Forgotlings: Is It Worth It? Our Honest Verdict
Introduction
Every so often, a game comes along that feels like it was pulled straight from a storybook. Forgotlings, the latest from Danish studio ThroughLine Games, is exactly that kind of experience. Known for their 2018 cult hit Forgotton Anne, the team has returned to the Forgotten Lands with a prequel that trades some of that game’s mechanical complexity for a more cinematic, narrative-driven adventure.
We went into Forgotlings with high expectations. The hand-drawn art style promised something special, and the premise of a world inhabited by lost objects with souls is the kind of high-concept fantasy that either soars or stumbles. After spending considerable time with Fig and the crew of the Volare, we’ve come away with a verdict that’s as beautifully complicated as the game itself. It’s a title that will enchant some players while leaving others wishing for more substance beneath the surface.
Quick Verdict Box
Forgotlings is a visually breathtaking 2D action-adventure that prioritizes story, character, and atmosphere over mechanical depth. Its hand-drawn world is nothing short of magical, and the narrative carries genuine emotional weight. However, simplistic combat, shallow platforming, and a handful of technical hiccups prevent it from reaching the heights its presentation deserves.
Buy it if…
- You value story-driven experiences and memorable characters over challenging gameplay
- You’re a fan of hand-drawn animation and Ghibli-inspired aesthetics
- You enjoyed Forgotten Anne and want to return to the Forgotten Lands
Skip it if…
- You’re looking for deep, demanding combat or complex platforming
- Technical bugs and occasional performance issues are dealbreakers for you
- You prefer gameplay-first experiences where narrative takes a back seat
What Are Forgotlings?
Forgotlings is a cinematic story-driven action-adventure set in the Forgotten Lands, a magical realm where lost and forgotten objects from our world come to life. You play as Fig, a former posing doll who escapes slavery and becomes captain of the sentient lightship Volare. Your mission: unite five warring tribes against a mysterious looming threat. The game blends 2.5D platforming, stealth, combat, dialogue-driven decision-making, and even an in-world board game called INA. It serves as a direct prequel to Forgotton Anne, expanding the lore of this unique universe.
Gameplay & Mechanics
The Core Loop
Forgotlings follows a familiar pattern. You travel to new locations, speak with inhabitants, engage in combat or stealth, solve light puzzles, and occasionally participate in the INA minigame. The structure is straightforward, almost episodic, with each new area introducing fresh characters and narrative beats. This simplicity is a double-edged sword; it keeps the pacing brisk but rarely surprises.
Combat: Hack-and-Slash or Stealth
Combat offers two primary approaches. You can charge head-on with hack-and-slash action or strike from the shadows with stealth takedowns. In practice, the combat feels serviceable but shallow. After a somewhat slow start, the game introduces a relatively simple combat system. There are no skill trees, no upgrades, or a ton of different gear to find here. For a game that wears its action-adventure badge proudly, the combat feels like an afterthought.
Platforming and Puzzles
Platforming is equally streamlined. You’ll jump, dash, climb ropes, push crates, and occasionally move in and out of the screen at select points. It works, but it never challenges or surprises. The puzzles are similarly light, often boiling down to simple object manipulation or sequence triggers. The game clearly prioritizes keeping you moving through its story rather than testing your reflexes or problem-solving skills.
The Dialogue Wheel
One of the more interesting mechanics is the dialogue wheel, which appears in the lower-left corner during conversations. It allows you to shape interactions, sometimes with meaningful consequences. While not as robust as a full RPG dialogue system, it adds a layer of agency to the narrative and helps differentiate playthroughs.
Story & Presentation
Narrative
This is where Forgotlings truly shines. The story follows Fig, a character who starts as a somewhat dull protagonist but grows into a compelling lead as the narrative unfolds. The world is populated by an eccentric cast of talking objects, from living baking weights to floating alarm clocks with motorcycle goggles. Each character feels distinct and memorable, and the voice acting is top-tier, featuring talent like Amelia Tyler (Baldur’s Gate III, Hades II).
The narrative tackles themes of identity, unity, and survival with surprising maturity. It’s heartfelt, occasionally funny, and surprisingly thoughtful for a game about lost objects. The pacing is solid, though the first few hours can feel slow as the game establishes its world and characters.
Art Direction
Visually, Forgotlings is a masterpiece. The hand-drawn animation style evokes old classic cartoons and Ghibli films, creating a world that feels both familiar and utterly unique. All the animations look hand-drawn, which gives the game a very special feel. In an era of AI-generated art, it’s refreshing to see such solid, old-school craftsmanship on display. The design of the many amusing characters is truly polished and simply in a class of its own.
Audio
The orchestral score, performed by the Theatre of Voices, is magnificent, perfectly complementing the game’s emotional beats and sweeping vistas. The sound design is equally impressive, with each forgotten object having its own distinct audio personality. The full voice acting elevates the experience further, making the characters feel alive.
