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CRITIK

The Forgotten City

Name: Comprehensive Review and Analysis of The Forgotten City
Item: The Forgotten City
Author: Critik Editorial Team

2021

GenresFantasy, Adventure, Indie, Action, RPG, Drama, Single Player, First Person Perspective

AvailableJul 28, 2021

PlatformXbox One, PC, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X

DeveloperModern Storyteller

Overview

The Forgotten City is a mystery adventure game of exploration and deduction, and a re-imagining of the critically acclaimed mod of the same name. Combat is an option, but violence will only get you so far. Only by questioning an intertwined community of colorful characters, cleverly exploiting the time loop, and making difficult moral choices can you hope to solve this epic mystery. Here, your decisions matter. The fate of the city is in your hands.

Elsewhere

7.9

Game analysis

Critik Scorecard

EXPAND ALL

Story and Narrative

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY

Story Score

Positive (80-100)

100%

Mixed (50-79)

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.

The opinions of the critics regarding the story of The Forgotten City are overwhelmingly positive. The majority of the critics praised the narrative, describing it as captivating, clever, well-written, and filled with twists and turns. Pure Xbox commends the game for being a narrative-driven adventure with choices, interwoven plotlines, and intrigue. TheGamer highlights the fascinating, intelligent, and coherent story, as well as the moral, mythological, and philosophical musings it presents. XboxAddict mentions the memorable narrative, multiple endings, and the focus on the time loop and the unbreakable Golden Rule. IGN emphasizes the morally provocative and brain-teasing moral quandaries explored in the story. TheXboxHub describes the story as clever, inventive, and well-written, while ZTGD praises its mystery and rewarding experience. Guardian mentions the complex and twisty nature of the story, blending mysticism, morality, and Roman skulduggery. COGconnected and GameSpew both praise the clever and intriguing narrative, with GameSpew specifically highlighting its captivating nature and driving force towards the true ending. Gaming Age praises the tightly knit and well-crafted plot with multiple mysteries to uncover, and AusGamers commends the game for its fascinating and thought-provoking journey into morality, religion, and myth. While the majority of the critics had positive opinions about the story, there were no explicit negative opinions mentioned in the given reviews. However, Slant Magazine does mention that the writing sacrifices character development for clarity of message, suggesting that there may be room for improvement in character development. Overall, the critics' consensus is that the story of The Forgotten City is a major strength of the game. It is praised for its captivating, clever, and well-written narrative, filled with twists and turns that keep players engaged. The exploration of moral quandaries, time travel, and the concept of the Golden Rule are mentioned as thought-provoking and intellectually stimulating aspects of the story. The positive opinions from various critics, such as TheGamer, IGN, and WellPlayed, further support the notion that the story is a standout feature of The Forgotten City. However, it is worth noting that the lack of negative opinions in the given reviews suggests a strong consensus among critics regarding the quality of the story.

TL;DR

story and narrative

Critics overwhelmingly praise The Forgotten City for its captivating, clever, and well-written narrative filled with twists and turns. The game's exploration of moral dilemmas, time travel, and the Golden Rule is lauded as thought-provoking and intellectually stimulating. While some critics mention limited character development, the overall consensus is that the story is a major strength, with no explicit negative opinions found among reviews.

Gameplay Mechanics

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY

Gameplay Score

Positive (80-100)

61%

Mixed (50-79)

39%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.

