Forever Ago

Developer: Third Shift
Publisher: Annapurna Interactive
Platforms: Steam (Windows; Steam Deck Verified), Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox for PC
Price: Usually $20, with a 10 percent launch discount (PS Plus required for the PS5 discount). Also available on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass

There are several aspects of Forever Ago that didn't totally work for me. The storytelling is occasionally clumsy and it's sometimes functionally clunky. For instance, prompts to interact with items tended to disappear and it often took a few moments of adjustment for them to pop back up. But despite these issues, I feel like I was supposed to play this game right now.

Forever Ago is a road trip adventure that tells the story of Alfred, an older man who's on a scavenger hunt of sorts. It factors in several of the places and memories that shaped his relationship with his late wife, Audrey, who set up this quest for him. As you might imagine, things don't really go according to plan. It's a tale about dealing with grief, discovering one's self after losing a defining part of their life and the incessant march of time. You'll explore, take photos, do some light puzzle solving and meet other characters.

The story is affecting (if not particularly novel) while the writing and Piotr Michael's portrayal of Arthur make it easy to sympathize with this abrasive, struggling character. Clark Aboud's lovely score even helped me get that one Bon Iver song the title references out of my head.

What strikes me the most about Forever Ago is its slow, deliberate pace, even if it's not particularly long. My mind is often racing at 100 miles an hour and distractions snatch away my attention more often than I'd like. Forever Ago was absorbing enough to capture my full focus. Most importantly, it feels honest and sincere. I found it soothing and had to sit with my thoughts for a while after finishing it, which means it achieved what the developers intended.

The Traitors: Interactive Game

Developer: Fusebox Games
Platforms: iOS, Android
Price: Free, with in-app purchases

Despite my best intentions, I am hooked on the latest season of The Celebrity Traitors. I am generally terrible at social deception games since I'm a rotten liar so, as with the aforementioned Among Us spinoff, a single-player spin on the format could be fun.

The action plays out in similar fashion to the show. The aim is to survive until the end of the game, either as a Faithful or Traitor. After picking a character trait, you'll choose daily outfits, tackle missions to increase the prize pot, forge alliances with other characters and either try to vote out Traitors or eliminate Faithfuls. I don't love that there are microtransactions here, but I'll still give it a go.

Shil

Developers: OSM Games, Nuostabūs Žaidimai
Publisher: OSM Games
Platform: Meta Quest. Coming to Steam later
Price: $15

The last time I heard about this trippy-looking puzzle platformer, back in May, it was supposed to be hitting Steam and VR next year, but it's already out on Meta Quest. The developers used silhouettes and a two-tone art style to create some striking visuals that mask secrets and threats.

The latest trailer for this horror-inflected game is almost enough to make me want to snap up a Quest headset so I can play it now. Maybe the Steam version (a release date for which is said to be coming "very soon") will prompt me to finally hook up the PS VR2 adaptor that's been next to my PC for over a year.

Echo Weaver

Developer: Moonlight Kids
Publisher: Akupara Games
Platforms: Steam (Windows, Mac; Steam Deck Verified; demo available), Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Xbox for PC, PS5 (with a one-hour trial for PS Plus Premium members), Switch 2
Price: Usually $20, with a 10 percent discount on Steam until October 22. Also available on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass

In similar fashion to my favorite game from last year, a "Metroidbrainia" called Öoo, you'll need to have your thinking cap on while playing Echo Weaver. Unlike in many Metroidvanias, your progress here is gated by your knowledge rather than unlockable powers. You'll start with all of the abilities you need to beat the game, but it might take you a while to figure out what they are and how to use them.

You'll also need to conquer a time loop. Here, time is a resource you can consume to heal, trade and even open up new routes. I'm into the art direction of this game, and I always enjoy having a glaive as a weapon. This particular one has reality-bending powers, which makes it even more appealing. While I may sometimes struggle with puzzles, there's little I like more in games than that "a-ha!" moment when you hit upon a solution. Echo Weaver seems like it could have quite a few of those.