Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

The Forgotten: It Begins places players squarely in the heart of New Orleans, tasking them with unraveling the disappearance of their friend Richard Haliburton. From the outset, the game emphasizes exploration and investigation, encouraging a methodical approach to every neighborhood, from the winding alleyways of the French Quarter to the shadowy depths of swamp-filled backroads. Players collect clues, piece together fragmented journal entries, and interrogate NPCs whose loyalties and motives are never quite clear.

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Puzzle-solving forms the backbone of the experience. Mechanics range from decoding cryptic symbols scrawled on the walls of an abandoned church to manipulating environmental objects to unlock secret passageways. Although none of the puzzles feel unfair, some may frustrate newcomers to adventure titles due to subtle hints and layered solutions. A hint system is available, but its limited usage encourages players to rely on observation and logical reasoning rather than brute-forcing every challenge.

Combat is not the primary focus, yet tension simmers whenever players cross paths with members of the Collectors. Skirmishes are deliberate and tactical, with resource management—limited ammunition, scarce healing items—adding weight to every confrontation. Stealth sections further mix up the pacing, requiring careful timing and silent takedowns to bypass heavily guarded sanctums. Overall, the gameplay loop of exploration, puzzle-solving, and occasional combat provides a balanced and immersive run through the eerie streets of New Orleans.

Traversal options also receive thoughtful design. Whether navigating by foot, hitching a ride on a rickety streetcar, or venturing into the swamps by boat, each mode of travel offers its own environmental hazards and atmospheric rewards. Day-night cycles and dynamic weather not only enhance immersion but also influence enemy behavior and puzzle accessibility, ensuring that each decision on how and when to explore feels meaningful.

Graphics

Visually, The Forgotten: It Begins excels at capturing the haunting beauty of New Orleans. The French Quarter glows under gaslamp street lights, its wrought-iron balconies and crumbling plaster walls rendered in meticulous detail. By contrast, the bayou areas are dripping with moss and murky waters, where gnarled roots and hanging Spanish moss obscure hidden dangers. Texture quality remains consistently high throughout, even in darker corners where suspense is at its peak.

Lighting plays a pivotal role in the game’s mood. Dynamic shadows cast by flickering lanterns dance across damp brick streets, creating a palpable sense of unease. Thunderstorms roll in with realistic rain effects and distant thunder, while the ambient audio—croaking frogs, rustling reeds, distant church bells—further immerses players. Reflections on wet pavement and water surfaces showcase an attention to graphical polish that few modern adventure games match.

Character models are expressive, from the haunted looks on NPC faces to the subtle animations that convey fatigue, fear, or determination. While some minor facial animations can appear stiff during cutscenes, voice acting and body language help bridge those gaps. The Collectors themselves wear elaborate, ritualistic attire that reflects the game’s occult themes, and their sinister presence is accentuated by glowing amulets and ceremonial masks that add depth to the world-building.

Performance-wise, The Forgotten runs smoothly on most mid-range hardware, maintaining a steady frame rate even in densely populated market squares or swamp sequences filled with dynamic foliage. Loading times are kept to a minimum, and texture pop-in is rare, allowing players to remain fully engrossed in their atmospheric surroundings.

Story

At its core, The Forgotten: It Begins weaves a tale of friendship, betrayal, and the occult. Richard Haliburton’s disappearance serves as the catalyst, drawing players into an underworld where black arts practitioners—known as the Collectors—wield terrifying powers. The narrative unfolds through a combination of environmental storytelling, journal entries, and dialogue-driven cutscenes that steadily ratchet up the tension.

Character development is a highlight, especially in the relationship between the player’s protagonist and secondary characters such as local historian Delphine Rousseau and investigative reporter Marco Alvarez. Each brings unique perspectives on Richard’s last known activities, and side quests allow for deeper exploration of their backstories. As secrets emerge about the Collector’s true objectives, moral ambiguities arise, forcing players to question whom they can trust.

The plot occasionally leans into supernatural horror clichés—ritual sacrifices, whispered incantations, eldritch symbols—but skilled writing and strong pacing ensure these elements feel fresh rather than derivative. Twists reveal connections between Richard’s research and a long-buried New Orleans tragedy, anchoring the supernatural spectacle in emotional stakes that resonate beyond jump scares.

Moreover, optional lore discoveries enrich the main storyline, from antique tarot cards that illuminate the Collectors’ hierarchy to hidden recordings that fill narrative gaps. Players who delve into these extras are rewarded with a more nuanced understanding of the game’s mythos, lending extra weight to the climactic revelations that drive the story forward.

Overall Experience

The Forgotten: It Begins delivers a thoroughly immersive journey through a haunting vision of New Orleans. A carefully crafted blend of puzzle-solving, exploration, and occasional combat keeps gameplay varied, while the atmospheric graphics and audio design deepen the sense of dread. The pacing strikes a satisfying balance between investigative downtime and heart-pounding encounters with the Collectors.

Replayability is bolstered by multiple possible endings, determined by key decisions players make throughout the story. Choosing whether to ally with certain NPCs, uncover hidden ritual sites, or rescue captured townsfolk can significantly alter how the narrative resolves. This branching structure encourages at least one replay to see all possible outcomes, adding substantial value for adventure enthusiasts.

Technical polish is commendable, with minimal bugs reported and prompt post-launch patches addressing any lingering issues. Multiplayer features are absent, but the single-player campaign is robust enough to justify the purchase on its own merit. DLC plans for additional case files and challenge modes promise to extend the game’s lifespan even further.

In sum, The Forgotten: It Begins stands out as a compelling adventure game that marries an intriguing mystery with a richly detailed setting. Whether you’re drawn to atmospheric horror or thought-provoking puzzles, this title offers a memorable—and sometimes chilling—experience that should satisfy fans of both genres.

Retro Replay Score

5/10