The Forgotten City

 PlayStation 5
User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 86 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 59 out of 86
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 86
  3. Negative: 15 out of 86
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  1. Comradely
    Nov 23, 2021
    6
    Starts off promisingly when everything is a mystery to you. Stumbles over its premise several times over by the end though with the time-loop mechanic revealing basically nothing interesting other than the tombs. The ‘true’ ending is one of the corniest things ever sincerely conceived.
  2. elolugo
    Mar 5, 2023
    7
    Good game. 90% of gameplay time you'll spend in conversations. Play it only if you're subscribed to PS+ Extra
  3. Fyxhcl
    Mar 20, 2023
    7
    The Forgotten City is an investigative adventure set up in a ancient roman city.

    Controlling your character in a first person view, you'll have to explore the city, its houses, temples and surroundings, talking with all the citizens in order to understand who's going to break the Golden Rule ("treat others as you want to be treated"), a rule which has been set up literally by a god, and    The Forgotten City is an investigative adventure set up in a ancient roman city.

    Controlling your character in a first person view, you'll have to explore the city, its houses, temples and surroundings, talking with all the citizens in order to understand who's going to break the Golden Rule ("treat others as you want to be treated"), a rule which has been set up literally by a god, and whose breach will turn every person in the city into a golden statue. Luckily, during your investigation you'll have a useful gimmick at your disposal: every time the rule is breached and the apocalypse starts, the city major will open a time portal that will take you at the start of the day. Repeating the day several times, talking with everyone, and trying, loop after loop, different outcomes, you'll eventually understand what's happening in the city, and will be able to reach one of the available endings.

    The formula is simple, and works well. The "time loop" mechanic opens to a lot of investigative possibilities, trying the same dialogue more times or using your previous knowledge to influence the events of the current loop. The city is not huge, but you will need to explore it fully in order to learn all its secrets and understand what's happening, and the historical details that it contains are very interesting. Learning about it and discovering its secrets are very satisfying activities and will keep you entertained until you'll understand what's happening.

    The game isn't also free from defects: even if the city is built very well, graphics are not the best for this time, and characters really lack any animation other than walking or speaking, the game is pretty short (I think maximum 10 hours to see and do everything) and, despite the complete freedom in what to do, and the four different endings, the game events are mostly linear and will require to be "solved" in a specific way in order to progress the plot. Speaking of the plot, and without giving any spoiler, it is pretty cool but there is some pretty big hole in it.

    In conclusion, The Forgotten City is a good investigative adventure, that suffers a lot from being developed by a small team (simple graphics/animation, short story, plot holes), but at the same time uses a great formula and deliver a fascinating story and a satisfying investigative gameplay, for the time that it lasts. Definitely suggested if you like adventures, mysteries and/or the ancient romans!    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

19
#19 Best PlayStation 5 Game of 2021
77
#77 Most Discussed PlayStation 5 Game of 2021

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
85

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. INVEN
    May 27, 2022
    85
    The power to immerse into 6 hour gameplay originates from the great narratives of the game. Even though the animations and face expressions are a bit clumsy, The Forgotten City's deep story added on award-winning original mode is something that should not be missed by those who love mysteries and adventures.
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  2. Gaming Age
    Oct 12, 2021
    100
    It’s a fun game built around a tantalizing mystery, and once it gets its hooks into you, you’re guaranteed to want to keeping playing until you’ve uncovered all its endings.
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  3. GameOver.gr
    Sep 17, 2021
    90
    The Forgotten City is this year’s unexpected contender for the “GotY 2021” award. Exceptional writing and wonderfully built world, all come together in a wonderfully balanced adventure game that finds the golden line/ rule between the hardcore fist person adventures of the past and the more modern walking simulators, offering a deep experience for all type of players.
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