But what is considered a sin?
How much can you get away with before it becomes a sin?
And what does that suffering entail?
You’ll soon learn, because sin inevitably comes.
Fortunately, the citizens are blissfully unaware that they’re living in a time loop.
Without your intervention, every day will play out exactly the same.
The Golden Rule has serious consequences but so what?
You carry over your knowledge between loops and, more importantly, your inventory.
You’ll learn the city too; its hidden spots and shortcuts.
You do also gain a few tools to help move about, like a very mild metroidvania.
They are a great set of nested mysteries.
Unpicking them through exploration, detective work, bribery, intimidation, and good deeds is very satisfying.
Some good startling revelations in there, and moments I felt clever when my suspicions proved correct.
But I might most enjoy exploring the many (im)moral possibilities of manipulating people.
I can’t bring myself to be mean to pixels.
But here I know the time loop has my back and will wipe the slate clean.
The game knows the time loop has its back too, so it’s free to create dramatic consequences.
The risk of dramatic consequences also makes me think more about my dialogue choices, knowing my words matter.
Yeah, I lost a friend there.
Actually, there is one NPC I’m never unkind to: my absolute best mate, Galerius.
As well as being a lovely bloke, he’s also a helpful shortcut in time loops.
The Forgotten City will leave Game Pass on Tuesday the 1st of November.
If you like explore-o-mysteries, do have a go before then.
For a second (positive) opinion, see Alice Bee’sThe Forgotten City reviewfrom last year.
We named it one ofour favourite games of 2021too.
