narrative experience: Multiple clusters describe the game as a story-driven or narrative-focused experience where the story is central and choices may affect the experience. This is a core characteristic highlighted by many reviewers.

Photography mechanic central to gameplay: The photo-taking mechanic is a key element, with players using a camera to photograph memories at specific locations and fill an album. This mechanic is tied to progression and storytelling.

Walking simulator with limited interaction: Players frequently describe the game as a walking simulator with minimal gameplay, where movement is simple and interaction is limited to pressing buttons or watching scenes. This reflects the game's emphasis on narrative over active gameplay.

Protagonist Alfred and emotional journey: The story follows Alfred, an older man dealing with tragedy, as he travels to places he visited with his lost love, Audrey. This emotional narrative resonates with players.

Interactive movie style: The game is described as an interactive movie with directed scenes and limited interactive moments, blurring the line between game and film. This style appeals to those seeking a cinematic experience.

Strong recommendation for story-focused players: Many reviewers recommend the game for those who enjoy calm, emotional, story-driven experiences where choices matter. It is praised for delivering a well-told narrative that resonates with players seeking personal and heartfelt storytelling.

Positive word-of-mouth encouragement to try: Multiple reviewers encourage giving the game a chance, often suggesting going in blind and asserting that players won't regret it. The overall sentiment is that it's worth experiencing despite any reservations.

Slow-paced exploration and atmosphere praised: The game is recommended for players who enjoy leisurely exploration of beautiful locations, reading diaries, and soaking in the atmosphere. It caters to those who prioritize immersion and narrative over fast-paced action.

Not for gameplay-oriented players: Several reviewers explicitly warn that the game lacks engaging gameplay mechanics and is not suited for players expecting traditional interactive elements. Those seeking a balance of story and gameplay are advised to skip it.

Appeals to fans of similar narrative games: Fans of Life is Strange or Road 96 are highlighted as likely to enjoy this game due to its similar narrative style and emotional depth. The recommendation targets players already familiar with and fond of choice-driven storytelling.

Game completion: 5.0h.

Story completion: 5.0h.

Session length: 4.0h.

Choice-Driven Narrative Roleplayer: Plays for branching narrative and emotional authorship, accepting that the experience may be short and niche. Motivation: To shape a personal narrative through meaningful choices and feel that the resulting story belongs to them. Stance: buy.

Emotional Story Seeker: Focuses on narrative and emotional beats, tolerating limited gameplay and ignoring graphics or content-length expectations. Motivation: To experience a moving, well-crafted story about loss and hope without needing large-scale or mechanically deep gameplay. Stance: buy.

Mature Protagonist Appreciator: Engages with character writing and thematic reflection, valuing the protagonist’s perspective and the game’s unusual charm. Motivation: To explore an uncommon older protagonist and reflect on the tenderness and complexity hidden beneath a grumpy exterior. Stance: buy.

Short game length: Many reviewers note the game can be completed in roughly 3 to 5 hours. Some mention up to 10 hours, but the consensus is that it is a short experience.

Favorable comparison to Life is Strange: Reviewers compare it favorably to Life is Strange, feeling it can rival or surpass it. It is also compared to Road 96 in a positive light.

Annapurna's distinctive style: The publisher Annapurna Interactive is praised for its great style. One reviewer notes that this style keeps them coming back to their games.

Beautiful but empty experience: Some describe the game as an interactive postcard that is beautiful but lacking in substance. It is also compared to Dear Esther as similar but not innovative.

Comparisons to other narrative games: Reviewers compare it to Outer Wilds, Journey, Gorogoa, and What Remains of Edith Finch for storytelling. It is also likened to Road 96 and Season: A Letter to the Future for its visual approach.