Review - Forever Ago

Roberto Nieves

60 minutes ago

7 min read

https://youtu.be/AeHgQ29sukE?si=RHgI6FT4mVhXFgHT

Developer: Third Shift

Publisher: Annapurna Interactive

Available on: PC (Steam, Epic Games Store), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch

Reviewed on: PlayStation 5

What’s in a picture taken on a camera? The camera has no idea what it is looking at. It is a machine to capture a moment in time. So, what is in a picture? Is it a reminder? A fond memory? Is it identity? You can’t plan life, and so many different things happen at any moment. Among them is one of the hardest parts of life to find, and that is closure. Things come to an end, oftentimes unexpectedly. Closure can be one of the hardest things to find in life, but if you can find it, you find peace.

Forever Ago is a game focused on closure, told through the lens of a couple who draw strength from their bond and nature. It’s a game all about exploring these themes, while providing a story that is humorous, heart-breaking, and yet hopeful. While it is a short game, it is a poignant and reflective experience about what we do to find closure and peace.

A Moment in Time

It is 1974; Alfred and Audrey are students on an assignment. There’s been plenty of chemistry between the two as friends and students. Their assignment takes them through a nature trail and to the local waterfalls. Their moments are captured by a shoot-and-print film camera, as photography is something special they share. While taking their photo in front of the falls, Audrey hesitates, then gives Alfred an unexpected kiss on the cheek. As the shutter clicks, we are immediately brought to the present.

Alfred is a senior now, far older than when he took that photo with Audrey. He has grey hair, moves slowly, and is alone. He reminisces about that moment with Audrey and walks back to his van. It’s a camper van, like the one Alfred and Audrey dreamed of having when they hypothetically fantasized about exploring nature together. Alfred pulls out a journal with a set of objectives to complete, and he mentions his dear 'Audie' as if he is out on a mission.

It is clear that Alfred has had a terrible stroke of fate after finding such enduring happiness. Something happened to Audrey, and Alfred is motivated to go on a journey in her memory. This journey is certain to bring heartache and pain, but Alfred is determined to find closure. With his camper, a road atlas, and the memories of Audrey burning strong, he sets out on this journey, which could be his only chance at peace.

Players take on Alfred's journey to fulfill one last adventure in honor of his wife. This narrative-driven journey will take us to various locations, from forests to deserts and everything in between. Along the way, players use the point-and-print camera to solve simple environmental puzzles to further the story, encountering various characters, some influencing Alfred’s resolution to complete his journey.

The journey begins

There are no secondary objectives or inventories to keep track of. This is a game all about being in the moment and following Alfred’s journey. For once, it is nice to play a game where saving the world isn’t the objective. Coming off of playing Marvel’s Wolverine and Ace Combat 8: Wings of Thieve, this is a nice experience where players simply live the story. However, Forever Ago is no walking simulator. Players need to explore and take pictures to progress through the tale.

Forever Ago has players interact with the environment through the camera and interaction prompts. The game doesn’t want to complicate players and streamlines the interactive moments. Using the camera is fun and inventive, as it is integral to the plot and story. Using the camera and interacting with photos captures memories for Alfred and solves specific objectives, such as locating a very particular flower that Audrey liked. Players are free to use the camera at their discretion to photograph other objects and put them in a photo book.

For a narrative game like Forever Ago, the story and its presentation need to be in a position where they not only invite the player but also give the right amount of information for immersive storytelling. Given the subject matter, the game has to strike a balance as well. Forever Ago threads that needle between its exceptional visual and audio presentation, as well as the story that it tells. Forever Ago is a game where the graphics and audio complement Alfred, as well as his journey of closure and redemption. The soundtrack by Clark Aboud, in particular, is remarkably strong.

Forever Ago uses a low-polygon, colorful aesthetic with simple designs to tell its world. The characters are rendered with enough polygons, with dots in their eyes as opposed to any finer detail. It's a quaint visual choice that makes the game light and cozy to look at and play. The environments look and feel remarkable as well. It’s a very photogenic game, with scenery that feels like airbrushed paintings filled with different hues of color. I found myself taking pictures of the scenery, in particular.