The gameplay of The Forgotten City has received generally positive feedback from critics. Many reviewers praised the game's use of the time loop mechanic, which allows players to make decisions and use knowledge from previous loops to change outcomes. This mechanic is seen as a unique and engaging aspect of the gameplay, adding depth to the investigation and puzzle-solving elements. Critics like Pure Xbox, XboxAddict, and Guardian specifically highlighted the effectiveness of the time loop mechanic in shaping the gameplay experience. The intricate puzzle design and multiple solutions were also commended by TheGamer, emphasizing the rewards for thorough exploration and slow, measured gameplay. The inclusion of dialogue, exploration, and basic platforming elements were mentioned by IGN and other critics, contributing to the overall positive sentiment towards the gameplay. However, there were some criticisms regarding certain aspects of the gameplay. Some critics, such as Push Square and Stevivor, expressed disappointment with the combat mechanics, describing them as poor, clunky, and lacking complexity. The combat was seen as a weaker aspect of the gameplay that occasionally disrupted the narrative flow. Additionally, the controls for combat were criticized for being sluggish and weighty. Some critics, like AusGamers and PC Invasion, also mentioned that the combat was not engaging. Another criticism was directed towards the zipline mechanics, with Stevivor noting that they were clunky and slow. These negative aspects of the gameplay, particularly the combat, were mentioned by multiple critics and contributed to a less favorable perception of those specific elements. Overall, the consensus among critics is that The Forgotten City offers a captivating gameplay experience with its time loop narrative structure, puzzle-solving mechanics, and non-linear storytelling. The positive aspects of the gameplay, such as the effective use of the time loop mechanic, intricate puzzles, and engaging dialogue, were highlighted by multiple reviewers. The game's emphasis on exploration, problem-solving, and impactful choices also received praise. However, the negative aspects, including the combat mechanics and zipline controls, were mentioned by several critics as areas that could have been improved. Despite these criticisms, the overall sentiment towards the gameplay of The Forgotten City remains largely positive, with the game being commended for its unique and immersive gameplay elements.

TL;DR

gameplay mechanics

Critics praise The Forgotten City for its innovative time loop mechanic, intricate puzzles, and engaging storytelling. However, some criticize the clunky combat and zipline controls, which detract from an otherwise captivating gameplay experience.

Graphics and Visual Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS

Visual Score

Positive (80-100)

67%

Mixed (50-79)

33%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of The Forgotten City are generally positive. Many critics praise the game's visuals, describing them as stunning, detailed, and captivating. The city's architecture, which is a mix of Roman, Greek, Egyptian, and Sumerian styles, is particularly highlighted for its accuracy and authenticity. Critics like TheGamer and ZTGD specifically mention the visually impressive depiction of the Roman city, with attention to historical accuracy and detail. The environments are often described as beautifully authentic, with well-designed character models and great lighting, as noted by TheXboxHub and AusGamers. The attention to detail and the immersive experience created by the visuals are also commended by Stevivor and The Indie Game Website. However, there are some criticisms regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of The Forgotten City. Several critics mention technical flaws and occasional glitches that detract from the overall visual experience. Push Square points out issues such as scenery not spawning properly and hitches and pauses during gameplay. Guardian and GameSpew note occasional texture pop-ins, loading issues, and mixed quality character models. Facial animations and lip syncing are also mentioned as areas for improvement, as noted by XboxAddict and Guardian. GamingTrend specifically criticizes the facial animations, frame rate fluctuations, and crashes. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that The Forgotten City has visually appealing graphics and a well-designed city. The attention to historical accuracy and detail in the architecture and culture of the Roman city is widely praised. The game's visuals are described as stunning, detailed, and immersive. However, there are some technical flaws and issues with character models and facial animations that need improvement. Despite these criticisms, the overall sentiment is positive, with the visuals contributing to the atmospheric and captivating experience of The Forgotten City.

TL;DR

graphics and visual design

Critics generally praise The Forgotten City for its stunning and detailed visuals, particularly highlighting the accurate depiction of the Roman city's architecture and immersive environments. However, some critics point out technical flaws like glitches and texture pop-ins, as well as issues with facial animations. Overall, while the game's graphics are visually appealing and contribute to its immersive experience, there are areas that need improvement according to critics.

Music and Sound Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN

Sound Score

Positive (80-100)

93%

Mixed (50-79)

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.

