The Forgotten City similar games & best alternatives

The Forgotten City

Mac, PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S • 2021

Should you play it?

The Forgotten City is a narrative-driven time loop adventure in ancient Rome. Discover the ruins of an ancient underground city, travel 2000 years into the past, and unravel the mystery of who destroyed it by cleverly exploiting the power to wind back time. The fate of the city is in your hands.

What works
  • Engaging and original story
  • Well-developed characters
  • Thought-provoking philosophical themes
  • Immersive historical setting
  • Multiple endings and replay value
Things to keep in mind
  • Short game length
  • Some clunky animations and minor bugs
  • Minimal and unpolished combat
  • Linear exploration with limited player customization
  • Some pacing issues in dialogue

What to play next

Similar games, hidden gems, and fresh directions from this game.

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Neo Cab

  • Tales of the Black Forest

  • Night Call

  • My Big Sister

  • Space Pilgrim Episode IV: Sol

  • Grimm's Hollow

  • Disco Elysium - The Final Cut

  • Eternal Afternoon

  • OMORI
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • My Big Sister

  • Eternal Afternoon

  • Radiolight
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

Similarity map

Explore nearby similar games and see why they’re close.

How to use the graph
Similarity map

Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Why this game works” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

  • Purple star: this page’s game — everything on the map is relative to it.
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot for a screenshot preview, score, and top score gaps; click to compare in the panel on the right.
  • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers (hidden on purpose).

The Forgotten City: A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Survival, Violence, Competition, Thrill. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Survival, Intimacy. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Expression.

Why this game works

A motivational profile of the game, with the closest similar game for each player motivation.

  • Autonomy

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    "Players have freedom to explore, investigate, and solve puzzles with logical deduction and multiple dialogue options."

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    "Players have freedom to explore, investigate, and choose dialogue options affecting outcomes, with multiple endings and ways to solve puzzles."

  • Competence

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    "The game involves simple puzzles and interactions that require some problem solving but are not highly challenging."

    Capsule for Accounting (Legacy) Accounting (Legacy)

    "Game involves puzzle solving, investigation, and dialogue choices requiring thought, though combat and action elements are minimal and not challenging."

  • Competition

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    "No evidence of competitive elements; focus is on personal experience and story exploration without player comparison."

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    "No evidence of competitive elements; focus is on personal discovery and story progression without player comparison."

  • Continuation

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    "Players report engaging story and characters that encourage long play sessions and replay for different endings."

    Capsule for Long Gone Days Long Gone Days

    "Players report being drawn into the story, playing multiple loops and endings, with some replay value and engagement over several hours."

  • Cooperation

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    "Single-player experience focused on individual investigation and interaction with NPCs, no multiplayer or teamwork."

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    "Single-player experience focused on individual investigation and interaction with NPCs, no multiplayer or cooperative gameplay."

  • Creativity

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    "Players engage in combining clues, experimenting with dialogue, and solving puzzles creatively within a structured narrative."

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    "Players creatively solve puzzles and explore different dialogue paths and endings; however, gameplay is structured around a set narrative."

  • Domination

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    -5

    "No indications of exerting control or superiority over others; interactions are narrative-driven and balanced."

    Capsule for The Inn-Sanity The Inn-Sanity

    "No indications of exerting control or superiority over others; interactions are narrative-driven and balanced."

  • Escapism

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    "Players use the game to immerse themselves in a fictional adventure, escaping real life through story and exploration."

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    "Players use the game to immerse themselves in a rich historical and philosophical narrative, escaping real life through story and exploration."

  • Expectation

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    "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and passion for puzzles, mystery, and story, not obligation."

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    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and intrinsic motivation to explore story and mysteries, not out of obligation."

  • Experimenting

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    "The game encourages trying different dialogue options and puzzle solutions, exploring alternative routes and endings."

    Capsule for Indiana Jones® and the Last Crusade™ Indiana Jones® and the Last Crusade™

    "Game encourages trying different dialogue options, exploring multiple endings, and experimenting with puzzle solutions."

  • Exploration

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    "Players explore a detailed village and surrounding areas, uncovering secrets and story elements."

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    "Players explore a detailed Roman city environment, uncover secrets, and learn about characters and lore."

  • Expression

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    "Limited player customization; focus is on narrative and interaction rather than avatar or environment personalization."

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  • Fantasy

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    "Includes mythological creatures and gods, blending historical Roman setting with fantasy elements."

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    "Game features time loops, supernatural elements, and mythological themes set in an imaginative Roman city."

  • Fellowship

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    "Single-player game with minimal social or community interaction."

    Capsule for Assassin's Creed® Odyssey Assassin's Creed® Odyssey

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  • Growth

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    "Players develop understanding of complex story and solve puzzles, gaining insight and skills during play."

    Capsule for Strangeland Strangeland

    "Players develop understanding of story, characters, and puzzles, gaining knowledge and insight through loops."

  • Health

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    "No physical activity or health-related gameplay elements; typical sedentary gaming experience."

    Capsule for FINAL FANTASY XVI FINAL FANTASY XVI

    "No physical activity or health-related gameplay elements; typical sedentary gaming experience."

  • Idle

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    "Requires focused attention on dialogue, puzzles, and exploration without background or casual play."

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    "Requires focused attention on dialogue, exploration, and puzzle solving; not designed for casual or background play."

  • Intimacy

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    "Players develop emotional connections with characters through story and dialogue."

    Capsule for Headliner: NoviNews Headliner: NoviNews

    "Players form emotional connections with well-developed characters through dialogue and story."

  • Leadership

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    "No leadership or group management elements; player acts individually within narrative."

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    "No leadership or group management mechanics; player acts individually within narrative."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

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    "Progression is narrative-based with unlocking new dialogue and endings rather than item or power accumulation."

    Capsule for Emily is Away Too Emily is Away Too

    "Progression is narrative-based through unlocking dialogue options and story outcomes rather than item or power accumulation."

  • Relaxation

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    "Game provides a relaxing experience with balanced pacing and immersive storytelling."

    Capsule for Dreamland Dreamland

    "Game offers a balanced, immersive experience with thoughtful pacing and minimal stress or tension."

  • Sensation

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    "Visuals and sound are praised for immersion and atmosphere, providing sensory enjoyment."

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  • Status

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    "No social status or recognition systems; focus is on personal story experience."

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  • Story

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    "Highly praised narrative immersion with complex characters, multiple endings, and deep themes."

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  • Strategy

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    "Players engage in logical puzzle solving and planning to progress, requiring mental challenge."

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    "Players engage in mental challenge through puzzle solving, planning dialogue approaches, and managing time loops."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

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    "Some suspense and mystery elements exist, but overall the experience is more contemplative than thrilling."

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    "Some suspense and mystery elements present, but overall experience is more contemplative than thrilling."

  • Value

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    "Players generally feel the game offers good value for its price, especially on sale, given its quality and content."

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    "Players generally feel the game offers good value for its price, especially on sale, due to story quality and replayability."

  • Violence

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    "Minimal violence; gameplay focuses on puzzle solving and story rather than combat or destruction."

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  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

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    "Some elements of avoiding failure within time loops, but low risk and no traditional survival mechanics."

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Last update: 01/06/2026