Forever Ago Review (PS5) – Forever Ago marks the debut game from developer Third Shift, which positions themselves as a narrative-focused indie studio that is founded by two friends, with Annapurna Interactive publishing. Annapurna had a busy September what with the release of Control: Resonant, and Silent Hill: Townfall but more than anything; speaks to the diverse selection of games that Annapurna have in their publishing ranks.
However, it isn’t just enough to be different in the hectic climate of video game releases at the business end of 2026, you also have to good, so I suppose the question is: Is it good enough?
Forever Ago Review (PS5) – Short But Sweet
Road Trip
Forever Ago is a very simple, straightforward game. It’s listed as an adventure game, but I would argue it’s more of a walking sim. Taking control of our cantankerous elderly protagonist Alfred, we slowly navigate this modern world of inconvenient change as Alfred simultaneously navigates a heartbreaking personal tragedy.
As far as gameplay goes, you’ll be exploring small environments and interacting with readables and objects to reveal details and information about its characters and institutions, and sometimes you will partake in some very light puzzle solving.
And when I say light, I do mean light. A puzzle might just mean locating some fallen petals, which serve as the prime source of thematic imagery throughout this game. Locating enough of these petals sees Alfred equip his camera to bring some memories to life.
The instant camera does have other use mind you. Its primary function is to simply just take photographs of the locations, so you can build a scrapbook of new memories, which directly plays into the games narrative, and is probably my favourite part of the game, as it ties its themes to the gameplay functionality.
Forever Ago at its core really reminds me of a singular episode from Life is Strange 2 which focuses around a road trip, combined with Max Caufield’s photography, but with more freedom to actually take photos. Admittedly, Forever Ago is light on gameplay, but it is ultimately a story focused game.
I would say it even shares a similar art style in its simplicity, which I am a sucker for. It makes excellent use of colour to bring its various environments to life, be it the deep greens of a forest, or the vibrancy of its yellows and oranges of the desert. There is some beauty to the landscape shots in this game, and some really nice lighting during a pivotal scene at the end where flowers line the hallway.
Life is Change
Make no mistake, Third Shift’s Forever Ago definitely follows the company mantra in being a narrative experience first and foremost, and this is where the game really shines.
Forever Ago has Alfred take a journey, a road trip up north; to relive some memories of his late wife. Along the way you meet a cast of wholesome characters, and take in the sights and scenery of the ordinary, and the landscapes across the United States. Locations such as a gas station, a diner, motel, and a theme park amongst a handful of others.
Within these remote Americana environments lies the game’s true beauty. It highlights the changes that Alfred has experienced in his life, and how that frustrates him, especially when it comes to fulfilling the wishes of his late wife.
Whether that be struggling to understand the concepts of QR codes and apps as a means to sit in the booth at diner where he proposed to his wife; a diner that has now since been acquired by a chain restaurant business, or the overly helpful store clerk at a gas station, there is so much throughout the game, that really makes Alfred feel genuine and flawed, but human.
Punctuating each chapter will be a flashback to relive the memories from his earlier years and show those changes in direct contrast. It’s not often we get to play as an elderly man in video games, but I imagine I too will be frustrated by such changes later in my life. Honestly, I’m frustrated by some in my 30’s.
Forever Ago’s story carries real weight in its quiet exploration of grief, and while It can be overly saccharin with its supporting cast and as a result; take on too many somber narrative components, it does still deliver on its most important and central arc. There is a profound and relatable sadness to this game that is superbly executed.
Performance And Performances
The core of this game would be nowhere near as impactful without its fantastic voice cast, though. Piotr Michael puts in an excellent turn as the grumpy, forgetful, grief-stricken, but ultimately kind soul that is our protagonist Alfred. His chemistry with Audrey is really sweet and genuine, and the characters love for one another is brilliantly brought to life as a result.
All the while, the ever-excellent Cissy Jones provides the voice for the late Audrey, and Jones is once again superb, providing emotional weight in the particularly tragic scenes. I always enjoy seeing Cissy Jones in games such as this where there are few characters, as it seems like she thrives and can really flex her acting muscles. I can’t help but be reminded of one of my all time favourite games in Firewatch whenever I hear her voice.
While the voice actors are the beating heart of this heartbreaking story, the score as composed by Clark Aboud is really quite beautiful too, and does such a good job of emphasizing the somber albeit sometimes hopeful nature of Forever Ago.
While the performances are to be praised, the games performance was where it let itself down. I had to turn on the subtitles due to the sound mixing becoming muddled, and essentially muting characters that aren’t far from me, but not right next to me. Without subtitles I would have missed some key dialogue, particularly from its supporting cast.
On top of that, I ran into an issue where I couldn’t equip my camera, and one where some characters were sort of frozen on screen. Most frustrating though was the inability to interact with certain objects in the world, and having to finagle an angle in order to make the prompt appear.
Ultimately; Forever Ago feels a bit dated in the way it tells its story, despite that story being an effective and emotive one. I am a big fan of narrative focused games, but I feel as though Third Shift’s debut title needed more to it from a gameplay perspective, especially as a self-described adventure game, to really make it a memorable one. Although, I am very eager to see what they come up with next.
Review Code Kindly Provided By Publisher
Forever Ago Is Available October 8 On PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC.