Key information
Press Start Australia published a review for Forever Ago, describing it as a redemptive Pacific coastal road trip undertaken by an older man named Alfred who is dealing with the recent passing of Audrey, his wife of forty years. According to the reviewer, the title also offers commentary regarding societal corporatisation and homogenisation.
The reviewer noted that Alfred starts out as a bitter and unapproachable protagonist, but praised his eventual character turnaround as handled perfectly within an uplifting narrative featuring relatable supporting characters. Piotr Michael delivers a stellar performance as Alfred, though the reviewer pointed out that musical tracks occasionally overpower the dialogue audio.
Mechanically, the reviewer criticized the title as a sluggish walking simulator with limited interaction. Players document the journey using a journal for photos and anecdotes, which the reviewer found banal and chore-like. Furthermore, the reviewer mentioned that the experience suffers from tiresome action, including a tedious rowboat sequence near the end.
Despite gameplay shortcomings, the reviewer praised artful daydream sequences triggered by Audrey's favorite flower, as well as picturesque environments and grounded character models. Ultimately, the reviewer stated it is difficult to recommend as a game due to lack of fun mechanics, yet concluded Alfred's story remains worth experiencing.