The sound design and music of The Forgotten City received overwhelmingly positive feedback from the majority of critics. XboxAddict commends the professional voice acting and describes the orchestral score as a delight to listen to. TheXboxHub praises the atmospheric soundtrack and outstanding voice acting, stating that it enhances the overall experience. Noisy Pixel highlights the soft orchestral music that echoes the tone of the game, balancing the dialogue-heavy gameplay. They also mention the powerful and passionate voice acting, with every character having great depth and personality. WellPlayed emphasizes the ability of the sound design and music to sell the ever-changing atmosphere of the game, with ambient choruses and NPC interactions enhancing the immersive experience. While the overall sentiment towards the sound design and music is positive, there are a few criticisms mentioned by some critics. Guardian mentions that facial animations occasionally detract from the experience, which suggests a slight inconsistency in the visual and audio synchronization. GameCritics points out that English accents on Latin-speaking characters can be distracting, indicating a potential mismatch between the voice acting and the game's setting. Softpedia mentions that while the voice acting is well done and the dialogues feel natural, there are some exceptions, suggesting occasional inconsistencies in the performances. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the sound design and music of The Forgotten City are of high quality. The voice acting is consistently praised for being outstanding, stellar, and well-performed, with the ability to bring the characters to life and make their stories believable. The orchestral score is described as delightful, atmospheric, and tonally cohesive. The sound design, including ambient sounds and NPC interactions, is considered immersive and enhancing of the overall experience. While there are a few minor criticisms regarding facial animations and accents, these do not significantly detract from the overall positive reception of the sound design and music in The Forgotten City.

TL;DR

music and sound design

Critics overwhelmingly praise The Forgotten City's sound design and music, highlighting professional voice acting, delightful orchestral score, and immersive atmosphere. Some minor criticisms include occasional inconsistencies in facial animations and accents, but overall, the high-quality sound design and music enhance the game's immersive experience, bringing characters to life and complementing the narrative effectively.

Voice Acting

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VOICE ACTING

Acting Score

Positive (80-100)

83%

Mixed (50-79)

17%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the voice acting.

The voice acting in The Forgotten City has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from the majority of critics. Many critics, such as XboxAddict, TheXboxHub, ZTGD, Guardian, COGconnected, GameSpew, Softpedia, AusGamers, Game Informer, GameCritics, Noisy Pixel, PC Gamer, Player 2, The Indie Game Website, Wccftech, WellPlayed, Nintendo Life, and NintendoWorldReport, praised the voice acting, describing it as outstanding, stellar, exceptional, powerful, passionate, well-acted, and well-done. These critics highlight the top-notch performances and the depth and believability the voice actors bring to their characters. The voice acting is said to enhance the enjoyment of interacting with the residents and adds depth to the overall experience of the game. However, a few critics, such as IGN and PC Invasion, mentioned that while the voice acting was decent and mostly of high quality, there were instances where the facial animations appeared stiff and occasionally hilarious. This criticism suggests that there may be some inconsistencies in the presentation of the characters, potentially affecting the immersion of the players. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the voice acting in The Forgotten City is of very good quality. The positive feedback from the majority of the critics outweighs the minor criticisms regarding facial animations. The exceptional performances, well-acted characters, and the way the voice acting enhances the believability of the characters and their stories contribute to the immersive experience of the game. The voice acting is considered one of the game's strengths, adding depth and personality to the memorable characters and their interactions.

TL;DR

voice acting

Critics rave about the outstanding voice acting in The Forgotten City, praising it as exceptional, powerful, and well-acted. While a few critics noted stiff facial animations, the majority agree that the performances enhance player interaction and immersion. Overall, the top-notch voice acting elevates the game's storytelling and character depth, making it a standout feature despite minor flaws.

Technical Performance

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE

Tech Score

Positive (80-100)

24%

Mixed (50-79)

71%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.