Peace and Closure

The core strength of Forever Ago is its story, and it is a poignant story that gives one hope. It’s a fascinating case study of a man who experienced blissful happiness, only to then be struck by something beyond his control, seeing dreams crash and consistent suffering. It’s a tale about what we do when these things happen, and how we respond to grief. In the sadness, Forever Ago is a moving experience that instills this feeling that somehow, there is the perseverance to go on and be reminded of who we are.

An identity can be shaped by the memories shared. Forever ago isn’t about simply revisiting the memories for nostalgia's sake or to remember the good times, but to rebuild and remind someone who they are. It’s easy for one to get hopelessly lost in the sadness and grief, resenting the world around them. Through interaction, a journey, meeting a stranger, maybe even having a four-legged companion, can dilute that resentment.

It’s easy to empathize with Alfred. He’s lost so much and doesn’t see the faith. The world around him has changed, and at some points, he snaps at others. He even resists help. It’s a study of the damage that grief and resentment can do, and the isolationism that it can cause. It’s an understandable situation, and my heart grieved with Alfred as he traversed this redemption journey. He isn’t alone, however, and it's through the faith of others, and a stray dog, that he is able to find the courage to go through.

The game also encourages exploration of the environment and tells flashbacks through the camera in visually expressive moments. The camera is the connective tissue for Audrey and Alfred, capturing those extraordinarily important moments lost to time. As someone who used my Nikon 3100 DSLR a lot in college, playing Forever Ago gave me the same heartwarming feeling of being able to capture those moments and be reminded that moments, both eventful and uneventful, are most important. Our minds can capture a lot of information, but just having something visual and held brings back some kind of feeling.

Capturing the moment

Forever Ago is also a lesson on non-religious faith. By faith, I mean the belief and confidence to continue to believe in the good of others, even when the journey feels hopeless. Alfred meets people with different viewpoints and lives that influence him in positive ways and give him the boost he needs to make it. I love how well it was handled too, as these different lives give a sense of how life goes on and people adapt despite struggle.

Alfred goes through that struggle quite a bit. The aforementioned resentment is stern, but there are dream-like sequences he encounters that show a mind in dark despair. It isn’t anything graphic, but it does the job in capturing just how shattering Alfred’s situation was and continues to be. His world turns black, and his home is fragmented, with items showing Audrey’s struggle with illness. It’s a stark reminder of where Alfred’s been and been put through.

Closure and redemption aren’t easy. It’s a hole to climb out of. It’s easy to get lost in the spiral of dark thoughts. It requires acceptance and letting go, which Alfred understandably struggles with. Forever Ago puts that part into perspective but doesn’t romanticize it. It’s a relatable and understandable conflict, with the game putting it into a sincere view. As someone with his own struggles, I’m glad Forever Ago strikes the balance between something dark without it becoming far too graphic.

There is so much to a moment, and Forever Ago’s biggest lesson is the importance of the moment, and how those moments can be guidance through the darkest times. It’s a tough lesson as well, as those moments can be lost and forgotten, yet we have our own minds, as well as the magic of cameras, to remember. What makes the game when the credits roll is loud and clear, making the bittersweet journey one that is optimistic.

Forever Ago

Forever Ago is Third Shift’s first game, and they clearly have a knack for telling mature, bold stories. Forever Ago is a few hours long and doesn’t overstay its welcome, making for a short but complete adventure. I feel the game could have been a tad bit longer to explore the lessons of loss, grief, and redemption more and extend the duration of the journey. However, what we have here is a game that tells a compelling story without overstaying its welcome. I can easily imagine Third Shift tackling other subjects in a similar format with a bold presentation.

Forever Ago is a game that will move you. It stirs emotions in the right way and tackles subjects with tenderness and sincerity. Its story grabs you to the very end, all the while complemented by a bold take in art direction and audio. While it may be short, some of the best stories are the ones that are straightforward and complete. I look forward to what is next from Third Shift and Annapurna. Forever Ago is a journey that will stay with me. Remember, you cannot plan life. Go on adventures!