Forgotten 23 | PC Review
When this spooky little number came across the desk, it instantly caught my attention. The game is Forgotten 23, published and distributed by KovalGames. The noir-flavored space aesthetic and sound design brought me in. After playing the game, this was a far different game than I expected from the trailer. While done well, this game did not deliver to my expectations.
Where Did Everyone Go?
The world of Forgotten 23 is a space station post “everything works” – as many games do. The wrinkle here is that you have limited time. You navigate the station, collecting information from written and audio logs, and solving various puzzles—such as opening doors, restarting systems, and repairing objects, desperately trying to figure out where everyone has gone – all within 23 minutes.
Getting choices wrong during puzzles wastes precious time, and when your time is up, you are reset back to the beginning. This time with the knowledge of everything you have learned so far, and any memory fragments that you pick up.
The world feels lived in, lonely, and at times straight up bleak. The sound design is fantastic, with a score that adds to the feeling of isolation and dread just beyond the next door.
Not Without Its Faults
When the game first released, there was no controller support, framerates were unstable, and there was almost zero explanation on how to use anything in the game. KovalGames have issued hotfixes throughout the year, and with the version 1.1, a lot of the technical issues were addressed. Controller support has improved as well. They’ve even squashed a bug that wouldn’t allow you to progress.
Moving around the station has also improved, but is still frustratingly clunky at times. Frame rate is far more stable than at launch. While I personally did not experience straight up game crashes, it was a common complaint on Steam; the developers have stated in their 1.1 notes that this was specifically addressed.
As of this writing, version 1.1 is available on PC and Mac through Steam. It runs well on the ROG Ally X (where I did the majority of my playing). On the store page it is listed as “Playable”, but not “Deck Verified”, so Deck owners proceed with that in mind. In addition to adding Mac OS support, version 1.1 also has also introduced a “Retro Style”, which is a pixelated version of the game that has serious Amiga vibes.
Good Game, But Not a Game for Me (Which Is OK)
From the music, to the clever design, to taking the time to hire voice actors for dialogue, KovalGames’ (which is ONE person) passion comes through in this game. The ambition of what this game wants to be and what I personally experienced did not meet in the middle. As much as I want to deny it, as I age, I find myself with less patience for what often felt like intentionally obscure puzzles and unclear game mechanics, making the experience feel more like a chore than an enjoyable game. If, however, you enjoy games for these specific reasons, then this is a game for you. I would keep an eye on this developer for future projects as something might land for you in 2026 and beyond.
To hear me talk more about Forgotten 23, be sure to listen to the July 22nd, 2025 episode of The Gaming Outsider Podcast around the 1:22:42 time stamp.
This review is based on a PC copy of Forgotten 23 provided by indie.io for coverage purposes. As of the time of this writing, it is exclusive to this platform.
Forgotten 23
$12.99
Pros
- Mood-Setting Sound Design
- Spot On Music
- Premise with Lots of Potential
Cons
- Obtuse Game Mechanics
- Puzzles Get in the Way Instead of Rewarding