In terms of the technical performance, The Forgotten City received mostly positive reviews across different gaming platforms. Starting with the positives, the Xbox Series X version, as mentioned by TheGamer, did not encounter any major technical issues. Similarly, IGN's review of the Xbox One version also highlighted the absence of major technical problems and the game benefiting from quality-of-life features. The Xbox One version, according to TheXboxHub, had occasional slowdowns and small glitches, but they did not significantly impact the overall enjoyment of the game. Moving on to the negatives, the PS4 version, as noted by Guardian, experienced some technical hiccups such as texture pop-ins and occasional loading issues. However, it was mentioned that the game could still be completed without crashes or hard resets. The PS5 version, according to Gaming Age, had some slowdowns, freezes, and glitches, but they did not distract from the overall experience. However, Push Square's review mentioned technical flaws affecting the overall stability of the game, such as scenery not spawning properly, hitches and pauses during gameplay, and set pieces and animations not playing out properly. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that The Forgotten City generally performed well in terms of technical performance. Positive reviews from TheGamer and IGN for the Xbox versions, as well as TheXboxHub's mention of minor glitches, indicate a smooth experience on Xbox consoles. The PS4 version had some technical hiccups, but it was still playable according to Guardian. The PS5 version received mixed reviews, with Gaming Age stating that the technical issues did not significantly impact the overall experience, while Push Square highlighted stability issues. The PC version had some technical issues mentioned by AusGamers, GameCritics, and WellPlayed, but they were not considered major problems. The Switch version, however, received some negative feedback, with GamingTrend mentioning frequent frame rate fluctuations and crashes in the cloud version, and Nintendo Life noting freezing loading screens and being booted back to the start screen if left idle for three minutes. Overall, while there were some technical issues reported across different platforms, the general sentiment among the critics is that The Forgotten City's technical performance was satisfactory, with the Xbox versions receiving positive feedback and the PC version having minor issues that did not significantly impact the gameplay experience. The Switch version, however, faced more significant technical challenges, including frame rate fluctuations, crashes, and freezing loading screens. Despite these issues, the game was still considered playable on all platforms, and the technical performance did not overshadow the overall enjoyment of the game for most critics.

TL;DR

technical performance

The Forgotten City received mostly positive reviews for technical performance, with Xbox versions praised for smooth play. PS4 had minor hiccups, PS5 faced mixed reviews, and PC had minor issues. Switch version had more significant problems, but overall, technical performance did not detract from the enjoyable experience for most critics.

Replay Value

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE

Replay Score

Positive (80-100)

52%

Mixed (50-79)

45%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.

The opinions of the critics regarding the replay value of The Forgotten City are largely positive. Many critics highlight the multiple endings and the importance of exploring different narrative threads and choices. Pure Xbox, XboxAddict, Guardian, COGconnected, Gaming Age, Softpedia, Game Informer, GameCritics, GameStar, Noisy Pixel, PC Gamer, PC Invasion, Player 2, The Indie Game Website, Twinfinite, Wccftech, GamingTrend, Nintendo Life, and NintendoWorldReport all mention the presence of multiple endings, indicating that players can experience different outcomes depending on their choices and actions. This adds replay value to the game, as players are encouraged to replay it to uncover all the possible endings. The time loop mechanic is also mentioned by IGN, which further enhances the replayability of the game. On the negative side, Video Chums mentions that the game can be completed in less than 5 hours, and once all the endings are seen, there is no replay value. Additionally, they note that more variety in items and collectibles would have been nice. AusGamers mentions some tracking and quest progression issues, which may hinder the overall replayability of the game. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that The Forgotten City offers significant replay value. The presence of multiple endings, non-linear quests, time loop mechanics, and the ability to make impactful choices all contribute to the game's replayability. Critics such as TheGamer, TheXboxHub, ZTGD, and The Indie Game Website specifically mention the game's ability to provide different narrative branches and paths, making it highly replayable. While there are some criticisms regarding the game's short runtime and lack of variety in items and collectibles, the overall sentiment is positive, with critics emphasizing the game's replay value and the desire to uncover all the different endings and narrative possibilities.

TL;DR

replay value

Critics rave about The Forgotten City's replay value, praising its multiple endings and narrative branches. The game's time loop mechanic and impactful choices enhance replayability, with players encouraged to uncover all possible outcomes. Some critics mention short completion time and lack of item variety as drawbacks, but overall, the consensus is overwhelmingly positive on the game's replayability.

Overall Verdict

CRITIK

OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION

Critik Score

Positive (80-100)

85%

Mixed (50-79)

15%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.

