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.
Navigating the open-world environment requires you to gradually build a mental map of the city's winding streets and underground tunnels. Without an in-game map, exploration can be challenging at first, but the well-designed layout ensures that the city becomes more intuitive to traverse over time.
Interacting with the game's diverse cast of characters is a core part of the experience. You can engage in lengthy, branching conversations to gather information, uncover clues, and make decisions that impact the story. The exceptional voice acting and well-written dialogue draw you deeper into the world and the lives of its inhabitants.
The time loop mechanic is the cornerstone of the gameplay. If you or anyone else breaks the "Golden Law", the day resets, returning everyone to the start. However, you retain your knowledge and inventory, allowing you to approach problems differently on subsequent loops. This creates a satisfying cycle of exploration, discovery, and experimentation as you work to unravel the city's dark secrets.
Solving the mysteries often requires creative problem-solving, whether through dialogue, item manipulation, or even (optional) combat. The game presents you with moral dilemmas and difficult choices, where the consequences of your actions can significantly impact the story and its multiple endings.
While the main narrative is the central focus, the game also features optional side content that provides additional context and backstory for those willing to thoroughly investigate the city and assist its inhabitants.