Performance & Technical
This is the roughest edge of Forgotlings. While our playthrough was generally stable, we encountered a number of technical issues that detracted from the experience. These included occasional frame drops, clipping through geometry, and a few instances where dialogue triggers failed to fire properly.
More concerning are reports from other players of more significant bugs, including softlocks that required reloading saves. On PC, performance was acceptable on mid-range hardware, though we recommend playing on an SSD to minimize load times. Console versions appear to run smoothly based on early reports, though we’d caution that the game’s technical polish doesn’t quite match its visual polish.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Stunning hand-drawn visuals – One of the most beautiful 2D games we’ve seen in years
- Memorable characters – The cast is charming, quirky, and wonderfully voice-acted
- Emotionally resonant story – Tackles mature themes with surprising depth
- Magnificent orchestral score – elevates every scene
- Unique world and premise – The Forgotten Lands feel truly magical
- Dialogue choices with consequences – adds replayability and player agency
Cons
- Shallow combat – Lacks depth, variety, and meaningful progression
- Simple platforming – Never challenges or evolves
- Technical bugs – Frame drops, clipping, and occasional softlocks
- Slow start – The first few hours take time to find their footing
- Limited replayability – Once you’ve seen the story, there’s little reason to return
How It Compares
Compared to its predecessor Forgotton Anne, Forgotlings is a step up in terms of visuals and world-building but a step back in gameplay complexity. Against genre heavyweights like Hollow Knight, it doesn’t compete mechanically, but it offers a narrative experience those games lack
Who Should Buy This?
Story lovers, if you play games for narrative, character, and atmosphere, Forgotlings will captivate you. The writing is strong, the voice acting is excellent, and the world is genuinely enchanting.
Fans of hand-drawn animation, This is one of the most visually stunning 2D games on the market. If you appreciate art for art’s sake, you’ll find plenty to admire here.
Forgotten Anne fans, Returning to the Forgotten Lands is a treat, and the connections to the original game add depth for returning players.
Players seeking a challenge, look elsewhere. Forgotlings is not a difficult game, and its mechanics never push you to improve.
Players who value gameplay over story, if you need tight platforming or deep combat to stay engaged, this game will leave you wanting more.
Players sensitive to bugs, While not unplayable, the technical issues are noticeable enough to frustrate.
The GLH Rating
Our Take
Forgotlings is a game of contradictions. It presents one of the most beautiful, heartfelt worlds we’ve ever explored, populated by characters we genuinely grew to love. The narrative carries real weight, and the voice acting and score elevate every scene. But beneath that stunning exterior lies a game that’s mechanically thin, technically rough, and ultimately, less than the sum of its parts. We wanted to love Forgotlings unconditionally, and in many ways we do. But we can’t ignore the fact that the gameplay feels like an afterthought, and the technical issues are impossible to overlook. It’s a game we recommend with reservations, one that will enchant some and frustrate others.
- Overall Score: 7.5/10
- Star display: ★★★½☆
- Verdict word: GOOD
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Gameplay | 6.5/10 |
| Story & Presentation | 8.5/10 |
| Performance & Polish | 6.0/10 |
| Value for Money | 7.0/10 |
| Replayability | 5.5/10 |
FAQ
Is Forgotlings worth buying?
Yes, if you prioritize story, visuals, and character over deep gameplay. The narrative and art direction are exceptional, but the combat and platforming are shallow.
Is Forgotlings worth it on console?
Yes, the console versions (PS5, Xbox Series, and Switch) appear to run well, though we recommend checking recent performance patches before purchasing. The game launched on consoles June 18, 2026.
How long to beat Forgotlings?
Expect around 10 to 12 hours for a main story playthrough, with completionist runs extending to 15 to 16 hours.
Is Forgotlings worth full price?
At $19.99, the price feels fair for the experience, especially given the high production values in art, voice acting, and music. However, if you’re primarily a gameplay-focused player, you may want to wait for a sale.
Is Forgotlings a Metroidvania?
It has light metroidvania elements, including exploration and returning to previous areas with new abilities, but it’s much more narrative-driven and linear than genre staples.
Do I need to play Forgotton Anne first?
No. Forgotlings is a prequel, so you can play it without any prior knowledge. That said, fans of the original will appreciate the connections and expanded lore.
Is there a demo available?
Yes, a demo is available on Steam, allowing you to try the game before buying.
Conclusion
Forgotlings is a beautiful, heartfelt adventure that prioritizes story and atmosphere above all else. Its hand-drawn world is a genuine work of art, and the characters and narrative will stick with you long after the credits roll. But the gameplay is disappointingly shallow, and the technical issues are hard to ignore. If you’re the kind of player who values narrative over mechanics, this is an easy recommendation. If you need your games to challenge and engage you on a mechanical level, you may find yourself frustrated. For us, Forgotlings earns a GOOD rating, a game we admire more than we love, but one we’re still glad we played.
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