The opinions of the critics regarding the overall verdict of The Forgotten City are overwhelmingly positive. Many critics praised the game for its engaging story, standout writing, and clever gameplay mechanics. Pure Xbox commends the game for its great use of the time loop mechanic and XboxAddict gives it a highly positive overall score of 9.0 out of 10. IGN describes it as a triumph, expanding upon the original mod with fresh twists, engaging characters, and a captivating story. The Guardian considers it a tremendous achievement, offering a labyrinthine sandbox experience with a compelling story and enjoyable interactions with the residents. AusGamers applauds the game for its captivating narrative and memorable characters, while Game Informer highly recommends it as a unique game that pulls players in with its world and words. The Indie Game Website praises The Forgotten City as a compact marvel with intelligent and complex writing, stunning visuals, and replay value. Despite the overwhelmingly positive sentiment, there were some criticisms raised by a few critics. TheGamer acknowledges that the game has some flaws but still considers it a trailblazer that everyone should play. Push Square criticizes the combat and technical setbacks, while Slant Magazine feels that the writing sacrifices character development and the conclusion feels like a cop-out. GamingTrend mentions technical issues and poor visual design as downsides of the game. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that The Forgotten City is a highly recommended game with a great story, clever gameplay mechanics, and excellent writing. It is praised for its captivating narrative, engaging characters, and thought-provoking themes. The visuals and quality-of-life features are also highlighted as enhancing the overall experience. Critics such as ZTGD, COGconnected, and WellPlayed highly recommend the game, while Nintendo Life and NintendoWorldReport acknowledge the downsides of the cloud version but still consider it a great choice for the game. The positive sentiment expressed by the majority of the critics indicates that The Forgotten City is a game that is well worth playing.

TL;DR

Critics rave about The Forgotten City, praising its engaging story, clever gameplay mechanics, and standout writing. Pure Xbox and XboxAddict give it high scores, with IGN calling it a triumph and The Guardian hailing it as a tremendous achievement. Despite some criticisms about combat and technical issues, the consensus is overwhelmingly positive, with critics recommending the game for its captivating narrative, memorable characters, and replay value. Overall, critics agree that The Forgotten City is a must-play with great storytelling and immersive gameplay.

CRITIK

Reviews

110 reviews found

100

Gaming Age

PlayStation 5

Oct 12, 2021

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The reviewer loved The Forgotten City and recommends playing it.

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100

WellPlayed

Jul 27, 2021

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The Forgotten City is described as a beauty to behold, offering extraordinary moments of contemplation regarding morality and the laws we exist under. It is praised for focusing on genuine ideas beyond aesthetic escapism and is recommended for players who appreciate this type of game.

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100

Player 2

Aug 5, 2021

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The Forgotten City is praised for its strong narrative, unique gameplay mechanics, and contemplative themes. It is recommended for players looking for a unique and thought-provoking experience.

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ZTGD

Xbox One

Jul 30, 2021

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The review highly recommends The Forgotten City, praising its narrative, gameplay, and visuals despite the lackluster facial animations.

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NintendoWorldReport

Nintendo Switch

Sep 29, 2021

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The review highly recommends The Forgotten City, praising its story, characters, and thought-provoking nature. It acknowledges the downsides of the cloud version, but still considers it a great choice for the game.

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PC Invasion

Jul 27, 2021

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The Forgotten City is a unique, wonderfully written, and captivating experience that is recommended for all fans of narrative games.

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Game Informer

Aug 1, 2021

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The Forgotten City stands tall as a unique game that pulls you in with its world and words. It offers a different type of gameplay experience and is highly recommended.

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IGN

Jul 27, 2021

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The Forgotten City is a triumph as a standalone game. It expands upon the original mod with fresh twists, engaging characters, and a captivating story. The visuals and quality-of-life features enhance the experience.

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The Indie Game Website

Jul 29, 2021

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The Forgotten City is a compact marvel with intelligent and complex writing. It offers a clever story, immersive gameplay, stunning visuals, stellar voice acting, and replay value. History buffs and mystery fans will particularly enjoy this game.

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XboxAddict

Xbox Series X

Jul 27, 2021

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The review gives an overall score of 9.0 out of 10, indicating a highly positive verdict.

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